Strengthening candidacy to apply again next year

[coffeeintotheorems]

If you don't get into any programs this year, what do you plan to do to make yourself a stronger candidate for next year's applications? I know there are other threads elsewhere on this topic; however, I would like this one to be specific to Mathematics (and Stats.)

I have two ideas for myself:

1) Target my studies towards preparing for qualifying exams at specific departments.

2) Get more specific about research interests. In my case, this would entail learning more about stochastic processes, mathematical finance, and the theory and practice of computational mathematics.

The purpose of the second idea is to show that I have a good sense of "where I'm going" (academically and professionally), and the purpose of the first is to (further) demonstrate that I am prepared for the basic hurdles of a PhD program.

In addition to these arguments, my assumptions are that 1) improving my GRE scores would be a waste of time and do nothing to make me look better, and 2) at this point there is little or nothing I can do to salvage my abysmal GPA (3.0).

[origin415]

I don't see how the first could help you get in, though I guess it would help once you got there.

The second could help make a stronger personal statement, which could definitely help. Having a clear idea of what you want to do and talking comfortably about the topics would make a good impression.

Something which may be very beneficial is to get a job in your field or do some research, if possible.

Overall, it seems like it was a really crappy year to be applying to grad school, hopefully next year will be better.

Also, apply to a ton of universities. Especially in these crappy times, admissions are a fickle process and there is no way to ensure success better than to hedge your bets. I applied to 10 and my professors were encouraging me to apply to more. If you can afford the fees, putting the work into the applications is entirely worth it.

[joro]

Find a research assistant position at a local university and even offer to work for free.

[coffeeintotheorems]

I don't see how the first could help you get in, though I guess it would help once you got there.

Good question. Specifically, the idea would be to actually take the past qualifying exams on my own, under timed conditions, and then show the results to the target schools.

Perhaps I should have waited until after April 15th to post this, since I'm interested in what others plan to do in this regard. Of course, I may be the only person on here myopic enough to apply to only four programs.

[Pierre]

Good question. Specifically, the idea would be to actually take the past qualifying exams on my own, under timed conditions, and then show the results to the target schools.

Perhaps I should have waited until after April 15th to post this, since I'm interested in what others plan to do in this regard. Of course, I may be the only person on here myopic enough to apply to only four programs.

It might work, but I highly doubt the exam thing will do much for your application. Grad courses in relevant subjects and possibly research on the other hand will of course without a doubt help you. Taking courses that coincide well with what you list as your research interests shows that you actually know some things about the topics you mention in your SOPs. And of course getting good LORs from relevant professors will open some doors. But you already know this...

Good luck, hope you don't have to worry when it's all said and done