Poor Study Abroad Grades for PhD

[shuggie]

I'll submit a detailed profile evaluation later for 2020 programs, but I want to gauge the effect of my study abroad grades on my application.  I participated in Budapest Semesters in Math and took the following courses: Measure Theory (C+), Functional Analysis (B+), Combinatorics (A), and Complex Analysis (B). I won't make too many excuses, but the program and living overseas was challenging in new ways, I was sick for a huge portion of my time there, and I could have done significantly better. In any case I think it better prepared me for graduate coursework, but I'm worried how it will reflect on my math capabilities.

It is further disappointing because my early math career was rough, earning a C and two B's in Calc II, Calc III, and Linear respectively. The remaining ~60 credits of my math are all A's including two semesters of Real Analysis and Prob + Stat Theory (Heavy proof courses with a little bit of Measure Theory in Prob). Home institution is a regional school and not well known. One LOR is from a math professor who is somewhat known in Math. Some alumni from my school have gotten into top 20 Stat programs and several into top 50 in the last 5 years, but I don't think they had the poor early grades I have.

Overall GPA: 3.65

GRE: Q:166, V:157, AW:5.0

Was going to take subject test in October, but it looks like only top programs even ask for it. Is it worth taking if I do well on it? 

I'm applying to mainly to PhD programs with eventual goals of research+teaching in academia. I will consider MS programs if it is an absolutely necessary step. Overall how does this impact what schools I can apply to? Is considering schools like Iowa State and Ohio as reaches appropriate? 

 

Will post full profile later with research and work experience later.

Edited August 23, 2019 by shuggie

[Robatum1030]

Hello! Grad schools may not like the C+ you got in measurement theory. I'm not sure how much emphasis they'd put on the other courses you took abroad. Also, I believe courses in Europe have a different grading scale from the US? But I may be wrong. I've heard getting higher grades in courses abroad, like in Europe, is more difficult than in the US. Make sure to address the hardships from your first year and year abroad in your personal statements. That could help explain your story. It's definitely good that your grades increased sharply over time. Your GPA and GRE scores seem fine. Any research experience would be very beneficial for PhD programs, especially to outweigh your earlier low math grades.

Don't bother taking the subject test unless it's required or you think you can score very highly (>80%). Otherwise, the exam won't really distinguish you much from everyone else. You could apply to both Masters and PhD programs. I don't think Iowa State or Ohio would be reaches for you. However, posting your full profile will allow people to make better judgments!