Profile eval -- pure math

[wgldtb]

Type of student: Domestic Asian Male

Undergrad: US large public (very well-known)

Major: Math

GPA: 4.0

Courses: ~10 grad courses 

GRE: 166 Q, 167 V, 4.5 W, 86% mGRE

Experience/Other:

    -- Should have a good paper in the next few months with my adviser following work over the last 2-3 years (so maybe 4-5 by the time I apply

    -- Expect at least two (very?) good recommendation letters, all from well-known profs.

The issue is that there are very few top institutions (~2 out of the top 5, and nothing else near them) with anybody in the area that I am interested in, and my letters are definitely going to go mostly into my work in this area. The other schools that have people in this area are far worse as far as the quality of my likely adviser and the overall institution is concerned (top 50 maybe) is concerned.  What are the best chances I can expect to get into at least one of these two schools? 

[DanielWarlock]

In this case, maybe you can ask your current supervisor to refer you directly? It is different from just writing a letter. Your prof basically sets you up with his colleagues so that they will look after your application. I know people who got in this way. Also maybe that one faculty you are interested in does not even take any students this year. If so, you are throwing money away by applying that school.

[StatsG0d]

Check out the forum at www.mathematicsgre.com. This forum focuses more on statistics / biostatistics.