Should I apply for a PhD yet? How? Where?

[kirilk817]

Hello everyone,

I am an international student and got the International Baccalaureate in Spain. I am currently a sophomore student at Boston University studying mathematics and economics. I am thinking of applying for a PhD in applied mathematics with maybe some application in economics or finance. I am currently done with my requirements for the BA in mathematics and I am taking extra graduate courses in mathematics such as Analysis and Numerical Analysis, Probability (graduate level) and mathematics of financial derivatives. The minimum amount of credits to graduate at BU with my major is 128 (considering each course is 4 credits) and according to my plans I am thinking of graduating early, therefore finishing everything in 3 years and ending with 140 credits at the date of graduation (taking summer courses and overloading each semester). I was told that if I was sure that I wanted a PhD in mathematics, I didn't need to go through the Masters program. I have several questions about PhD schools in the United States or Canada and I could even consider going to the UK for the PhD, but my priorities should be in the US and be funded. (I am planning on applying this fall 2011 to get a response in spring 2012, at the time of the application I will have finished 120 credits). I am also looking for a university that will be funding the education with a scholarship.

-Is my situation possible, could I get into a PhD school with my current plan? My grades are good and my math grades are pretty good (I have taken 4 honors classes too). The grades in graduate math courses are all great. (I will also need to take the GRE in fall 2011) Does it matter that I have finished my BA in math and economics in 3 years rather than 4?

-What kind of grades do universities expect in terms of GPA and GRE? What graduate courses does the committee at the PhD school expect you to have before applying to the PhD program?

-Which universities are good in applied mathematics, have a good level and are funded?

Thanks!

[coffeeintotheorems]

-Is my situation possible, could I get into a PhD school with my current plan?

Yes.

Which universities are good in applied mathematics, have a good level and are funded?

A lot of important questions with no easy answers. Here are a few places to start your search:

http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/680423-colleges-applied-math.html

Those are some old rankings in applied math. You'll have to check by department about the most important questions--namely, funding and research interests.

http://www.mathematicsgre.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=495

http://www.mathematicsgre.com/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=357

These are two decent-sized collection of applicant profiles--grades, test scores, research, undergrad institutions--complete with what schools they were admitted to and which they weren't.

[Sleepy]

I think the best thing for you would be:

1. Look at the topic list for the GRE Math Subject test and make sure you take all of those courses.

2. Look at the requirements for the schools you plan on applying to.

If you cover all of those bases, I don't see what can prevent you from being qualified enough to apply for a PhD after you finish your bachelors degree.

As far as funding, I think all PhD programs are funded, at least the ones worth your time.

As far as grades and GRE, obviously, the higher the better. It is highly recommended that you get an 800 on the math section of the general test and obviously, almost no school will accept you without a 3.0 GPA. I think the GPA criteria will vary according to the level of difficulty of the classes you have taken.

As far as what schools are considered to be good: I would look at the rankings published online and obviously take other criteria into consideration like location, climate, surrounding area, etc.

Edited March 30, 2011 by Sleepy

[Xero735]

Lots of universities have funding. If you are really intersted in applied mathematics, make sure to go to an APPLIED mathematics department not a mathematics department that has applied math. NYU, MIT, Uwashington, Brown are all good choices. You need over a 3.5 or 3.75 to get into those programs. You need to have stellar GRE and subject GRE for these programs as well as a slew of tons of other stuff

[Messed_up_thrice]

I would look at language requirements at these departments as well. Though my guess is if you are a native Spanish speaker your French is probably pretty decent as well.

For example, UW does not have one.

[Xero735]

Don't waste your time looking at language requirements. I mean honestly, you are there for math, the translation stuff is a joke. Look at research groups and comps and make sure they are things you are interested in.