Masters in math student applying for PhD in math

[Future_Mathematician_]

Greetings Everyone!

This is my very first post, I hope I'm not breaking any rules.

Anyways, I'm currently in a math masters program at a "decent" university in California (I would rate it somewhere above the cal state system but below UCI).

I will be applying to a PhD in math this December and I'm wondering if I stand a chance at getting into a PhD at say UCSB.

I got my undergraduate degree from a Cal State and didn't graduate with such a great GPA (I think a 3.5).

My undergrad grades are:

linear algebra: A-

Abstract Algebra (1st time): D

Abstract Algebra (2nd time): B- (Algebra is definitely not my forte)

Real Analysis: A- (but we used a very "weak" textbook, not even a "real" real analysis book)

Complex Analysis: A

Probability (1st time): D

Probability (2nd time): B+

Number Theory A

Math Finance B

Numerical Analysis B+

Grad Course Number Theory B

So far I've taken two intro grad courses in algebra and two undergrad real analysis ( using Rudin as a textbook).

Grad Algebra (1st quarter): B-

Grad Algebra (2nd quarter):A-

undergrad real (1st quarter): A+

undergrad real: (2nd quarter): B

I'm currently taking the third and last course in the algebra grad sequence along with undergraduate advanced multivariable calc (also using Rudin as a textbook). My plan is to take (for my remaining year) the Real Analysis and Complex Variables graduate sequences (which use Folland/Royden and Conway as textbooks).

I would also like to apply to schools such as UCI, University of Arizona, New Mexico State, University of Nebraska, University of Oregon, and UCLA and UCSD. I know UCLA, UCSD and UCI are long shots, but I still want to try.

What are my chances of getting into any of these programs? My GPA is not that great (3.35) but up until now I have some experience as a 50% TA.

Any comments/suggestions that might help me are greatly appreciated.

Thanks

[Xero735]

Any REUs, GRE scores, Grants, papers, conferences presentations, or selecting reading?

[Future_Mathematician_]

Any REUs, GRE scores, Grants, papers, conferences presentations, or selecting reading?

Nope. None.

My general GRE scores were bad: only 750 in quant, I think a 335 on verbal and 4 in written.

I'm planning to just stick with the graduate sequences for my last year and I will try to PhD pass the algebra qual at this university, perhaps that would help...

Do you think I stand a chance at all...

Any suggestions of what schools to apply for math Phd (pure math, preferably algebra, analysis and topology)?

Edited April 10, 2011 by Future_Mathematician_

[hubris]

Nope. None.

My general GRE scores were bad: only 750 in quant, I think a 335 on verbal and 4 in written.

I'm planning to just stick with the graduate sequences for my last year and I will try to PhD pass the algebra qual at this university, perhaps that would help...

Do you think I stand a chance at all...

Any suggestions of what schools to apply for math Phd (pure math, preferably algebra, analysis and topology)?

Pump up the GRE scores and you should be game.

[Xero735]

Try picking one area you want to look into. Schools that are good in algebra (such as oregon) are not the same schools that are good at topology (such as Louisiana State). Any one particular area you are interested in?

[Future_Mathematician_]

Pump up the GRE scores and you should be game.

I think I forgot to mention that when I took the math subject GRE I got an embarassing score: 12 percentile

I'm planning to retake the math subject and score as high as I can (hopefully at least in the 80 percentile range).

Do you think I should also retake the general GRE? I'm sure I can improve the quant part, but I think it would be a waste of time to try to improve the vocab and written parts because English is one of my weaknesses.

[Future_Mathematician_]

Try picking one area you want to look into. Schools that are good in algebra (such as oregon) are not the same schools that are good at topology (such as Louisiana State). Any one particular area you are interested in?

So far, I kind of like stuff involving modules and category theory ( I guess homological algebra). But I'm also very interested in analysis. I will start the graduate analysis sequence in the fall, but so far I think I might like stuff involving operator theory. As for topology... I have not taken a course in it yet. I do know some of the basic stuff, but not at the graduate level. But I want to make sure that the schools I apply to have these three just in case that I change my mind later on. I think the University of Nebraska Lincoln has operator theory and some good algebra, but it's too far from California... I'm not sure if I should apply there...

By the way, how hard is it to get into the university of Oregon? How about UCI?

Thanks for answering back

[stansfield]

I don't think UCI is that hard to get into but their academic placement has been really good recently so maybe it's gotten very competitive again. Oregon has trouble attracting some really top candidates but it has world class faculty and organizes some superb conferences, it has some really talented undergrads who are mostly instate and know its reputation. The only problem with these is that a lesser reputed state flagship has to cover less material or same material in 2 semesters instead of 1 to accommodate the vast majority of the undergrads. That shouldn't really hold you back at the grad level.

I think you have a really good shot at those 2 and some better ones too, ucla is very good in those areas as well so get an 80+ on the subject test and A's in your cores and who knows admissions is a crap shoot anyway.

Edited April 11, 2011 by stansfield

[Future_Mathematician_]

I don't think UCI is that hard to get into but their academic placement has been really good recently so maybe it's gotten very competitive again. Oregon has trouble attracting some really top candidates but it has world class faculty and organizes some superb conferences, it has some really talented undergrads who are mostly instate and know its reputation. The only problem with these is that a lesser reputed state flagship has to cover less material or same material in 2 semesters instead of 1 to accommodate the vast majority of the undergrads. That shouldn't really hold you back at the grad level.

I think you have a really good shot at those 2 and some better ones too, ucla is very good in those areas as well so get an 80+ on the subject test and A's in your cores and who knows admissions is a crap shoot anyway.

Thanks! Do you have some tips on how to improve my math subject GRE? I have the Princeton Review "Cracking the mathematics subject GRE" and I also got the sample exam that ETS sends out. When I first took it, it didn't go so well because I didn't have time to prepare and my abstract algebra, linear algebra, and multivariable calculus were very rusty. I think now I'm in better shape regarding these three. I'm also planning to TA linear algebra and multivariable calculus.

What other resource can I use improve my score? What helped you?

Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge.

[Future_Mathematician_]

Pump up the GRE scores and you should be game.

Hi,

Do you have any tips on how to improve the math subject GRE? I already have the Princeton Review "Cracking the math subject GRE" and I also have the practice exam that ETS sends you. How did you prepare for it?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[coffeeintotheorems]

http://www.mathematicsgre.com/

Everything you need.

Hi,

Do you have any tips on how to improve the math subject GRE? I already have the Princeton Review "Cracking the math subject GRE" and I also have the practice exam that ETS sends you. How did you prepare for it?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

[hubris]

I think I forgot to mention that when I took the math subject GRE I got an embarassing score: 12 percentile

I'm planning to retake the math subject and score as high as I can (hopefully at least in the 80 percentile range).

Do you think I should also retake the general GRE? I'm sure I can improve the quant part, but I think it would be a waste of time to try to improve the vocab and written parts because English is one of my weaknesses.

Yes, I think you need to increase your general GRE. Quant strikes me as too low and you can easily increase it.

Of course, keep your salt shaker near by.

[hubris]

Hi,

Do you have any tips on how to improve the math subject GRE? I already have the Princeton Review "Cracking the math subject GRE" and I also have the practice exam that ETS sends you. How did you prepare for it?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Schaum's series, lecture notes, and one of the mathematical methods for physics books should help you out.

[mathmaniac55]

Hi,

Do you have any tips on how to improve the math subject GRE? I already have the Princeton Review "Cracking the math subject GRE" and I also have the practice exam that ETS sends you. How did you prepare for it?

Thanks for sharing your knowledge.

Hey man i'm not sure if you have looked into it, but have you thought bout going further with another math degree by chance? Obviously in today's professional world the more degree's you have the better it will look on your resume/get you prepared for a master or PHD. Just a thought I would highly recommend checking out different websites that show different opportunities in regards to careers in math like http://www.maa.org/careers/ which is a site that lays out multiple career options for you after you complete you degree. Another link I would check out is http://www.onlinemathdegrees.org which is a site that shows exact details of quetsions you might have about degree's how to get an online degree, salary questions etc. I know the GRE is important and I just thought this might be another option for you as well as you continue on with your education.

best of luck!