xunoname Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Please comment on my PS and provide your valuable suggestions. Thank you. In my arithmetic class in grade one, I once was requested to recite the multiplication table. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xunoname Posted December 27, 2008 Author Share Posted December 27, 2008 It is complex for me to explain why I like mathematics. The internal causes maybe are: A. I like the feeling of discovery and imagination. B. I realize that mathematical principles govern the universe. The external causes come from many resources: wonderful books such as The Emperor's New Mind, by Roger Penrose, Mathematics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrero Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 To be honest, I think you are a little too down on yourself in this personal statement. I would remove the sentences concerning the GRE. That is precious space to waste on a winded excuse as to why you didn't do well (which I'm sure they hear about enough from other applicants). Better to use that time accentuating in greater detail faculty matches, etc., which are conspicuously absent from your statement. Of course, one alternative route would be to plan to visit the department during the time the admissions committee meets. Since you don't know when this is specifically, you can decamp at a local hotel, halfway house, etc. Watch surreptitiously for when they meet by hanging out in the hallways, then ask if you can sit in on their deliberations. When they come to your application, you can correct them on bad assumptions about your person, denigrate other applicants, and so forth. If they decide to reject you, as a matter of last recourse, you can lock yourself in the DGS's office and relay that you will not leave until you're admitted. Quid pro quo... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrero Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Oh, and I would remove the sentence, "I am just a beginner at this time, and do not have a fixed direction yet." That is just poison on a Ph.D. application. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xunoname Posted December 27, 2008 Author Share Posted December 27, 2008 Thank you. Ferrero. I really appreciate your answer. To be honest. I don't have a deep understanding of advanced research. So it is difficult for me to say which area I will sure do. Anyway, I do have more interest on ALgebra and combinatorics that other fields, but I have no ability to say I am suitable for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misterpat Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 It is complex for me to explain why I like mathematics. The internal causes maybe are: A. I like the feeling of discovery and imagination. B. I realize that mathematical principles govern the universe. The external causes come from many resources: wonderful books such as The Emperor's New Mind, by Roger Penrose, Mathematics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ferrero Posted December 27, 2008 Share Posted December 27, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xunoname Posted December 28, 2008 Author Share Posted December 28, 2008 To misterpat: good ideas! I will go through the essay and fix the flaws. To Ferrero: with all due respect, I don't think your joke is funny. Anyway, thank you for your useful advices. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
xunoname Posted December 28, 2008 Author Share Posted December 28, 2008 It is complex for me to explain why I like mathematics. The internal causes maybe are: A. I like the feeling of discovery and imagination. B. I realize that mathematical principles govern the universe. The external causes come from many resources: good books such as The Emperor's New Mind, by Roger Penrose, Mathematics Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t_ruth Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 I haven Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
seunghwane Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 The PS has many grammatical errors and spots where it gets a bit awkward. As others have noted, you should get a native English speaker/writer to edit your PS, because these little things will distract readers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
misterpat Posted December 28, 2008 Share Posted December 28, 2008 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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