Chances with no Math GRE?

[NuclearFlea]

Hi guys,

 

I did a math undergrad (with applied math minor).  GPA 3.86, higher in math/science.  I did not ever take the Math GRE, because I did not decide I wanted to do a math PhD until a few weeks ago.  I'm also currently living in the UK as a Fulbright scholar, and I would have had to take two or three days out of my master's courses just to go down to London to take the test. 

 

Anyways, I'm applying to GAtech, Wisconsin, and Brown (applied math) for Math PhDs.  Technically, Wisconsin and Brown do not "require" the Math GRE.  But wisconsin says it can "severely disadvantage" your application if you do not have it. 

 

My profile is otherwise pretty good.  High undergrad GPA, three great letters of rec, 1 from research advisor, 1 from directed study course, and 1 from a professor I've personally been working with studying graduate level real analysis and measure theory in my spare time for almost a year now who also went to Wisconsin for his PhD.  A professor at Wisconsin also told me "your profile certainly looks interesting to me".

 

What do you think my chances are of admission?  I mainly want to work in PDE's, fluid dynamics, kinetic theory, mathematical physics etc.

Edited December 7, 2014 by NuclearFlea

[Clarinetist]

In short: if you're looking into pure math or applied math, you really should take the Math GRE. I'm just getting that impression from talking to many people. I don't have admissions committee experience or anything.

[Stat Assistant Professor]

I would definitely advise taking it. For applied math programs, it seems as though the adcoms are a lot less stringent about what counts as a "good" score.

[dynamic89]

I applied to a few applied and pure maths programs a couple of years ago without the maths GRE. I was waitlisted at Yale and rejected by others. My area was also PDEs (with irregular coefficients). So I guess there's chance but the GRE will definitely help.

[NuclearFlea]

In short: if you're looking into pure math or applied math, you really should take the Math GRE. I'm just getting that impression from talking to many people. I don't have admissions committee experience or anything.

 

Well, I'm applying this year so I don't have time to take it.  I would have taken it but I'm in another country temporarily and the logistics just couldn't work out.  I'm just wondering if I have a chance.  I have a friend who got a 6% on the Math GRE and he got into a top 30 school with a fellowship.  He said they just "considered him as someone who hadn't taken it".

 

 

I applied to a few applied and pure maths programs a couple of years ago without the maths GRE. I was waitlisted at Yale and rejected by others. My area was also PDEs (with irregular coefficients). So I guess there's chance but the GRE will definitely hel

Did you get accepted anywhere, though?  I've applied to a high 20s, mid 10s and a rank 5-10 school.  Two pure math programs (but applied research) and one applied math program.

[dynamic89]

No I didn't get accepted anywhere. I wasn't serious about attending last time--I only applied to harvard yale princeton and berkeley. Nevertheless a waitlist decision from Yale means there's a chance without the GRE. Having said that one of my recommendation letters was from a very well known PDE guru. 

 

I don't know..you'll probably crack a top 5 school if you take the GRE but maybe only manage top 10 or 15 without.

[MathCat]

I would say apply to any schools that do not require the mGRE (and there are some good ones that don't!), but only if you would be excited to go. Do not settle just because you haven't taken the test. If nobody takes you, write it and then apply again for 2016. Or, maybe consider applying internationally where the GRE is not required, if that is something that interests you.