Applied Last Year... Disaster... Try Again?

[kjoyce]

Hello,

I recently graduated w/ an M.S. in Mathematics from Montana State University. It was my undergrad as well. I applied to 6 schools last year, and didn't get into any of them (among them were U Oregon, U Utah). My application was not stellar in the Subject GRE and GPA, but I was encouraged by our faculty and peers to apply. (Subject GRE: can't recall... around 50th percentile and GPA: 3.7). I didn't get the rejection letters until the very last day (March-ish), and was fairly devastated, and considered changing my career choice...

Since, I worked on a research project over the summer with the computational biology department at MSU, then moved east to New York for personal reasons. I have been working as a Mathematics tutor, and I've come to the realization that the field of Mathematics is where my real passion is, and I am considering reapplying this year. My question is if anyone has had any success RE-applying after a year? Does anyone have any suggestions/warnings about not being in the traditional applicant role? Any recommendations on schools of realistic expectations of getting in, who, ideally, focus in Dynamics or Topology? It's too late to re-take GRE, but might it be worth it to take the Spring one and apply for spring or next fall even? Does my situation lower my chances, hence, I should consider lower ranked schools or, even, reapplying at all? I don't know if I can afford another round of rejection letters (financially or emotionally) but I will certainly risk it if there is more than a slight chance.

Thanks for any input

[noojens]

Tons of stories of folks who've reapplied with better results. The key is to be able to demonstrate that you've put some hard work into improving your preparation for grad school -- and it seems like you have. I encourage you to reapply... just make sure to get your letters of recommendation in on time, k?