Junior Seeking Advice About Real Analysis

[pulsars]

Hey GradCafe,

I'm a college junior who's been lurking on this forum for a while. I'm doing a Mathematics/Statistics double major with aspirations to apply to Biostatistics PhD (preferably) and Masters programs next year. However, I have not taken real analysis, which from what I've seen is an important course if one's shooting for the top programs.

Math courses I've taken: Multivariable Calc, Linear Algebra, ODE, grad-level Numerical Analysis, Probability, Mathematical Statistics, grad-level Applied Stochastic Processes

Stat courses I've taken: Regression Analysis, Bayesian Statistics, Statistical Computing

Would senior fall semester be too late to take Real Analysis I? I could potentially take the course at Columbia or Berkeley this summer, but I'm not sure if this is the most efficient way to spend my summer considering I could also do research at my school while studying for the GRE as an alternative

tl;dr Would it be perfectly okay from a PhD admissions perspective to take Real Analysis I in the fall of my senior year, or would I be better off taking it this summer to receive my grade on it before beginning my applications.

Thank y'all for your help!

pulsars

@cyberwulf because you seem extremely knowledgeable about Biostatistics programs based on your past posts ;p sincere apologies if my tagging bothers you haha

Edited March 16, 2016 by pulsars

[another_applicant]

I'm a college senior and I've been accepted to multiple Biostat PhD programs without taking Real Analysis. I don't say that to mean you shouldn't take it (you should! I think it is still a huge plus on an application and am not looking forward to taking it next year while in grad school), but rather that I was freaking out a bit while applying that nobody would accept me because I didn't have the course. Of course I'm no expert, but based on my experience I would say it's probably fine to take it in the fall of your senior year. From my understanding, most application committees don't meet until after the semester ends anyway and you'd be able to send your updated grades in. 

[pulsars]

doubleposted

Edited March 16, 2016 by pulsars

[pulsars]

@another_applicant thanks for your input and congrats! Have you decided on which program to attend yet?

Edited March 16, 2016 by pulsars

[another_applicant]

@pulsars Thanks! I haven't decided yet - choosing between Michigan and Minnesota. Best of luck to you with Real Analysis and applications! 

[pulsars]

That's some pretty darn good schools haha. You obviously don't have to, but do you mind sharing your other math/stats/science coursework and grades, either through here or private messaging? Thanks a ton!

[twilightgalaxy]

My cohort seems pretty evenly split in terms of having Real Analysis vs. not having Real Analysis. I feel that it's definitely good to have, both in terms of future development as well as for grad school applications, but not having Real Analysis is hardly going to automatically disqualify you from top programs. I'm no applications expert, but if you could get some significant research experience and results out during the summer, I would suspect that would help you more on the application especially if you have taken any other strongly proof-based mathematics courses to help cement your mathematical ability. 

[pulsars]

Yeah I'm going to take Real Analysis as an undergrad regardless; my question is whether or not taking it in senior fall would be too late from an admissions perspective. But thanks for your input about your cohort !

[hey-yo-psych]

If your track record is good, they can easily assume having Real Analysis in your Fall Semester lineup means you will ace it.  Right?

I highly suggest prioritizing GRE study and research over taking a difficult summer class.  The good work you do over the summer will be reflected in your letters and the months you spend studying for GRE are SOO important.  GRE is not just used for admissions but to make you competitive for institutional fellowships. 

Going out of your way to take Real Analysis is going to be misdirected in my opinion (and if you are considering creating another transcript to send off from another school - it will be extra expensive and time consuming during the application process). 

I also suggest making Fall 2016 one of your lighter semesters in terms of course load because applications take longer than you expect them to.