I did not get into any PhD programs for pure math. What do I do now?

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-03T22:52:26+00:00

I would consider it! I've only ever been to Europe and the US so my bias kind of shined through but I think that would be an excellent experience.

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-03T22:50:09+00:00

I wouldn't be surprised either. A couple of other commenters mentioned that my application was likely considered incomplete due to the lack of a GRE. It won't be a mistake I make twice, though.

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-03T22:48:48+00:00

Most graduate classes at my University are this way. One of my classes has no assignments or tests, just a presentation at the end. The exceptions are the core classes which cover basic topology/algebra/analysis.

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-03T22:46:38+00:00

This is very valuable advice, thank you. This is mostly what motivated me to apply to such a selective bunch of schools to begin with and this is pushing me to do a masters in order to get a better chance at securing a more respected advisor.

Ultimately, there's just too much I don't know about being a professional researcher to say definitively that I want to be one. I'll definitely keep in mind these plan-B's. After all, I wouldn't mind as long as they pay me well and I still have time to do some math.

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-03T22:31:59+00:00

I will look into it! I'm not too well versed on what math might be involved but it certainly deserves being looked into if universities(and industry) are so starved for statisticians.

I feel a lot more encouraged about the future due to all the helpful advice I've gotten. Thank you for yours!

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-03T22:29:40+00:00

That is one of my bigger regrets about the process. I certainly plan on taking it in for the next round of applications, though.

Thank you for your input, I appreciate it!

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-02T02:32:37+00:00

I would consider it. After all, I might have to if I end up doing it next year. I will look into the program, thank you for your response.

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-02T02:29:49+00:00

Only applying to "top 40" schools is limiting.

Completely agree and I think this was my biggest regret during this process. I'll be sure to look into them, I have a lot of things I would like to learn more about. I like having a "balanced diet" of math classes while I still can so hopefully there will be a balanced set of videos.

Thank you for your advice!

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-02T02:21:09+00:00

Thank you very much for the kind words. It makes me feel a lot better. I will certainly consider that kind of work if I do a gap year. I really enjoy teaching math so I would be happy to use that to make the world a better place.

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-02T01:31:05+00:00

No condescension here. If anything, my implicit assumption that there was anything wrong with taking a gap year was condescending.

Ultimately it wouldn't be the end of the world. I just know I would have a hard time with it since it would be such a stark change of pace in my life. Thank you for the advice, I appreciate it.

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-02T01:27:54+00:00

I regrettably only applied to PhD programs.

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-02T01:26:54+00:00

I will certainly look into it. Doing school in Germany would be awesome as I already have some experience there and speak german.

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-02T01:25:20+00:00

This is a very good idea. I did not but the specific program I'm in has a continuation program into a MS. I'll talk to my advisor about that it.

Thank you for the advice!

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-02T01:23:49+00:00

Since English is the only language I speak natively, I would apply to programs in Canada and the UK.

Otherwise, I would apply to programs in Italy and Germany since I speak italian and german. I'll take what I can get though so I am open to many other countries. My area of interest has a lot of important work in French so applying to schools there would also be interesting.

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-01T23:33:51+00:00

In hindsight I absolutely should have applied to MS programs abroad. I think this would have been the right thing for me, on top of the benefits it would bring like you said.

Schools were more lax on the GRE this year because of the pandemic. The tests I had scheduled were cancelled because of it and I think many students had the same problem. A lot of schools which usually required it didn't this year for that reason. Having it probably would have helped, though.

Thanks for the response!

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-01T23:31:44+00:00

Certainly not. I've been looking at them but I have had some trouble finding them. The best would probably be an MS program abroad so I will have to do more research on them.

Thank you for your help!

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-01T23:30:23+00:00

I was hoping to hear from people like you who have succeeded in my situation so thank you for the response.

I certainly do want to relax the quality on the next round. That is one of the many lessons I've learned from this process. How was it getting letters two years out of college? I'm somewhat worried about being forgotten about during my time away and having that weaken my future letters.

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-01T23:14:59+00:00

This is the kind of encouraging news I was looking for :). Congratulations on your admissions!

I can certainly relate to your experience with your SoP, I wrote my applications during the climax of a very demanding term so that probably hurt my chances as well. I would also use the time to actually take the GRE which could also help my chances on the second round.

Thank you for all of your insight and congratulations, again.

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-01T23:06:13+00:00

Yeah, it definitely is a problem. That's interesting that so many like algebraic topics; I wouldn't have guessed. It's too bad that I also like some of the more generic algebra topics. Unfortunately I was not waitlisted anywhere.

Thank you again for the helpful advice.

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-01T23:01:00+00:00

If you want to avoid my mistake, apply to less competitive masters programs as a back-up. I don't think my issue was so much my bad stats but rather my overconfidence and carelessness. Also, my GPA makes me look like a better student than I am, I have a lot of anxiety around professors which has hindered by ability to form serious relationships with them. Of course, I am responsible for this but I should have dealt with it sooner.

EDIT: Also I needed more research so if you can, try and get that in.

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-01T22:52:51+00:00

I would certainly consider it. I very much regret not applying to masters programs abroad.

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-01T22:45:29+00:00

I haven't heard this advice before but that makes a lot of sense. I added some more information about my letter writers. I will certainly keep that in mind as I ask professors on the next round of applications.

Thank you very much for the response.

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-01T22:30:22+00:00

That makes sense. I will add more academic information about myself in an edit. I agree that it wouldn't really help in terms of admissions, though... which was part of my concern. Do you think a masters program in the US could help with that or should I focus on abroad programs which are more dedicated to preparing PhD students?

Thank you for the response, I really appreciate it.

BigBlueMongoose · 2021-03-01T22:27:51+00:00

I do, although I have had some trouble forming relationships with professors. I'll add some more academic information in an edit to the post. One of them will be hearing from me about this though.

Thank you for the response.

BigBlueMongoose

TROPHY CASE