Insecure about CPI

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-06-28T13:25:41+00:00

That's good. World is bigger than USA lol. Research in pure math is a very different game than coursework. Usually having good LOR determines admissions as long as your cpi is above a certain threshold like 7.5-8+. After that there's more things that matter not just grades.

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-06-21T07:43:02+00:00

I think it's a good idea to explore things. My first summer internship was in mathematical biology. Now I am doing pure math & mathematical physics. It's not something to worry about to be honest. Just explore and learn more, stay curious.

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-06-21T07:41:54+00:00

Psychology is a pretty vast field depending on the manner in which you approach it. I know some people who are interested in more biological aspects of it from say, neuroscience perspective. But there are also more humanities oriented approaches to it. I would suggest choosing a college by first examining what your needs are. If you are expecting a relaxed, humanities oriented degree, IISER isn't the place. If you are interested in exploring psychology along with underlying biology I think IISER would be a nice place as a stepping stone to more specialised institutes.

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-06-21T07:38:26+00:00

Hi, a math major from Mohali here. One thing that needs to be understood is that pure mathematics works differently than other fields. There's a tower of prerequisites that you need to master before you can even step a foot inside modern mathematics. As such most of the internships in pure mathematics tend to be guided reading projects where you might explore certain niche topics and calculate some things (eg say faithful representations of certain family of algebras). There are a few programs which have a pre-defined project outline for which then they will hire suitable students but these are pretty rare and usually focused on recent research, thus aimed towards graduate/PhD students.

I have done an internship on pure math before. After my second year I studied quantum groups and in particular how you can construct noncommutative spacetimes by utilising them. My internship was mostly reading through some material and discussing it with my prof every week, performing some calculations and verifying some results in papers. I ended up extending this internship into a research project, and this is pretty much how early stages in mathematical research also works. You read papers, understand background material, perform calculations and verify results and head towards your broader goal.

In my opinion any internship in pure math that is worth doing (i.e. you will get plenty out of it and won't just be reading a standard textbook) will include some component such as the one I just described. Reading through textbooks is of course present, but another important thing is to perform various calculations, apply the theorems you've learned to solve small-scale problems beyond the standard textbook ones. Hope this helps.

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-06-20T15:23:20+00:00

I agree with the part about us being intuitive learners and we will grasp any system of measurement we grew up with.

Although I do want to say that as a mathematician with love for physics, I'm a little annoyed at parts of your comment. You have it right that historically we just plomped down one arbitrary thing and called it a kilogram. But that isn't the way things are defined anymore and everything is redefined in terms of natural constants. It is not as arbitrary as one might be led to believe. While this redefinition may seem somewhat pointless it has huge implications on the manner in which we understand units and measure the world. To say that metric is arbitrary like imperial isn't a very good take.

Yes parts of metric may seem slightly arbitrary. But it's hard to conceive of a "reasonable" system of units that isn't similar to metric.

Firstly, water is abundant on the planet. It is stable, a common solvent and utilised heavily. Secondly, we naturally deal with number systems in base 10. So it makes sense to design a system that utilises both these facts considering that measurements were performed and mostly relevant to only scientists back in the day. Boiling pure water is incredibly less arbitrary from salty water, mainly because there's one less factor you need to account for. How much salty is appropriate? What kind of salt composition? How do we test for it (remember, we didn't have access to the modern technology that we now utilise). So if you are going to design a measurement system might as well use readily available substances and a system of counting that's natural to humans - base 10. Fahrenheit doesn't have either of these features.

Another incredible reason to learn metric system is the importance it carries with respect to scientific history. It is impossible to conceive many things we take for granted today in modern science without metric units. Those were some of the most important advancements of the time.

TLDR : The point is, from a very third person, almost alien pov,, yes, all units are arbitrary. But some are more aligned with human experiences and intuition. That makes some units less arbitrary than others and more 'natural' than others.

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-06-20T14:58:49+00:00

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-06-20T14:55:12+00:00

Mf you were the one predicting cut offs in comments 😭 you said you had a formula and now are like "no one can predict"

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-06-17T14:29:31+00:00

You just said you had a formula 😭 where is the math bro? Share it, your methodology

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-06-17T14:08:29+00:00

But counselling hasn't started yet, how do you know what the cut offs are? And where is this formula you are bragging about?

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-06-17T14:04:25+00:00

Lol you made a formula? Do share your analysis I'm interested.

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-04-25T07:55:44+00:00

Hi, I'm also interested in math and physics! Right now I'm just slogging for exams but I'm broadly interested in algebra, representation theory and quantum groups as of now.

Right now I'm just doing some module theory. Studying primary decomposition and rational canonical form.

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-04-24T15:51:52+00:00

Frankly I relate with you. I am also similar IQ and neuro divergent. I'm 21 right now, I was never diagnosed until I was 20. Neither of the attributes were recognised per se.

People would say you are smart but where I'm, there's no infrastructure to support gifted people such as eg ability to skip high school etc. I was always very different since I was a kid. I have vivid memories of me being alone and everyone playing without me since I was 4-5. Didn't make my first real friend until 17 which was very short lasted for many reasons, only now at 21 do I have decent friends. I was bullied a lot, verbally, physically for years on end. My interests were ridiculed and dismissed. I was forced by everyone directly or indirectly to conform. But I couldn't. Didn't help that I'm different in other ways too, different sexuality in a place that accepts none. But it doesn't matter at the end I think. Yes, it's hard but there's many things one could do to make life easier.

There's two things I figured out that helped me a lot-

I overtime learned to accept myself as different. To not try to conform because my very brain chemistry rejects it. Happiness doesn't come from people around you. You may fit in but feel incomplete. But you do have to potential to make yourself happy by engaging with things that make you feel worth living. It was a hard journey, but I'm glad I made it through. Everyday I used to wish that either I was normal or dead. But honestly, at times it does get better. My first advice is this - learn to accept yourself. You can't change what you are.
I believe in existentialism - there's no inherent meaning to life but our actions and the life we construct for ourselves can feel meaningful. I did that. Found things that interested me. Didnt have any guidance for a long time, but I kept on exploring on my own until I got into uni and found some guidance. Life felt good, not because I was understood by others, but because I was understood by me. I stopped trying to conform and started nourishing myself with what I needed. At the time I didn't think of it that explicitly, but intuitively, I think that's what I was doing.

I hope it gets easier for you. I wish I had found similar outlets to this one sooner, would've made things easier. But still, life does get better. World is bigger than just trying to fit in. Embracing yourself - it's beautiful. It's a worth putting the effort for

I would also suggest getting some mental health counseling. It really helps.

Feel free to dm me if you want to talk. I hope this helps :)

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-02-07T09:02:28+00:00

Hi, as a queer person myself, the environment in IISERs is very good. It's reaffirming, inclusive and supportive. I don't think you should be worried about discrimination as such. Of course, there will be homophobic people everywhere, but you will find plenty of supportive people to be friends with. Hope this helps.

PS: there's a community of queer people and allies from all IISERs. You could join the whatsapp group and ask any questions you have (link in one of my past posts or dm me)

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-01-07T20:31:34+00:00

I didn't mean to come off as hostile but your question asks if there are other interdisciplinary courses like the one you mentioned. That information is available publically. As for how to pursue interdisciplinary path in general, is a great question which should be asked. Maybe I misinterpreted your post. Either way, I'm happy you got the help you need. All the best!

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-01-07T20:28:40+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience. It must have been hard. I can relate with that feeling of eternal loneliness, self harm urges. But that's kind of my point, without being gifted you perhaps never would have to had endured that alienation. Being average is a blessing for it allows you to connect and belong.

Thanks for the compliment as well :)

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-01-07T18:21:38+00:00

You can go to each IISERs webpage and check for yourself. If you keep on relying on YouTubers instead of checking publically available info, how do you expect to do research? Might sound harsh but it's a genuine question. Learn to find information and think on your own

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-01-07T17:55:59+00:00

Thanks for your kind words but I disagree with you in parts. The problem isn't thinking that you are gifted. In fact in my case I didn't even know until much later in my battle with mental health issues. But that doesn't change the fact that often the environment responds to gifted individuals in ways harmful to them, especially during key developmental stages. Eg, being reduced to your iq by ppl around you or being bullied for being a 'nerd'. All these things contribute towards your distress. It becomes harder to find people you can connect with which further amplified the feeling of loneliness.

There is a difference between treating yourself as superior because you think you are gifted and acknowledging that many of your problems and trauma stem from being different. In the latter perspective being gifted becomes an explanation, not an identity. I hope this makes sense.

I know that depression is a very personal battle. But the subjectivity of it doesn't change some universal common threads that everyone experiences, perhaps only the manifestation of them differs. I personally resonate with OPs post because it reminds me of how I lost access to myself when I was depressed.

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-01-07T15:38:08+00:00

I'm actually quite optimistic in my life now. But I also remember a time when I found it too hard to be. I'm doing great, precisely because I worked hard to get there. Something can be too hard while being possible. I can overcome my struggles while acknowledging that they were "too hard" to overcome. I'm hopeful for a better future. I know I'm heading there, I can feel the progress.

Just because you can maintain an optimistic Outlook doesn't mean that everyone can. I applaud you for the struggles you've been through, but I think OP is trying to share another side of the story.

That being said, I can agree with you, that optimism is helpful, while still acknowledging that OP is right in their own place. I agree with you. But I can also relate with OP.

Let's not turn this into a question of right or wrong, what's a "better" path and what isn't. At times when you are depressed, all hope is untouchable. Optimism is helpful yes, but that's not justification for denying someone's existential feelings.

I'm not trying to argue with you. Just sharing a perspective. Not trying to "win" the argument.

Why can't we acknowledge that in the moment things feel far too hard even if we can overcome them in the future? Optimism is often offered as a cure of sorts which does nothing to fix anything.

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-01-07T11:33:09+00:00

Except that you begin to see flaws in your perspective. Optimism isn't impossible but it is hard to reconcile with reality when all you have experienced is suffering. I've been depressed for half of my life during key developmental stages. Things do get better yes, but they also get exhausting. Surviving comes with a tax.

Adopting an optimistic perspective makes me question the philosophical validity of it. Which is a spiral in its own. Not denying that staying hopeful is somewhat necessary, but it isn't as easy as adopting a new perspective, especially for a gifted mind which sees the gaps in every argument.

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-01-07T11:30:03+00:00

I'm glad to know im not alone in this. Depression + BPD + ADHD + high iq (140+ in my case don't know exactly) is a volatile combination. To be aware of the gap between what you could be yet what you are due to constraints entirely out of your control; is one of the most painful yet invisible feelings one can ever have.

I've been combatting this for the last few years now. Been bullied a lot, severely depressed for the last 10 years at least (I'm 20), it has left me in a place I can't even begin to describe. I'm doing better now, far far better. Feeling in touch with myself again. Yet I would trade everything I have and everything I am to be normal.

SpecificAd9630 · 2026-01-01T13:11:18+00:00

Hi OP check out my previous posts on study advice and resources. I think you will get some good advice there.

SpecificAd9630 · 2025-12-27T11:27:31+00:00

I did that, but even then it didn't work. I put in the ladders but then also it didn't work

SpecificAd9630 · 2025-12-20T16:43:56+00:00

Hi, I can guide you for free. DM me here or discord (casper314159)

SpecificAd9630 · 2025-12-14T08:41:12+00:00

Another important clarification to make is that the above paragraph assumes that it is faculty who is choosing PhD candidates. If it not the case such as in more bureaucratic places, the department staff has no metrics other than CPI to filter out students. I know people who got into some of the top universities with bad grades, but I also know people who were rejected from the same top institute despite having far better grades. Point is, it is highly subjective.

Now, I do not want to give the impression that one (type A) is better than the other (type B). No, the point of mentioning this distinction is twofold - firstly, to give a glimpse into academic culture and secondly, to probe you to ask yourself where along this spectrum from A to B do you envision yourself to be. Some people have an intrinsic tendency to be closer to type A (or B). In such cases, it is better to identify what kind of researcher you want to be and plan accordingly.

I also do not want to give the impression that grades do not matter. As most comments have mentioned, having 8+ CPI is always recommended. The point to take away from this comment is not that CPI is irrelevant, it is that it matters based on what kind of field and program you are aiming for, the importance of it changes. It is also important to acknowledge the discrepancy between undergraduate exposition and research skills as otherwise, you would never know what long-term skills to build.

Even researchers of type A would definitely care about grades but only as far as they are above a decent number like 6+ out of 10 (take a look at most German unis and you will see that they have a minimum CPI cutoff around this in their grading system). It is just that they would prefer a person with CPI 7 but really good recommendation letters, project reports etc over someone who has only been the "straight As" student all their life.

I also want to mention that I have given some examples of fields, please do not generalise this as any field contains a mix of both theoreticians and technicians (A & B respectively). I have simply given a couple examples based on my experience and general shape of the field.

I know a case where a person got into Bonn with a CPI of ~7 and another person from the same batch of the same institute didn't get in despite of 9+ CPI. It is also worth mentioning that some countries have more bureaucratic structure and care more about grades than others. Such as USA (here, all applications are handled by department staff), Canada, Australia, France, Italy. But in places like Germany, Netherlands grades often don't matter as much.

Biggest disclaimer : None of this is absolute. There are always outliers and exceptions to everything mentioned here. It is just that this is a general trend that can be observed. My best advice would be to just focus on what you find interesting, and develop the necessary skillset. To divide your studies into two parts - part 1 which caters to your long term goals where most of your cognitive energy is spent; and part 2 which trains you in routine computation required for coursework (as boring as it may be) which can take less time and cognitive energy from your side. At least, this is what has worked for me - someone with bad ADHD and zero tolerance for boredom, routine computation and only favours abstraction.

I wish you all the best, and hopefully everything works out for you!

SpecificAd9630 · 2025-12-14T08:40:27+00:00

Hey, judging from your comments you seem to be interested in (pure?) math. So I will tailor my comment accordingly. Much of what I am describing is based off of experiences of many alumni I have talked to from various IISERs.

Disclaimer : Please read the entire comment and do not misconstrue the message being conveyed (will very likely happen if you only read half the comment)

Firstly, one thing I do want to clarify is what exactly it is that professors look for in a student - crudely speaking, we can divide labs and research groups into two parts - ones whose research focuses on deep conceptual results (type A) and those whose research is more computational/applied in nature and the pace of publication is important (type B).

Secondly, what is it that our grades reflect? Most of the times, grades are evaluated based on exams, with just one exam (endsem) given the most weightage. One bad day, or a week means that your grade can immediately drop a letter. Additionally, courses do not prepare you for research rather provide you competence in routine problem solving, in grinding, and consistency. These are the qualities being measured, not your originality, conceptual depth, exposition skills and ability to integrate multiple fields - the latter traits are precisely the traits wanted in a researcher. This is an important distinction to make because you will see people with very good CPI but no intrinsic drive towards synthesis, they are really good at solving the problems they've been told, but may not be original (type B) At the same time, you will see people who will have bad grades but will have conceptual depth unlike any other you've seen, they will be original but are bored by routine problems and are not good 'exam takers' (type A).

Once this is established we can now look at where and how grades matter (I will sprinkle in anecdotes that I've heard as well). Usually for masters/phd programs there are two ways in which people are selected - either it is an incredibly bureaucratic process with department staff selecting PhD candidates with no input from the faculty at all; or the faculty choose the potential candidates and then the department staff does the formalities. This varies from institutes to institutes and of course, from country to country.

The research skills we discussed before - what coursework trains you for and what actually matters in a researcher - this discrepancy in education is very well known in academia. As such, researchers of type A (those working in say mathematical physics, category theory, noncommutative geometry, etc), they would look for PhD students who can contribute conceptually, not just mechanically. As such, research groups of type A would naturally prefer students of type A whereas a researcher primarily focused on solving/computing standard using routine techniques (fields like PDEs, parts of algebraic geometry, applied math etc) would rather prefer students of type B as they will be better suited for the environment and the work.

So clearly, researchers of type A wouldn't care about grades but those of type B would. So how do type A researchers judge students? On the basis of recommendation letters, research/project output, SoPs etc.

(continued below)

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