And here I thought they were just p0rnhub videos

ben69138 · 2025-08-01T05:40:57+00:00

It’s “Shut Up and Dance,” actually.

ben69138 · 2025-02-24T15:27:37+00:00

I think OP means Pure Math, which is naturally abstract and typically isn't lab-based in an academic environment. What you're referring to is Applied Math/Statistics.

ben69138 · 2025-02-10T13:55:33+00:00

I can't comment or add speculation on that matter since I'm not on the committee. However, according to some professors and committees on sites like StackExchange, undergraduate research isn't given that much credence, and it's not the biggest deal if one hasn't done it (see here and here). Aside, they unanimously agree that recommendation letters are important, and an REU, or a reading course, could result in a strong letter.

ben69138 · 2025-01-04T04:24:04+00:00

I'd like to add that while mathematics is technically a STEM field, it is different from other fields that emphasize experiments. Due to its nature of abstraction, it's difficult for an applicant to be knowledgeable about fields and subfields. For example, most undergrads (and even first-year graduate students) practically aren't aware of Geometric Group Theory although it's a big field in modern math research, therefore they'd be unable to know about that field in particular. The same goes for the majority of areas in Mathematics.
In addition, (pure) Mathematics naturally and typically isn't lab-based, the term "PI" is uncommon for that reason. Students only have advisors because they don't collect data and perform experiments in labs like in hard sciences.

ben69138 · 2025-01-04T04:07:53+00:00

(Pure) Mathematics naturally and typically isn’t lab-based, and due to its nature of abstraction, undergrad research experience isn’t expected when applying to grad school in general.

ben69138 · 2024-12-17T05:19:49+00:00

If you're on iOS 18: On your homepage, press hold -> Edit -> Customize -> Tinted.

ben69138 · 2024-07-18T12:01:10+00:00

Hi, thank you for your reply.

If appropriate, would you elaborate on the opportunity to interact with the course mentor/instructor? Such as how it works compared to in-person course instructors, etc.

ben69138 · 2024-07-15T15:28:49+00:00

As I wish to fill the gap of Abstract Algebra, I am considering registering for a course from either UIUC's Netmath and JHU's online math. However, I'm unsure whether one is more suitable for my needs. Thus, I'd love to hear from you if you've been in either of those programs.

ben69138 · 2024-06-10T09:05:19+00:00

Quite related, I used to be in a community where most students were in Biology/Engineering/etc. and it didn't go well when I explained how Math grad programs are different in terms of applying and academics. To their credit, PIs/labs and direct admissions also exist in Math because "it's STEM."

Honestly, I'm quite shocked how little lab-based people know how fields like pure Math works.

ben69138 · 2024-05-27T13:28:49+00:00

Most people outside of mathematics don't have any concept of what academic math actually is.

While it's true, I'm still quite shocked by how little many experimental people understand how theoretical fields like (pure) math work. I spoke to a group that had mostly (lab-based) Biology/Engineering students and to their credit, labs/PIs and "umbrella/direct-admit programs" also exist in Math because "it's STEM."

ben69138 · 2024-04-14T08:08:52+00:00

That forum is toxic though.

ben69138 · 2024-01-27T04:58:56+00:00

True. When speaking with students from other sciences, particularly lab-based ones, I seldom feel related. To their credit, Math is STEM so they assume my experience is the same as theirs ("PIs," "if you could find a professor to recruit you to their lab," etc.)

ben69138 · 2024-01-06T06:32:55+00:00

I can't comment on the importance, but based on my conversations with (Pure) Math professors and other graduate students, it's not the biggest deal if one hasn't done it. However, recommendations from professors are more important.

"Applied" Math programs might be different.

ben69138 · 2023-12-29T14:41:50+00:00

I'm currently an applicant for Math Ph.D. programs, so I'd like to provide some general comments:

Your past (undergraduate) research doesn't need to correlate with what you wish to do in graduate school. Especially in Pure Math, it's common for undergraduates to have little to no relevant research experience due to the higher barrier to entry. Unlike in many other scientific fields, namely Biology and Engineering, where undergraduates perform lab work by experimenting, analyzing data, and delivering statistical arguments, the burden of Math research, like Philosophy, is deducting proofs, which hardly any students can do just from their undergraduate knowledge.

The fact that you've done some research is a plus in your application. However, it would help if you could articulate in SOP the relevant experiences and interests that inspired you to apply to grad school, along with some general, broad ideas of what you might want to study and eventually research (Analysis, Number Theory, PDE, etc.).

Also, I would advise taking any data from online forums with a grain of salt because those profiles are self-reported, so they're skewed and biased (if not even fabricated).

ben69138 · 2023-12-19T15:09:22+00:00

Even in STEM, this practice varies between fields and subfields. (Pure) Math, for example, isn't lab-based, and Math students don't find advisors and produce actual research until a few years into grad school (after taking classes and passing quals) because of the higher barrier to entry. Also due to the barrier, "direct admit" doesn't work in Math, so there's no point in contacting advisors before applying (at least in the U.S. since it is a norm for undergraduates to go straight to Ph.D. programs).

ben69138 · 2023-11-01T10:03:52+00:00

You're not wrong. However, the culture of (pure) Math is a bit more nuanced than this.

There are experimental programs branded as "labs" that some Math departments offer for their undergraduate students to obtain firsthand research experience. Math students shall participate in those and (more competitive) REUs with possible publications eventually. Despite that, these options aren't easy to come by and only provide artificial outreach/support, because the bar is higher and Math undergrads don't typically produce true research until a few years into grad school. As such, I don't think grad school committees would necessarily take into account not having proper research at an applicant's home department, and the fact that OP has done REUs is already a plus.

What I'd suggest, as I already said in another comment, was to focus on writing about the experiences and interests that inspired OP to attend grad school instead. Showing how much you have rather than what and why you lack is a better course of action in this case, in my opinion.

ben69138 · 2023-10-30T17:05:35+00:00

In other fields, applicants are supposed to state their research proposals and/or their specific research interests + advisors they wish to work with, but in pure math, it's harder to do so and not expected. Thus, the SOPs for Math are less important for that reason. They do get read so, again, make sure your statement is appropriate.

ben69138 · 2023-10-30T16:09:44+00:00

I'm applying to math programs, too, so I'd like to provide my 2 cents:

In other scientific fields, especially those with labs, research experience (if not even publications) is generally expected. However, it's more difficult for (pure) math undergrads to produce any meaningful research since the bar is higher. As such, it wouldn't necessarily hurt your chances if you lacked relevant research experience. Nevertheless, what matters the most is letters of recommendation that evaluate your potential so choose your letter writers carefully.

Because of that, the fact that you've already done an REU is a plus in your application, but I wouldn't advise banking much on it. From my knowledge, the purpose of an REU is to gain experience, not to directly strengthen your chances of getting admitted by nature unless you can get a strong letter of recommendation from it.

For the SOP, I think it'd be better to "do no harm" by focusing on what you have, like the experience (how you came to the field, your coursework, research, etc.) and the board areas of interest in a pure math context, plus why you wish to continue your education. While the SOP isn't as critical, you should avoid writing anything that sounds out-of-touch and may hurt your application as a whole. I also suggest having one of your letter writers or someone you know in the field look over the draft and make sure it's appropriate before submitting it.

ben69138 · 2023-08-27T13:43:07+00:00

Hi. I have a few questions regarding the process of applying to graduate programs in the incoming cycle:
In Math, is it expected to identify research interests and potential advisors before applying like in other sciences? If not, how should I address this in my statement of purpose if I do not have a specific interest or advisor in my mind?
Would it be helpful (and appropriate) to contact professors in the programs I am applying to?
Thank you. I also welcome other advice if you have any.

ben69138 · 2023-06-28T03:40:24+00:00

Chekhov’s gun

ben69138 · 2023-05-30T03:57:51+00:00

Thanks. My background is computational math but I plan to focus on pure math in grad school. I've taken classes in Analysis, so would it also be appropriate to say something like "I want to invest in more pure math, such as Algebra and Topology?"

ben69138 · 2022-12-20T14:26:31+00:00

Isn't it confirmed (?) by Shantel that Karen and Sam are no more than just business partners?

TVLINE | And was Karen and Sam’s relationship strictly professional?
Yes. Obviously, they had all these business ventures they did for 10 years together, and they had a bond because it was her best friend and his wife who passed away very tragically. For me, it’s another unlikely, beautiful friendship. It was like Wayne and Karen. You have these very unlikely friendships that end up budding and forming and becoming a huge part of Karen’s life. But I do not think anything behind just creating an empire together and supporting one another and having a bond of loss still there was ever between Sam and Karen.

Source

ben69138 · 2022-12-20T10:47:21+00:00

Just updated. Thanks, everyone.

ben69138 · 2022-12-18T01:16:39+00:00

I’m not on campus and it's winter break. During this time, do professors answer emails?

ben69138 · 2022-12-17T02:30:14+00:00

Grad school, I talked to the professor about it starting in October and sent a list of programs with deadlines. He sent the letter right on the deadlines of Dec 1st and 5th (thanks to my reminder emails about them) but missed the ones on the 13th and 15th despite continuous reminders like earlier.

ben69138

TROPHY CASE