Our math club (which is for undergrads) was really pushing advice for applying to grad school recently and I attended the GROW conference a couple weeks ago so I figured I’d start typing up some of the advice I found most notable. Some is very common advice, some seem to be less so. Either way, I didn’t know almost any of this stuff like, a year ago.
1) In the words of our postdoc, to figure out what schools you want to apply to, talk to several professors for recommendations, take the union of those lists, then whittle down from there.
2) Definitely try on your GREs (general and math subject if you’re aiming for grad school for math) but they’re not all important. Ignore any pre-med friends freaking out about the MCAT. You probably don’t need to study much for the general but you will need to study for the subject test. Go ahead and take them both during your junior year if possible so that you have time to retake if you want to and so you’re done with it (the deadline to sign up for the Oct subject test is after the Sep one, though before scores are out).
3) Recommendation letters are generally considered the most important thing. Try to get people who know you beyond just class. Also a letter from someone at a different institution (cough REU mentors) are extra great.
4) Do not, under any circumstance, write “I loved math since I was a child” or anything of the like in your personal statement.
5) The AMS keeps a database of stats about a lot of grad programs including number of faculty, number of female professors, number of grad students, and many other things. It is pretty easy to find with a google search.
6) Do not pay for a phD program. In return for TA duties, you should get a tuition waiver and a living stipend. Whether that stipend is enough to live on in the area varies. It’s best to ask a current student about it before accepting anywhere. Also, if you’re already into math as an undergrad, you should probably be applying directly into phD programs, not masters.
7) VISIT THE SCHOOL BEFORE ACCEPTING. If you get in, they should be willing to fly you over and let you talk to faculty and students and stuff. Even if the acceptance deadline is looming, drop everything and go. Just like, no matter what. Get a feel for the department culture and check out the current grad students. Do they seem happy? You’re gonna be there for a long time.
8) Even if you like teaching and intend to teach afterwards, apply to outside fellowships if you can (things that will fund you so you can not do a TA-ship for a while). You can apply for the NSF as an undergrad senior and then once during your first two years of grad school.
9) Do consider the structure of the program (what sort of classes do first and second years take, what are the policies around prelims/qualifying exams/whatever they’re called) when picking schools.
10) Less about grad school apps and more about the time leading up to them: definitely try to get into an REU but they’re also super competitive and kinda random about accepting people so don’t feel too dejected if you don’t get into any. Also see if you can do research at your home institution or even like, independent studies.
These are tips focused on applying and I am a third year so I haven’t really started extensive prep (I’ve taken the general GRE and talked casually to people about schools but that’s really it) but my department does a lot of outreach stuff like this so I’m hoping I can help anyone who isn’t so lucky. Plus now I have a reference sheet for myself later. I’ll reblog and add more if I think of it/get told more things. Other people feel free to do the same.
As usual, feel free to message me about math, college, or anything else.
