I would like to apply for a Ph.D. in engineering in the US. My area of interest (control systems/dynamics) is closely related to (applied) mathematics. Would a reasonable but not outstanding result (e.g. 70%+) in the GRE mathematics subject test give me an edge during the admission process? To be more specific, I would like to understand how relevant is mathematics subject test for admission to (mathematics-heavy) engineering programs (subject tests are usually not required for admission to graduate engineering programs) and what would be considered a high/low subject test score in this context?
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When applying to a PhD program in the US, how does the admissions process work? If an applicant is weak in a particular area, is it possible to offset that by being strong in a different area?  Note that this question originated from this . Please feel free to edit the question to improve it.
94187
I have been looking into PhD programs in the Engineering field, and I have found different types of programs, such as some with coursework, and others without any coursework.  What is the practical difference between them? (Besides the obvious coursework) What kind of student is expected for each of them?  EDIT: To be more specific, I have been looking into Robotics PhD programs, such as:    (Coursework + Research).  (Only research).
99032
I was traumatized by an abusive relationship. While in the relationship, my grades were affected. Out of the relationship, I chose to stay in school and struggle with my studies instead of medically withdrawing. I attended therapy and completed psychiatric care.   I'm back to being a straight A student, but what will graduate school say in reference to those 2 years on my transcript? Should I explain it to them? Will I be granted an interview even? My GRE scores are great, but my major is competitive. What can I do? Should I include a letter that certifies what occurred in those two years from a professional?
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I am interested in understanding how mathematics is divided into many categories, such as what categories are particular cases of what, what categories do not or have little overlap with what. This is meaningful to me, because it helps me get a big picture and not mess up  many categories.   Quoted from :     think if "Algebra", "Geometry",   "Analysis", "topology, "Number   Theory", etc. as 'first-level   subjects'; then you have algebraic   number theory, algebraic topology,   analytic geometry, etc., as   'second-level subjects.' Now we have   algebraic arithmetic geometry, a   'third level subject'   I was wondering what criterion is used to divide mathematics into the first level subjects?  My understanding for these subjects are:  The objects studied in algebra are sets with operators with some properties, and mapping between such sets. So algebra is dealing with general and abstract objects.  Geometry is, quoted from Wikipedia:      a branch of mathematics   concerned with questions of shape,   size, relative position of figures,   and the properties of space.   To make these questions meaningful, is the space a general inner product space? Or must it be a particular one, an Euclidean space $\mathbb{E}^n$? In either case, geometry is dealing with some kind of topological vector space, which seems to be more concrete than algebra.  The subjects studied in analysis are derivatives and integrals of some mapping between some sets( others that I miss?). To make derivative concept meaningful, the domain and codomain of the mapping must be Banach spaces (?); to make integral concept meaningful, the domain and codomain of the mapping must be measure space and Banach space respectively(?).   Topology is about neighborhood of each element in a set, defined as a class of subsets that are closed under arbitrary union and finite intersection. This is also quite general and abstract.  Number theory is about properties of natural, integer, rational, real, complex, algebraic numbers, that are represented in terms of four specific operators $+, -, \times, \div$. This is quite concrete.  In summary, the first-level subjects algebra, geometry, analysis, topology and number theory seem not stand at the same level of abstraction or concreteness. Is there a criterion or reason for dividing mathematical topics into these first-level subjects? There are also other categories of mathematics, such as set theory, category theory, logic and measure theory, which especially the first three seem quite general and each does not very much overlap with other categories of mathematics, including algebra, geometry, analysis, topology and number theory. So what kind of criterion is used to form these other categories? Are there other criteria for forming mathematics categories?   Thanks and regards!
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Note: I will expand this question with more specific points when I have my own internet connection and more time (we're moving in, so I'm at a friend's house).  This question is broad, involved, and to some degree subjective.  (I started out as a physics-only student, but eventually decided to add a mathematics major. I am greatly interested in mathematics; the typical curriculum required for physics students is not deep or thorough enough; mathematics is more general (that means work!); and it only requires a few more classes. Naturally, I enjoy  immensely.)  This question asks mainly of undergraduate-level study, but feel free to discuss graduate-level study if you like.  Please do not rush your answer or try to be comprehensive. I realize the StackOverflow model rewards quick answers, but I would rather wait for a thoughtful, thorough (on a point) answer than get a fast, cluttered one. (As you probably know,  produces clear, useful writing; and a properly-done comprehensive answer would take more than a reasonable amount of time and effort.) If you think an overview is necessary, that is fine.  For a question this large, I think the best thing to do is focus on a specific area in each answer.    Update: To Sklivvz, Cedric, Noldorin and everyone else: I had to run off before I could finish, but I wanted to say I knew I would regret this; I was cranky and not thinking clearly, mainly from not eating enough during the day. I am sorry for my sharp responses and for not waiting for my reaction to pass. I apologize.  Re: Curricula:   Please note that I am not asking about choosing your own curriculum in college or university. I did not explicitly say that, but several people believed that was my meaning. I will ask more specific questions later, but the main idea is how a physics student should study mathematics (on his or her own, but also by choosing courses if available) to be a competent mathematician with a view to studying physics.  I merely mentioned adding a mathematics major to illustrate my conclusion that physics student need a deeper mathematical grounding than they typically receive.   And now I have to run off again.
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I am a senior year undergrad student from a prestigious institute in India. I intend to pursue a PhD after graduating. While researching universities, I stumbled upon the fact that many of the top schools have a minimum GPA requirement. For example UCSD has 3.4/4 as its minimum requirement.   My GPA is 7.2 on a scale of 10. It is quite above average in my school, but it translates to a 2.9 on a scale of 4 which looks pretty bad. DOes this mean that my application is likely to be rejected outright?   Also, I heard that most universities don't consider converted scores (by WES, for example) in a good light. I have research experience in my undergraduate years to offset the GPA. I really hope that the universities have a look at that.   Should I not apply to schools with such a requirement?
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My significant other and I finish our master degrees at the same time and thus we are applying for PhD programmes at the same time. One major factor of accepting a potential offer would be if we could study at the same university, so I feel that mentioning a two-body problem would be advantageous for both, us and the admission committee. But where do I mention this? Is a line in the statement of purpose suitable here?     If you admit me, please also consider admitting my significant other Jane Roe.   Some additional information: We both do research in computer science. While I do research in natural language processing my partner does research in computer vision.
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As I've already saw, many people here are related to admission process. And I want to ask their opinion on what is priority of all stuff from application: what is the most important (letters of recommendation or personal statement, GPA or maybe test scores), what is less important for admission and what is the least important? Would admission committee prefer applicant with good scores, high GPA, but with not outstanding personal statement and without letters from famous or well-known professors (for example, my scientific advisor in undergraduate school get his PhD only a couple years ago), or student with less GPA, test scores, but with letter from university's prof?  Some graduate schools require General GRE (Graduate Record Examinations). Would it better to send GRE scores (general or subject or both) even if it's not required (in case of relatively good result), or them wouldn't be considered at all?
63474
I'm currently a junior in mathematics at UIUC. I have been doing pretty well in my math courses (mostly A and A+). I will be completing a graduate course in topology, a second course in abstract algebra, and a complex analysis course before I graduate.  I feel that I can work hard to maintain good grades in my math courses, but my non-math courses are not that good (some B and C's).    Do graduate schools care more about my math courses grades more or my general GPA more?  Will poorer marks in non-math courses hurt my chances of getting into good grad schools?
105654
I will be a second year math under-grad in September, and currently doing an internship at applied math research institute. Most probably, I will come up with a research paper at the end of the internship.  However, my interest after my bachelors is to do PhD in pure math from a top math school.My question is this:     Would the admission committee consider my current research since it is in applied math?    In addition, if anyone can suggest me some ideas on how can I bridge the gap between my paper in applied math and my interest in analysis, I would be extremely grateful.  P.S.:  is a related but different question also of mine.
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I was charged with possession of marijuana earlier this year. In my state, it's not a crime, just a violation with a fine. Technically, it's not even a conviction because there's a diversion program that results in the charge being dropped after a year. The problem is that it won't be dismissed and expunged until after I apply for graduate school. So right now the charge is listed as pending.   Do applications for a PhD in math ask about petty charges like this? I know some ask about felonies and convictions, but that doesn't apply here. I know if I were applying for law school or medical school, my situation would be very different. How badly will this affect my application should this show up in a preliminary background check? Do math graduate programs even do background checks?
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I finished my undergraduate degree in mathematics about two years ago, and started a master's program last year. Now that I am about half way through the MS program, I am convinced that I want to get into a doctoral program. I was admitted to the master's program based upon very strong recommendations from respected scientists at the university where my undergraduate degree was obtained.    The MS program I am attending is at a small, noncompetitive institution. I am thinking that recommendation letters from this school would not be as meaningful. Also, based upon the limited scope of the research being conducted here, and my limited capacity to participate, I fear that letters from these professors might not be as strongly worded.  It is my intention to apply to several programs starting in December of this year. My question is this: Is it unreasonable to ask for my old references to "re-send" their letters of recommendation, almost 3 years after my association with them has concluded? Would it seem peculiar to the admissions board if all of my recommendation letters came from a school other than the one where I (will) have completed my MS?
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I am a beginning graduate student in mathematics. My university holds regular seminars in different areas of mathematics, and I try to attend all of them. I like getting exposed to different areas of research I did not know of, and get updated about recent developments. Listening to different speakers on different areas of mathematical research has greatly helped me become more confident in approaching new areas with new thoughts.  Often the researchers pose open problems. I note those down and after returning home, I try to read up about them but usually I find there are lots and lots of background material to cover and certainly I would have to spend a lot of time reading things up to get to the point where the speaker leaves something as an open problem. Please note I am a beginning graduate student.  Even if open problems have not been directly posed, following the speaker's work may eventually lead me to solve related problems in the area. Unfortunately the time taken scares me and essentially those notes get lost.  I am not even sure if the system I am following is proper. How does one get the most out of seminars? Or, what message is a seminar really intended to convey? Just a demonstration of some work done by the speaker, to be validated (at least at face value) by the audience? Or expose the audience to areas they can work on? In the latter case, how does one keep track of all the information obtained from seminars? A disciplined approach would be solicited.
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If I were a Spanish Major as an undergraduate and decide to pursue a PhD in a completely unrelated field (like Theoretical Physics), it makes sense to give a qualifying exam to check that I had the necessary skills to begin the program.  But if I'm coming from a B.S in math to a PhD program also in math, it doesn't seem to make sense to give a qualifying exam, as if the knowledge I gained in my undergraduate was insufficient.  I presume that one is accepted into a PhD program because he/she has already demonstrated the "qualifying" skills.  Thus, I'm baffled by the notion of the qualifying / prelim exam.   I'm curious about the ultimate goals of these exams, and how they relate to the professional development of a graduate student.
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I didn't do well in a part of a technical interview for a master's program, which was a question in the field X.   The most important subfield of my major for that program is X and X is not particularly my strength, because I took more advanced courses in other subfields during the last two years of my undergrad. But that is exactly why I want to do that master's program. I've had the necessary elementary courses in the field X, but did not go deeper in those topics, simply because there is not enough time to take all the helpful and good courses as an undergrad. That's why I decided to take some other courses as an undergrad and leave advanced courses in X for my graduate degree. I also want to do a Ph.D. after my master's and the field I want to do my Ph.D. is quite directly related to the master's degree I was interviewed for and involves a great deal of X.  To me, it makes perfect sense to apply for a master's program in a field that I'm not strong in, because otherwise, I wouldn't need to take more courses in that field and I will learn whatever I need, quite easily, through self-study. Is it a good idea to email the admission committee (or the professor who interviewed me) and explain this to them now? (Please keep in mind that I could have mentioned this point in my SOP, but I didn't. Probably a bad decision...)
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Related:   I know I must describe my past and current research in my personal/research statement or statement of purpose. But do I use technical terms?  I was given the advice that since the people reading my statement are mathematicians (I am applying to US for applied mathematics), they should know what I am talking about.  Although I am applying to applied mathematics, it would also be nice to hear from other fields (biology, computer science, engineering etc) about this.
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I have the following dilemma: I am finishing my Master's degree in pure mathematics this academic year (summer 2015) and I hoped to apply to a PhD program (US schools) starting from September 2015. Therefore, I have to apply this fall (till December 2014 in most places).  However, I have the following problem - my first article has just been completed and I have to go through a painful publication process which will not be finished in time (surely not till December). Second problem is that I have not particularly high GRE Math results (around 750 I guess, still waiting for results); the exam can be retaken only in April 2015.  Therefore, the only strengths I have are high GPA and solid letters of recommendation. I guess I could send the article to Arxiv.org, but I am not sure if that is acceptable to admissions committee and I am not familiar with the process of placing the article there.  So my questions are:  Is it OK to apply this fall and in case I am not accepted to the desired program, reapply next year, in the fall of 2015?  Or there is some kind of cooldown like the one you have in industry jobs and it is wiser to skip this year's admissions and apply in 2015 with a solid application profile?