Oh god oh god oh god
December 11, 2012 11:03 AM Subscribe
Please calm me down. I am having a major freakout over grad school admissions. Master's level, applied math/stats.
I am applying for graduate school in applied math and statistics (Masters-level, and specifically, the program at Georgetown - although I mostly just want to know if I have a chance in hell anywhere).
Here are my stats: I was a history major. Undergrad GPA is 2.81, if you only count classes from the (non-notable) institution I received my degree from; slightly over 3.0, counting classes I took at other institutions during the summers and after I graduated. Most ominously, I failed a math class. Reasons for shitting the bed: depression, lack of direction, not understanding that the grades actually mattered for anything, etc. The usual story. I graduated in 2.5 years, in 2006.
I have taken a significant number of classes since graduating, and my GPA in those is around 3.5. In the last five classes or so, I've gotten nothing but A's (CS, Macro and Microeconomics, Calc 1-Calc 3 + linear algebra) while maintaining a full-time professional job, so there is a definite upward trend. There is lots that screams "no direction" in my transcript, save for the classes I've taken in the last year or so.
I expect a perfect or near-perfect GRE score. I last took the GRE in 2006 and scored 1530 (790 v, 740 q); since then I've actually learned college mathematics. The program I'm applying to doesn't require a GRE score; I'm worried it won't count for much even if I do submit it. I will have strong recommendations from my boss and two math instructors (in whose classes I received A's).
Am I on a fool's errand, here? Is there any chance I get into any programs at all? Are there alternative fields of study that might be more amenable to someone with a checkered transcript (quant finance, biostats, econometrics, etc - I mostly just want to solve problems with numbers)? Sorry for the rambling - I just looked at my old transcripts after a long time and started panicking. Thanks for the guidance.
I am applying for graduate school in applied math and statistics (Masters-level, and specifically, the program at Georgetown - although I mostly just want to know if I have a chance in hell anywhere).
Here are my stats: I was a history major. Undergrad GPA is 2.81, if you only count classes from the (non-notable) institution I received my degree from; slightly over 3.0, counting classes I took at other institutions during the summers and after I graduated. Most ominously, I failed a math class. Reasons for shitting the bed: depression, lack of direction, not understanding that the grades actually mattered for anything, etc. The usual story. I graduated in 2.5 years, in 2006.
I have taken a significant number of classes since graduating, and my GPA in those is around 3.5. In the last five classes or so, I've gotten nothing but A's (CS, Macro and Microeconomics, Calc 1-Calc 3 + linear algebra) while maintaining a full-time professional job, so there is a definite upward trend. There is lots that screams "no direction" in my transcript, save for the classes I've taken in the last year or so.
I expect a perfect or near-perfect GRE score. I last took the GRE in 2006 and scored 1530 (790 v, 740 q); since then I've actually learned college mathematics. The program I'm applying to doesn't require a GRE score; I'm worried it won't count for much even if I do submit it. I will have strong recommendations from my boss and two math instructors (in whose classes I received A's).
Am I on a fool's errand, here? Is there any chance I get into any programs at all? Are there alternative fields of study that might be more amenable to someone with a checkered transcript (quant finance, biostats, econometrics, etc - I mostly just want to solve problems with numbers)? Sorry for the rambling - I just looked at my old transcripts after a long time and started panicking. Thanks for the guidance.
Semi-related: Since you are in the area have you looked into the Applied and Computational Mathematics program through Johns Hopkins Engineering for Professionals program? If you aren't accepted outright you'd be accepted on a provisional basis. It's a part-time program for working professionals but it is still a quality program and at the end of the day the degree is still from Johns Hopkins.
posted by Loto at 11:08 AM on December 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by Loto at 11:08 AM on December 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
If it is a master's level program, and if you are paying for it, and if it does not involve research, odds are pretty good that you will be accepted somewhere assuming that your transcript indicates you are capable of handling the workload. Loto is right about the Johns Hopkins program, as well. And, frankly, if you're accepted on a provisional basis, you will not have a problem proving your ability to handle the material assuming you can put in enough effort there as you did with your most recent math classes. George Mason and UMUC are also options.
posted by deanc at 11:14 AM on December 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
posted by deanc at 11:14 AM on December 11, 2012 [1 favorite]
Here's data on test scores from the program I know best (namely, the program I got my PhD in pure mathematics at). For that program your quant score would be a little low but your verbal score would be very high. The relative emphasis put on the scores might be different in applied math, though, and also standards are probably a bit lower for a Master's. (I put this link here mostly because such statistics are quite difficult to find, or at least they were eight years ago when I was looking for them.)
For what it's worth, most people in pure math graduate programs were math majors as undergrads. I think, but I'm not sure, that something similar is true in applied math. If you can track down the information, it might make sense to look at programs where the students have a wider distribution of majors; this might indicate that the program is more interested in what you can do in the future than in what you already learned in the past. But I'm bullshitting.
since then I've actually learned college mathematics.
I wonder how much this would actually help on the quantitative section of the general GRE. It'll certainly help you on the subject test if you plan to take it.
posted by madcaptenor at 11:20 AM on December 11, 2012
For what it's worth, most people in pure math graduate programs were math majors as undergrads. I think, but I'm not sure, that something similar is true in applied math. If you can track down the information, it might make sense to look at programs where the students have a wider distribution of majors; this might indicate that the program is more interested in what you can do in the future than in what you already learned in the past. But I'm bullshitting.
since then I've actually learned college mathematics.
I wonder how much this would actually help on the quantitative section of the general GRE. It'll certainly help you on the subject test if you plan to take it.
posted by madcaptenor at 11:20 AM on December 11, 2012
I had a record with weaknesses, and it did not stop me from getting into a good grad school. Depending on the school you apply to, coming from a broad base of experience can be advantage, not a detriment. It means that you will bring a unique perspective and will see things that the faculty do not. This is considered very valuable, especially in a research program that values new ideas or interdisciplinary work. You may not be attractive to a department that mostly values pure math, but a grad school with a strong applied math program and a history of collaboration with other departments would be interested.
The bad grades are a problem, but signs of steady improvement and a good personal statement will make up for that. The personal statement is key.You want the admissions committee to see you as someone who has good reasons for being in the program. It should tell a story about you that is as positive as possible, but also explains your history and outlines the direction that you're going. You should target a specific faculty member (or members) in the program and describe yourself in a way that a those targeted will see you as a good fit and want to work with you.
I would recommend that you shop around for different schools and apply to many of them, rather than just Georgetown, because your application will click with someone, but it is hard to tell exactly who your application is going to click with, so lots of exposure will increase your odds.
Also, if you move to spamming applications, you may consider applying to some Ph.D. programs, even if you only want a Masters. This is a well known trick and well accepted trick for increasing your financial support. Ph.D. students get paid better, and you can "change your mind" and graduate with a Masters instead at any point after you pass your exams. For you, this might be an especially good strategy: the diverse background is particularly attractive if they think you are going to bring that perspective to generating new ideas and new research for them.
posted by yeolcoatl at 11:32 AM on December 11, 2012
The bad grades are a problem, but signs of steady improvement and a good personal statement will make up for that. The personal statement is key.You want the admissions committee to see you as someone who has good reasons for being in the program. It should tell a story about you that is as positive as possible, but also explains your history and outlines the direction that you're going. You should target a specific faculty member (or members) in the program and describe yourself in a way that a those targeted will see you as a good fit and want to work with you.
I would recommend that you shop around for different schools and apply to many of them, rather than just Georgetown, because your application will click with someone, but it is hard to tell exactly who your application is going to click with, so lots of exposure will increase your odds.
Also, if you move to spamming applications, you may consider applying to some Ph.D. programs, even if you only want a Masters. This is a well known trick and well accepted trick for increasing your financial support. Ph.D. students get paid better, and you can "change your mind" and graduate with a Masters instead at any point after you pass your exams. For you, this might be an especially good strategy: the diverse background is particularly attractive if they think you are going to bring that perspective to generating new ideas and new research for them.
posted by yeolcoatl at 11:32 AM on December 11, 2012
Officially, there is essentially less math on the general GRE than there is on the SAT. Being more mature mathematically might do your score a bit of good, but exposure to calculus won't, in and of itself. The margin for error in the math section of the general GRE is very low--perfect or near perfect scores are more common than you'd expect.
I echo that the potential red flag is your apparent lack of upper level math coursework, but presumably you have information about what kind of background they expect (this is usually on the website).
posted by hoyland at 2:51 PM on December 11, 2012
I echo that the potential red flag is your apparent lack of upper level math coursework, but presumably you have information about what kind of background they expect (this is usually on the website).
posted by hoyland at 2:51 PM on December 11, 2012
Looking at the Georgetown FAQ, it looks like you *might* have the bare minimum background they require. Have you contacted them to discuss your situation as the page below suggests?
http://math.georgetown.edu/programs/graduate/224435.html
I would guess that you will a) have a better chance of admission, and b) more importantly, actually do much better in the program if you can take a few upper division math courses in the coming year and then apply for the program the following year.
posted by ktkt at 4:17 PM on December 11, 2012
http://math.georgetown.edu/programs/graduate/224435.html
I would guess that you will a) have a better chance of admission, and b) more importantly, actually do much better in the program if you can take a few upper division math courses in the coming year and then apply for the program the following year.
posted by ktkt at 4:17 PM on December 11, 2012
Is there any chance I get into any programs at all?
Here's a question for you: Does it matter? There are too many people out there in crappy programs that don't align with their interests because they took whatever accepted them first. Grad school will be there next year (and the year after that as well!). If you find a great spot this year, then great. If not, you will come back next year with more experience and having had more time to narrow down your interests*. That means not only can you relax right now, you can also be choosy when you do get acceptance letters. Don't buy the first one you see, in other words.
*A very good thing, by the way, you should read all the prior askmes on the importance of knowing your career path post grad school before you begin grad school, especially when self-funded!
posted by anaelith at 4:18 AM on December 12, 2012
Here's a question for you: Does it matter? There are too many people out there in crappy programs that don't align with their interests because they took whatever accepted them first. Grad school will be there next year (and the year after that as well!). If you find a great spot this year, then great. If not, you will come back next year with more experience and having had more time to narrow down your interests*. That means not only can you relax right now, you can also be choosy when you do get acceptance letters. Don't buy the first one you see, in other words.
*A very good thing, by the way, you should read all the prior askmes on the importance of knowing your career path post grad school before you begin grad school, especially when self-funded!
posted by anaelith at 4:18 AM on December 12, 2012
This thread is closed to new comments.
They expect perfect math scores, but great verbal scores show a well rounded person.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 11:06 AM on December 11, 2012