- #1
regginbrow
- 2
- 0
I graduated the middle of the last decade with a BS in mathematics. I've been working as an actuary since graduation, and completed all the exams just a few years after graduation. The money is very nice, but I find myself completely uninterested in business, and am kicking around the idea of returning to graduate school for math, ideally on a PhD track. There are a few problems with my application, however, and I'm interested in seeing if there are any ways to make myself a stronger candidate. I don't plan to return for at least a few more years to save up some cash, so there is time for me to improve myself.
First, I never really planned on going to grad school while an undergrad, so I did not take every upper level math course I could (missing complex analysis, topology, number theory). I am very skilled at self-study, so I am confident that I will be able to teach myself this material on my own time, but I don't know how to demonstrate this to admissions. Since I'm working full-time, ideally I'd be able to take courses at night, on weekends, or online and rock an A on all of them, but that doesn't seem to be possible with upper level math courses. The best I seem to be able to do is rock the GRE instead.
Second, I don't have much in the way of research. I did a senior-level honors thesis that did have original research in it, but I am definitely not published anywhere (no REU, etc.).
Third, recommendation letters. I can probably still count on a strong letter from my thesis adviser, but I don't know what to do for the other two letters. I've been out of school long enough that I can't just ask random former professors and expect to get strong letters from them.
I was as strong student, with 3.9/3.6 math/cum GPA, at a top tier liberal arts college. However, I did not gear myself towards grad school, and my CV reflects that. Given that I will not apply for at least 2-3 years, is there anything I can do to improve it? Are there any kind of non-degree math courses that would be available to someone working full-time (nights/weekends/online)? My ideal situation would be to take courses at a nearby school of this variety, ingratiate myself with some professors, and start helping them out on research. Is this even possible, without returning to school full-time for a second bachelors degree?
Thanks
First, I never really planned on going to grad school while an undergrad, so I did not take every upper level math course I could (missing complex analysis, topology, number theory). I am very skilled at self-study, so I am confident that I will be able to teach myself this material on my own time, but I don't know how to demonstrate this to admissions. Since I'm working full-time, ideally I'd be able to take courses at night, on weekends, or online and rock an A on all of them, but that doesn't seem to be possible with upper level math courses. The best I seem to be able to do is rock the GRE instead.
Second, I don't have much in the way of research. I did a senior-level honors thesis that did have original research in it, but I am definitely not published anywhere (no REU, etc.).
Third, recommendation letters. I can probably still count on a strong letter from my thesis adviser, but I don't know what to do for the other two letters. I've been out of school long enough that I can't just ask random former professors and expect to get strong letters from them.
I was as strong student, with 3.9/3.6 math/cum GPA, at a top tier liberal arts college. However, I did not gear myself towards grad school, and my CV reflects that. Given that I will not apply for at least 2-3 years, is there anything I can do to improve it? Are there any kind of non-degree math courses that would be available to someone working full-time (nights/weekends/online)? My ideal situation would be to take courses at a nearby school of this variety, ingratiate myself with some professors, and start helping them out on research. Is this even possible, without returning to school full-time for a second bachelors degree?
Thanks