What are my chances for math grad schools?

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on a senior mathematics undergraduate seeking advice on applying to PhD programs in mathematics. With a GPA of 3.88 overall and 3.95 in math, the student has taken advanced courses and scored 820 on the Math Subject GRE. They have applied to prestigious institutions such as Harvard, Princeton, and Stanford but express concern about the competitiveness of their applications. Recommendations include applying to safety schools like Pitt and CMU to ensure options remain open.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of graduate-level mathematics courses such as algebra and topology
  • Familiarity with GRE testing, specifically Math Subject GRE
  • Knowledge of the graduate school application process in STEM fields
  • Awareness of research opportunities and publication processes in mathematics
NEXT STEPS
  • Research additional safety schools with strong mathematics programs
  • Learn about the application processes for master's programs in mathematics
  • Explore strategies for improving research publication chances
  • Investigate the implications of transferring between graduate schools
USEFUL FOR

Undergraduate mathematics students, prospective PhD candidates, and anyone navigating the graduate school application process in mathematics.

zyxw
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I am a senior who is applying to PhD programs in math. I am almost done with the applications, but should I apply to more schools?

Undergraduate Institution: One the top state schools (ranked top 10 in math)

Overall GPA: 3.88
Math GPA: 3.95

Courses: I have taken graduate level algebra, topology, commutative algebra, real/complex analysis, functional analysis, algebraic geometry, algebraic topology, algebraic number theory, analytic number theory

Math Subject GRE: 820/86%

General GRE scores: 168/156/4.0

Research/Publications:

-REU at William and Mary, which resulted in a paper that was recently published in Finite Fields and Their Applications

- REU at Williams College (SMALL), we just recently submitted a paper for publication

-Research with one of the professors in my school; we have gotten some good results but have not written a paper yet

Other awards:

- Putnam score of 50 (top 200)
- I received the annual undergrad algebra award from our math department
- IMC Third Prize
- 2nd place in the annual math competition at my school

I have applied to:
-Harvard
-Princeton
-Stanford
-MIT
-UC Berkeley
-UCLA
-Columbia
-UChicago
-Northwestern
-Brown
-Wisconsin
-Yale
-Cornell

I am a little worried now because all of the schools that I have applied to are really competitive. Should I apply to a couple of safety schools? Will I be able to transfer to one of the schools listed above if I attend some other school?
 
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keep applying places if you can afford it, check out Pitt/CMU. It's def a good to apply to some safety schools that you would care to attend -- even if it was for all of grad school, or just for a masters.
 
Are those typos in your General GRE scores?
 

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