Re: The good thing is that you get your scores immediately after the end of the test,
What? I learn something new today. I heard that, for MCAT test takers, they have to wait for a month, occasionally even longer (if something not totally right or what) even though it is a multiple choice test (except for an essay) and the test is taken on the computer.
The GRE is a computer test.
Math grad school admissions are brutally competitive for the top schools (son over reached, then decided to finish second major in CS and work, sigh). Most, or many, will get an 800 on the regular GRE. The Math GRE has a scale of 900 and the 75th %ile will be somewhere in the low 800’s or high 700’s as I recall (you can look this up and find the correct info). This means there are plenty of students from all over the world who do well. Good grades from a school highly ranked for its math grad school is not enough.
The student needs to figure out objectives. This may mean area of study within math, future plans, ranking level of schools interested in.
Anecdote- I know of a math PhD with U Chicago and MIT credentials plus a fellowship who is still looking for a permanent type job. No guarantees for employment even with top credentials.
Is 75% good enough? That’s at about 780 in math GRE.
Can this PhD get a job in the industry? That’s where I am hoping my D will get interested after getting PhD. I am weary of academia.
In the results page , put in math and each person accepted or rejected can and frequent does put their stats : it is usually a red diamond- hover over it and it lists the stats. I don’t know of school stats but this gives you a good idea of gre subject scores. Frequently the applicants will also comment on their research papers gpa etc.
The GRE is now scored on a 130 to 170 scale.
From quora:
"One who scored an 800 on the old GRE math was in the 94th (or higher) percentile. On the new GRE, getting a 170 means you are in the 99th percentile.
These percentile measures indicate that fewer people will get a “perfect” math score. Those who were in the 94th through 98th percentile would have received a perfect 800 on math in the old GRE but will not receive a perfect 170 in math on the new GRE.
One who scored an 800 on verbal on the old GRE was in the 99th percentile, but a 740 was also in the 99th percentile. That means those who were in the top 1% in verbal on the old GRE had scores between 740 - 800. You could be in the top 1% and only score a 740. On the new GRE, one who scores a 169 or 170 is in the top 1%. 168 and below are no longer in the top 1%. This means that the top 1% for verbal is less spread out than it used to be. So one’s chances of getting a perfect 170 increase."
Econ grad programs also use the math score to winnow. My nephew, an economist, thinks this hurts the profession by funneling math heads into the top programs.
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m2ck, verbal is not an issue for my D. She was always good with words. With quant, she gets hung up on a problem and runs out time. One or two missed problems can be costly.
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Yes, because the test is adaptive. If you miss early, you’re screwed.
I believe she can take the exam once a month. I would suggest taking it in the end of Sept, and then again in October, and if need be, Nov
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Is 75% good enough? That's at about 780 in math GRE. <<<
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That’s the old GRE. and I would say, No, not for a math PhD. during the time of the old GRE, it was rather expected/given that a student would have a 800 in the Q. A high Math subject GRE is also needed.
Again, the competition is extremely rough for STEM PhDs. Not only are you competing against domestic students, but a whole bunch of int’ls who are coming in with extremely high stats. Since PhD programs are fully funded, they are very much sought after by int’ls as well.
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Anecdote- I know of a math PhD with U Chicago and MIT credentials plus a fellowship who is still looking for a permanent type job. No guarantees for employment even with top credentials.
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The problem is likely that he’s too expensive for the hiring companies. Many companies will think, “hmmm… I can hire a Pure Math or Applied Math (whichever one is needed) BS grad to do what I need.”
Really, what is a math PhD doing for most companies that someone with a BS or MS can’t do? Because of that, they’re too expensive to hire.
How about a project leader in R&D?
I don’t know about math programs, but for experiment-based (ie “hands-on” research based) biomedical PhD programs at the two institutions for which I have reviewed applications and interview applicants, the GRE scores are the least important of the 3 components: previous research experience (and reference letters or previous publications attesting to the quality of this and the research potential of the applicant), GPA, and GRE. As someone mentioned upthread, poor GRE scores can sink an application for us, but stellar GRE scores will not be any advantage. We look at the percentile scores for any warning signs, but otherwise don’t pay much attention to the GRE scores.
What is considered warning signs? Is anything below 90% alarming? My D is good with all the other aspects of application. She had a decent breakthrough in her research over the summer. GPA and recs should be superb.
<<< How about a project leader in R&D? >>
Maybe, but would that be a math PhD? or an eng’g or physics PhD? Not sure.
But, the issue is probably that few/any get hired right out of a PhD program and into the role of Project Leader in R&D. That is usually someone who has been promoted into the job after 10+ years experience.
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As someone mentioned upthread, poor GRE scores can sink an application for us, but stellar GRE scores will not be any advantage.
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Right, stellar GRE scores won’t substitute for a lack of research experience, etc.
But…poor GRE scores (in STEM) can be the reason for being kept out of the initial down-selection.
For an unemployed math PhD how about a job in actuarial science or a job working for Epic in Verona, WI?
I know someone with pure math PhD (topology) has a job with an insurance company. She is not an actuary.
Topology can also be used in network as in computer networks.
Check out ‘http://www.mathematicsgre.com/’. Lots of good information about what students/scores are accepted into different programs. DS in 3rd year of a math PhD program. Had an 800 Math GRE and 76% (around a 760, I think) on the subject test. Got into a few top 50 programs, but only after the first tier students had made their decisions.
Remember, the MATH GRE test must be taken. 75th %ile- on the math GRE- getting in depends on the school.
But that PhD won’t have taken any of the actuarial exams. S/he’ll be starting from scratch in that profession. S/he will probably do well in it, but so can smart math majors who only have a Bachelors degree.
GRE scores are important, but I think recommendations count more many times. If a respected professor gets a good word in for you to admission folks it can go a long ways helping you gain admission to a graduate program.