<p>I’ll try to keep this as short as possible. I have just finished my undergraduate studies in Pure Math and will be doing my Masters in Applied Math for the next 1-1.5 years. When I recieve my M.Sc. I intend on pursuing a doctorate in (Applied) Math in the UK at Cambridge, Oxford, Imperial COllege, or (not so much) Edinburgh.</p>
<p>I really want to keep this short so I won’t go into my background, but I’ll simply say that I think most of my academics will stand out. I am the only student at my University to ever complete a Bachelors of Math in two years and also graduate with the highest GPA among a class of ~3000 students (essentially perfect). I have also done a handful of research assistantships, notably in the field of Fluid Mechanics and Mathematical Genomics</p>
<p>However, what I am most worried about is research. The problem is that most mathematical research (especially in the Applied sections) require much time and effort. My supervisor himself has only published two papers since 2001 (though two very substantial papers).</p>
<p>What is worrying me is that I will most likely have published very little (if at all – depending on whether my thesis gets published before or after the admissions process) by the time I apply as a doctoral candidate. And furthermore, I am a bit jealous of other fields in math (say, Abstract Algebra), where the publications come a bit shorter and a bit quicker.</p>
<p>For physical and biological sciences, research is paramount in gaining PhD admissions. I don’t know about math, though. Why don’t you do the easy thing and email a few department chairs to discuss this issue with them directly? Getting PhD admissions is more than just a numbers game, and talking with the directors can really help you.</p>
<p>wait so let me get this straight, you, theo moore are a college graduate, an apparent genius, and you’re asking this type of question on this board, which is populated with high school students freaking out about sat scores. and nashtynash is not even out of college yet. in fact, he appears to be finishing up his first year - my point is, ask people who can give you real answers.</p>
<p>You’d be surprised, but there are ways people in college or even high school can know a good deal about grad school admissions. Plus all nash did was point him in the right direction.</p>
<p>I’m sorry, I had the impression that some of the older members from this board would be able to enlighten me on the subject.</p>
<p>I’m by no means a ‘genius’. I do think I’m bright and have the grades to show for it (I’m also a perfectionist). Then again, a high school teacher once told me “It’s the smart ones who realize there’s always someone out there that’s smarter”.</p>
<p>I have indeed tried to speak to a handful of people about general Ph.D. admissions. It’s difficult at my University as most of the professors are Canadian graduates. And well, Oxford and Cambridge are not typically within reach for students at my University so the admissions people never give me much advice (generally, they just gawk at my grades and tell me I have nothing to worry about). I have contacted the admissions from Oxford and Cambridge via e-mail but they were not at all helpful (and a bit rude, I must say). </p>
<p>However, I do plan to go over there, mostly to speak to any potential supervisors next summer.</p>
<p>Anymore input on this matter would be appreciated.</p>
<p>In US science grad school admissions, having your name on a paper is a great help toward getting into a top graduate program, but not all (or even most) of the people who are admitted have been published.</p>