Just how good is publishing a paper? (re:math grad school)

Graduate School
1

<p>So, I’ve posted my stats up here before, and they actually seem kind of similar to the “chances??” thread that’s active right now</p>

<p>I have a general GPA of about 3.5, upper division math of about 3.7
Just took the General GRE, 800Q 650V, signed up for the Subject GRE
Will have letters of rec from a well known professor that I took topology with, an assistant professor I took algebra with, and a post-doc that led an REU I was involved in over the summer.</p>

<p>Not stellar, but solid.</p>

<p>Now, as alluded to in the subject line, in the REU, myself and 2 other undergrads discovered a new result and we are currently writing up the paper to publish. I am understandably very very happy about this, as it seems to be one of the really big ticket items for applying to grad school.</p>

<p>Being the math geek I am, knowing “it’s good” just … isn’t enough. I need quantification!</p>

<p>Can somebody give me an idea of how much publishing a paper (which will most likely only be submitted by the time I apply) will boost my stats?</p>

<p>danke</p>

2

<p>u can make it very very valuable if u can make an outstanding personal statement because of it.</p>

<p>explain the process of creating the idea, writing about it, and seeing the paper through to publication - this should give u good fodder for your essay if you can use the topic to demonstrate your passion/interest in the subject matter and in academia.</p>