Application experience of undergraduate students majoring in mathematics and applied mathematics of grade 99 in CUHK Department of Mathematics;

Gpa: 86, professional GPA: 88t: 53/64/62 4.0 (tested on 53/67/60 4.0, 2003. 1).

Gre (Computer Test): v680a:720 q:790 No sub, no TSE, no cattle recommendation, no papers.

Offer: Tufts University (Probability and Statistics) (reapplied in mid-March)

Syracuse University (Statistics Department of Mathematics)

Ad: Osu (statistics) RPI (applied mathematics)

Rejected: CIT, Dartmouth, Rice, Wisconsin, CMU, Wustl, Notre Dame University, NYU, Tamu (Mathematics), Uga (Statistics).

The latter applied for it Sign vain, and these schools took their time. When they did come, the food was cold.

Waiting list: Austin, Texas (Applied Mathematics), Rochester Statistics, UFL Statistics Tamu (Statistics)

Withdrawn: CWRU, Buffalo, Suny.

Schools in California didn't apply for math, which is why they are so upset now.

Get a card before applying for a math major, or you will be exploited by the Bank of China.

My background

First of all, I don't know enough about mathematics, because the course arrangement in the department is unreasonable, and I haven't learned functional analysis, abstract algebra and topology. Therefore, it is basically difficult to apply for the top 30 in mathematics without taking the sub-exam. There are several sub in 30-50 years, such as osu, nyu, Minnesota, Purdue, Notre Dame, etc. If it's Peking University or Fudan University, China University of Science and Technology or Tsinghua, it may not be necessary because of them. Our basic class is ok, but I am not a basic class.

Why don't you take the sub exam?

Why don't you take the sub exam? Because the registration form was filled in incorrectly at that time, and the test center was filled in, the result was returned without reporting, but even if it was reported, it might not be good, so even if it was reported, it is best not to tell the other party that you took the test. If you fail in the exam, if someone asks you, you are hopeless. If you want to apply, you must send the form as early as possible, preferably in July and August. Unlike ordinary exams, sub exams are not registered online.

Application overview

I have only studied a little statistics course, so there is basically no scholarship for applying for statistics before 20, because the competition in statistics is fierce now. There are generally more than 400 people signing up for osu, and uga even has 3: 180. Wisconsin didn't even advertise this year. Because economics, computer and other majors want to change, many people who are good at math also want to change. It is easy for me to apply for applied mathematics, but many applied mathematics are still in mathematics, so it is still difficult. Moreover, Americans and Indians also want to go to various places, so the competition is generally not much worse than statistics, so I have almost no advantage in applying. Although I have studied computer programming, I can use math software. Statistics and applied mathematics basically don't need to take sub, but people like Wisconsin, Cmu, nyu, etc. Don't separate numbers from pure numbers. Because I got good grades in some major math courses (which have a lot to do with probability and statistics), I was lucky that Professor Tufts took a fancy to me, and it is also possible that my background is suitable for their research group. Perhaps Syracuse has achieved good results in my main mathematics subjects, such as mathematical analysis, real change, complex change, algebra, and a little statistical background, so the dean of their department asked me to give me an offer, or maybe my PS specially wrote some details of their department.

In short, the major you want to apply for, even the courses in the direction, must be good. It doesn't matter if the courses unrelated to the major are not good, but it is better to score above 70. Of course, high grades are still good. Therefore, it is difficult for people without a mathematical background to apply for statistics, which means you have to learn some mathematics and get good grades.

I didn't take the TSE exam. If you have the energy to take the exam, you give me a high score =50, which is useful, otherwise it is a waste of time. Therefore, this input is out of proportion to the output. And many schools don't require you to take the exam. Of course, you will do well in the exam, which will definitely help your application. Washington, CMU, University of Washington and UFL still need it.

GRE is generally rubbish. Maybe everyone doesn't like the computer test, but now people in China think they will pass the exam very well, so it's basically useless. Just through it. Don't spend too much time on it, and don't think that getting high marks will have any effect. Perhaps the written test is convincing, but it cannot change its position in the whole application. This is a necessary condition, but the weight is very low. TOEFL is more important than GRE. Listening is the most important thing for China students. Poor hearing, rejected by a better school. The best listening score is 57, and chicagao even requires 60. So the online pre-application was given by Msu, because the listening ability was too low, but fortunately the materials have not been sent yet. The TOEFL of teaching assistants is still very important.

As for TWE, 4 points in science is enough, and 5 points or more in liberal arts is the best. If you are similar to others in every way, T will do. Why didn't rip give me an award? It was because my TOEFL was not high enough. But your professional courses are not good, and TOEFL is useless no matter how high it is. If your major has a high GPA and strong research ability, you can pass the TOEFL line. Now let's talk about the foreign language examination arrangement. GRE is best to take the exam in March. Now, if you wait until 10, it is obviously late, and you get the results too late, you can take the TOEFL as soon as possible, but pay attention.

When will you take the TOEFL?

_, if you apply for 2005, you'd better take 2003. 10 or 2004.6438+0. Because if the exam is not ideal, you can have the opportunity to re-apply. Of course, if you don't have time or start preparing too late, you can take the TOEFL in August and the GRE of 10. But when I prepare again, I just have no bottom. I just took the TOEFL once, but I didn't do well in August, and then I didn't have time to make up the exam in June at 5438+ 10. So this is the disadvantage of my application, and I will apply with a score close to 600. However, if people really want you, you can cross the line, about 600 points or more. I mean science and liberal arts. I don't know how important TOEFL is. Before asking you, they will call you for an interview to hear how your spoken English is and what your answer is. Generally speaking, when dealing with telephone interviews, don't be nervous at first. Besides, don't ask the professor questions. You can answer each other's questions, and at the same time, you can use the topic to play a few words or extend some topics, so that you can take the initiative or simply ask each other a question. Of course, this question has something to do with what he asked you. In addition, after the general professor asks you questions, he will always ask you if you have any questions. If he doesn't ask, you can ask them on your own initiative, so be sure to prepare a few questions yourself. Before the telephone interview, you should prepare for the interview, make an appointment and calculate the time difference. The time difference between the United States and the United States is 13, but when Syr interviewed me, it happened that the United States changed its daylight saving time. Of course, the result was only 12, which made me realize that I was not fully prepared.

Generally speaking, it is difficult for undergraduates (except those with special talents) to publish articles, especially in mathematics, so professional achievements are more important. If you get good grades in your major and your papers are published in important journals, your chips will be greatly increased. If you are a graduate student, the thesis is very important. It doesn't matter if there is no undergraduate course. If you don't have a good paper, people will think you have no research ability.

Recommendation letters

As for the recommendation letter, it would be useful if a cow teacher wrote a recommendation letter to you, which means that she has a certain international reputation in her own field. But if you want to find the right teacher, you'd better not do it. You apply for statistics and ask the topology teacher to write you a letter of recommendation. If the referee has contact with the professor over there, it is generally more effective, otherwise the effect is limited. But I'm not a cow, so it's useless to consult a cow. If you don't have a letter of recommendation, find a suitable teacher to write a letter of recommendation for you. People also know that students in China like to write letters and sign their names to their teachers. However, you should not praise all the letters of recommendation, but express your advantages euphemistically. For example, sometimes you are too active to study hard, or you are disheveled because you study too hard. The date of the tutor's signature is later than your own, and it is the same day. Better deliver it early. It is required to send them separately. Anyway, it is good to send them together. My references are still very strict with me, and they also modify their letters of recommendation.

PS resume, etc

PS and resumes should be integrated with letters of recommendation, and they can promote each other without explanation. Resume should be concise, if you want to say it in PS, it will be easier. My resume is longer, because I can add a page of main course results and add some of my own specialties and hobbies. The foreign teacher said that my resume was too long, but it was not long. I just wrote it in the form. Maybe I have too much to say.

My PS 1 is more than half a page. The foreign teacher who helped me correct it said that professors in their department generally read only 1 page, and suggested that I shorten it to one page, but I didn't. If you think you have something to say, it doesn't matter, but if you have something to say, every sentence should be dispensable. It turns out that the PS I sent to the schools that gave me the offer were all longer, because their departments were special. It is important to explain your professional background, hobbies and expertise, as well as useful experience for the application. Of course, it varies from person to person. In addition, I have to write my name at the top of every page, and there are other contact information, such as emial, which was told by my foreign teacher. Of course, if you are a beautiful mm, you might as well put beautiful photos on the scan, which may have unexpected effects. After all, there are few beautiful women outside China. PS be careful not to copy other people's examples or have the same experience with others. Again, personally, Ps is to show your ability and writing ability, so you should grasp it well or write it yourself, which can improve your writing ability. Of course, if I have more experience, then PS can play a great role, so I need to constantly change it and let different people change it. I remember that one in Tsinghua was changed to 15 people. Therefore, the earlier you prepare the materials, the better, so you should take the English exam as soon as possible.

School choice

School selection strategy is more important, which is related to whether there is an offer. The quantity varies from person to person. General 10- 15 special cattle, general 15-20 second special cattle. Of course, you can get more than 20 for the commitment of time and energy, and even Canada can apply for a certain amount, but even the best grades should be opened, before 10, 10-20, 20-30, 30-50, 50-70, 70-100,660. Of course, awesome people don't have to do all the results. Professional ranking is also very important, and tutors are also very important, because these are related to their future. Before the comprehensive ranking, it may be easy to get a visa and may satisfy your vanity. Then again, for those who have relatively no advantages, we can combine various school selection methods. For example, you can choose some ones with slightly higher comprehensive rankings but similar professional rankings, and at the same time choose some ones with worse comprehensive rankings and better professional rankings. Geographically speaking, California is generally popular, even if it ranks lower, the east is slightly better. I mean, generally speaking, the middle is the weakest competition. If you can stand the remoteness of the central region, you might as well apply there.