Everything You Wanted to Know about Graduate Study in Mathematics:

Questions and Answers for those who are considering going to graduate school.

Q. Why go to graduate school in mathematics?

To learn more mathematics.
To get a better job.
"I think I'd like to teach math."
"I don't know what to do, so I think I'll try grad school."
"My parent/advisor/teacher/friend thinks I ought to."

None of these is necessarily a bad reason (though you want to be careful about the last one). One all-purpose piece of advice is "Don't go to graduate school in mathematics unless you really like mathematics."

Q. What courses should I take to get ready for graduate school?

Advanced Calculus/Introduction to Analysis. A theory course in limits, continuity, and "epsilon-delta" proofs.
Matrices and Linear Algebra.
Courses that stress construction of proofs by the student (Analysis/Abstract Algebra/Topology).
Independent reading or undergraduate research courses or projects.

Q. Do I have to have an undergraduate major in mathematics?

No, not if you've taken the key courses (described above) and have good grades. Many mathematicians have undergraduate degrees in areas of science or engineering.

Q. How do I get information about graduate study?

Ask your advisor and your mathematics teachers about where to apply. They can usually suggest half-a-dozen programs that are appropriate to your interests and level of preparation.
Write to:
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Director of Graduate Studies
Mathematics Department
University of Your Choice
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and ask for information and application forms. They will be happy to send them.
There are some helpful books: Assistantships and Graduate Fellowships in the Mathematical Sciences contains profiles on hundreds of programs in mathematics, computer science and statistics. It is published annually in October, and should be available in your mathematics department or university library or from
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              American Mathematical Society            
              PO Box 1571, Annex Station
              Providence, RI 02901-1571
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Peterson's Graduate Programs in the Physical Sciences and Mathematics, Agricultural Sciences, Environment & Natural Resources appears annually in December. Copies are usually found in college libraries, career placement centers, and bookstores.
Attend a Graduate School Fair in your region. Argonne National Laboratory near Chicago holds one each October. Another occurs in November at Research Triangle Park near Raleigh, North Carolina.

Q. How do I apply to graduate school?

There are several things you need to do: 1.) Complete some forms, obtained from the program (usually, one for admission and another for financial aid). 2.) Take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and have the scores reported to the schools where you're applying. Almost all programs will require the GRE General Examination (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytic parts); some will ask you to take the Subject Test in mathematics. You should take it no later than December for enrollment the following Fall. 3.) Get three letters of recommendation, preferably from teachers of your advanced mathematics courses. 4.) Have transcripts of all previous university courses sent to the university.

Q. When should I apply?

Ideally, you'd like to make requests of others (for letters of recommendation, transcripts, and GRE scores) before Christmas vacation and have completed your application forms by January 1. Formal deadlines vary by department; only a few have cut-off dates earlier than February 1.

Q. How do I pay for graduate school?

In many cases, you don't pay - they pay you! Most mathematics graduate students are supported as Teaching Assistants (TA's), Fellowship holders, or as Research Assistants (RA's). Of these supported students, the overwhelming majority are TA's. Fellowships (which have no assigned duties) are usually held by the most outstanding students. RA's are ordinarily advanced students; the money usually comes from research grants awarded to their major professor. All these awards are competitive; not every applicant gets one.

Q. How much money will I get?

Enough to live on - frugally. The amounts vary; about $13,000 for the academic year with the possibility of additional pay in the summer. Tuition scholarships are usually included.

Q. What duties do TA's have?

Beginners usually assist a professor who is lecturing to a large freshman class. Ordinarily, TA's conduct three or four discussion sections per week, help students who ask for it, perhaps grade homework or examinations.
Later, TA's have more responsiblity. They may teach their own classes (one or two sections of the same 3-credit course). Typically, the TA's prepare their own lectures and assignments, and may write their own tests.
Still more advanced students will frequently have full responsility for teaching Calculus I, II or III.

Q. How does a graduate program choose me?

Graduate programs in mathematics want students with strong mathematical talent and the personal qualities needed for success in a demanding field - qualities such as commitment, willingness to work, intellectual curiosity. Letters of recommendation, from those who have taught the student advanced mathematics, are very important indicators of probable success. This is because these teachers can compare the applicant with other students who have gone on to graduate study. Grades are important - especially grades in advanced math courses. Finally, GRE scores allow some comparison of applicants from different colleges.

Q. Once I have narrowed my choices, how do I decide where to go?

Visit the school, sit in on some classes, talk to the faculty, and, most important, talk privately to several graduate students. Some of the things you'd like to know:
1. Are the faculty really interested in students and committed to their success?
2. Do students like the department?
3. What jobs do their graduates get?
4. How much student/faculty and student/student mathematical contact is there?

Q. What does UK offer?

The University of Kentucky offers Master's and Ph.D degrees in both pure and applied mathematics. The program emphasizes frequent informal mathematical contact between students and faculty.
Lexington is a city of 270,000, located in the center of a region which is world-famous for its thoroughbred horse farms and natural beauty.
Visit our graduate program homepage for detials. If you would like more information and application forms you may submit a request online or contact:
Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Mathematics
715 Patterson Office Tower
Lexington, KY 40506-0027

859 257 6808 [Graduate secretary]
859 257 4653 [Director of Graduate Studies]
800 357 1113 [toll free]
859 257 4078 [FAX]

math-dgs@ms.uky.edu

Department of Mathematics