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NB888 · 2009 July 1st, 08:46 PM

I have no idea where you might apply or what your chances might be.

I think there might be some age discrimination, but not insurmountable. I vaguely recall hearing about a professor who applied to the Ph.D. program of UC-Berkeley. He had 800's on the GRE, and (I think) a math bachelor's degree from the 1960's, and was in his forties. They rejected him, and then he threatened to sue them for age discrimination, and he thinks he would have won. Berkeley then decided they would rather offer this old man admission than participate in his fun lawsuit. He then finished the Ph.D. at about age 46. Had a bunch of visiting positions, including a few years in Spain. Got his first tenure track job at about age 51. Then got tenure at about age 58. His list of publications is now long and includes stuff in AER and Econometrica.

I'm guessing his math background was better than yours so that may have helped him. Math background might be the weakest thing in your application.

I consider EPGY something like a "cash cow". They just collect a few hundred dollars for letting someone submit the answers of their online math computer program. Back when I was in high school, EPGY courses were rather fashionable. My high school had many kids (not me) who dreamed passionately of being at the most elitist and prestigious universities ever. Some of them tried to use EPGY courses to gain an edge. It has always struck me as a dumb idea. I don't know how much value they have for adcoms. I'd stay away from them unless there is really clear reason to conclude they're beneficial. If you were to buy used textbooks for $5 and do all the problems, you'd learn more. Some of the kids who did EPGY courses when I was in high school considered them "stupid" and "worthless".

I do not know what would be the best way for you to send a signal of a strong mathematics background, or to gain/improve such a thing. But, I'm a skeptic of EPGY and online education, so I'd be inclined to look at the other and cheaper options before going that road. EPGY is definitely not the best and cheapest way to gain a strong math background, and I'm very skeptical of the notion that they'd be the best way to signal such a thing.

2009 July 1st, 08:46 PM	#6 (permalink)
NB888 Within my grasp! Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 108	I have no idea where you might apply or what your chances might be. I think there might be some age discrimination, but not insurmountable. I vaguely recall hearing about a professor who applied to the Ph.D. program of UC-Berkeley. He had 800's on the GRE, and (I think) a math bachelor's degree from the 1960's, and was in his forties. They rejected him, and then he threatened to sue them for age discrimination, and he thinks he would have won. Berkeley then decided they would rather offer this old man admission than participate in his fun lawsuit. He then finished the Ph.D. at about age 46. Had a bunch of visiting positions, including a few years in Spain. Got his first tenure track job at about age 51. Then got tenure at about age 58. His list of publications is now long and includes stuff in AER and Econometrica. I'm guessing his math background was better than yours so that may have helped him. Math background might be the weakest thing in your application. I consider EPGY something like a "cash cow". They just collect a few hundred dollars for letting someone submit the answers of their online math computer program. Back when I was in high school, EPGY courses were rather fashionable. My high school had many kids (not me) who dreamed passionately of being at the most elitist and prestigious universities ever. Some of them tried to use EPGY courses to gain an edge. It has always struck me as a dumb idea. I don't know how much value they have for adcoms. I'd stay away from them unless there is really clear reason to conclude they're beneficial. If you were to buy used textbooks for $5 and do all the problems, you'd learn more. Some of the kids who did EPGY courses when I was in high school considered them "stupid" and "worthless". I do not know what would be the best way for you to send a signal of a strong mathematics background, or to gain/improve such a thing. But, I'm a skeptic of EPGY and online education, so I'd be inclined to look at the other and cheaper options before going that road. EPGY is definitely not the best and cheapest way to gain a strong math background, and I'm very skeptical of the notion that they'd be the best way to signal such a thing.