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bigbadtaco · 10-12-2006, 03:34 PM

hey everone,

currently 3rd year at University of Cape Town (by far best university in South Africa), majoring in math, econ,
statistics. Since we have 3-year degrees here, I guess this would be considered equivalent to majoring in math (i'm
doing an honours degree in math next year) and minoring in the other two. Taking grad. econometrics (Phd/Masters
level) next year, along with topology (algebraic and point-set), functional analysis, measure theory. So far my
grades have ben good (top 10% of class) in everything. Unfortunately not much research experience; trying to get
some RA work but I think the only way to get something substantial to show an adcom would be a master's thesis.
(right?)

Obviously I'm desperate to get into the usual places (all of the top 10) plus I'm looking at UTexas-Austin,
UWisc-Madison, UMich-Ann Arbor, plus LSE and UCL as 'safeties'. Am I hopelessly deluded? My worries stem from the
fact that UCT is in South Africa, and therefore (I presume) completely off the radar for American adcoms. Will my
LORs be disregarded as a consequence of this? I could stay and do masters in either math or econ, but would that
even make a difference, assuming that my school will not be taken seriously? Is there anything I could do to remedy
this situation?

butler blue · 10-12-2006, 05:11 PM

Has your school sent anyone to U.S. grad schools recently? Were they went might give you a feel for where you could end up.

bigbadtaco · 10-12-2006, 05:14 PM

yes, several into umich and UCLA, and I know at least one guy was waitlisted (but then rejected) from princeton. interestingly several Harvard faculty recently collaborated with our department on evaluating South africa's new macroeconomic policy package.

bigbadtaco · 10-12-2006, 05:39 PM

oh, i guess i should mention that some of the UMich admits were masters students. the guy who got into ucla just had a four-year undergrad though. However, all of them had way weaker math than me. If that makes a difference.

10-12-2006, 03:34 PM	#1 (permalink)
bigbadtaco Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3	yet another anguished request for evaluation hey everone, currently 3rd year at University of Cape Town (by far best university in South Africa), majoring in math, econ, statistics. Since we have 3-year degrees here, I guess this would be considered equivalent to majoring in math (i'm doing an honours degree in math next year) and minoring in the other two. Taking grad. econometrics (Phd/Masters level) next year, along with topology (algebraic and point-set), functional analysis, measure theory. So far my grades have ben good (top 10% of class) in everything. Unfortunately not much research experience; trying to get some RA work but I think the only way to get something substantial to show an adcom would be a master's thesis. (right?) Obviously I'm desperate to get into the usual places (all of the top 10) plus I'm looking at UTexas-Austin, UWisc-Madison, UMich-Ann Arbor, plus LSE and UCL as 'safeties'. Am I hopelessly deluded? My worries stem from the fact that UCT is in South Africa, and therefore (I presume) completely off the radar for American adcoms. Will my LORs be disregarded as a consequence of this? I could stay and do masters in either math or econ, but would that even make a difference, assuming that my school will not be taken seriously? Is there anything I could do to remedy this situation?

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10-12-2006, 05:11 PM	#2 (permalink)
butler blue Within my grasp! Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 438	Has your school sent anyone to U.S. grad schools recently? Were they went might give you a feel for where you could end up.

10-12-2006, 05:14 PM	#3 (permalink)
bigbadtaco Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3	yes, several into umich and UCLA, and I know at least one guy was waitlisted (but then rejected) from princeton. interestingly several Harvard faculty recently collaborated with our department on evaluating South africa's new macroeconomic policy package.

10-12-2006, 05:39 PM	#4 (permalink)
bigbadtaco Trying to make mom and pop proud Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 3	oh, i guess i should mention that some of the UMich admits were masters students. the guy who got into ucla just had a four-year undergrad though. However, all of them had way weaker math than me. If that makes a difference.

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