lycinsg

My school is ranked top 30ish in the US news ranking. Does it matter where it is ranked?

Is it really a bad thing to attending undergrad and grad school in the same school? This year was a horrible year and I had no acceptances but my school was kind enough to give me an offer which i gladly took. I heard it is frowned upon but does it really make that much of a difference? Should I try to transfer if I get the chance?

are we allowed to get food stamps?

for me, my primary interest will be what my school is good at and what the job market wants, which will mask my true interest disguised as my secondary interest

Remember, your overall GPA is not the only thing they look at. How well you do on classes that are important will give you more boost than say a 4.0 with easy classes. Therefore, I advice you not to take too many important classes together like what kimbanator said and just do your best. Also, as you take more classes in later years, your GPA is pretty much fixed at somewhere, so don't be too worried and let the stress affect your performance.

For our school, ASU's first class is RA while the second one is advanced multivariable calculus. I would take the first one, the second one seems like you can learn on your own, if schedule is a problem for you. 400 level RA seems like overkill... or is it?

It is a good school and recognized world wide. However, you might want to be careful about the requirements to apply. It seems like they need applicants to have a master's degree or in the process of getting one.

I think you should really go with it unless you are really confident in getting into top 5. However, it is really hard to say because next year is most likely not going to be any easier than this year as a lot of good applicants are applying again plus you have to compete with the 2011 class. NSF does send a strong signal but I wouldn't risk it. But that's just me.

Yup, second one looks about right.

Well, Maryland told me it is required to send in my fall grades. It depends on the schools but ask them to be on the safe side

It would be a good sign to the top 10 if you can do rigorous math and proofs. However, like what kimbanator said, you have to consider whether you can do well in that RA class and get your grades in on time. Unless you are not applying this coming cycle, which then will not be a problem.

I don't see a big issue in there. Seems like that is ideal choice. It looks like you have done everything possible to be competitive but I do advise that you have some research experience, doing an RA over the summer maybe.

Hmm, probably a little higher attrition rate, but also less funding for first years next year. I think schools usually gives funding priorities to current students. At least that's what I see in my school.

i think April 15th only applies to funded offers. But I'm not too sure.

haha, i don't think people will change preferences so easily from just one ranking