When should I apply? We admit new students for the fall semester. To receive full consideration for assistantships, submit your application by January 1. Do you admit students in the spring or summer? We rarely admit students for the spring semester, although openings may occur when funding becomes available. We make spring admission decisions in November. We do not admit students for the summer semester, but students admitted for fall may occasionally begin in summer. If you have questions, email us at grad@math.uga.edu. What additional application materials must I submit? In addition to your online application to the University of Georgia Graduate School, submit the following materials: One unofficial copy of your transcript or academic record from each institution you have attended (upload with your application). Official TOEFL or IELTS scores, if required, reported electronically to the Graduate School by the testing agency. Three letters of recommendation submitted electronically through the link the Graduate School sends to each recommender after you complete your online application. A personal statement submitted with your online application. Include your name on the statement. Complete the Department Supplemental Application/Background and Interest Form online. A list of college mathematics courses, including textbooks used (if known), grades received, and overall mathematics GPA. Submit the list with your application or email it to the Department of Mathematics; see the mathematics course-list instructions. Your area of mathematical interest, if known, and any professors you would like to work with or hear from. Include this information at the top of your mathematics course list. What is UGA’s ETS institutional code for sending GRE and TOEFL scores? UGA’s ETS institutional code is 5813. Do I need to take the GRE? We do not require GRE scores for applicants to the graduate program. You may include GRE scores in your application if you would like the admissions committee to consider them. What English language proficiency scores are required? The Graduate School’s English language proficiency requirements list the current TOEFL and IELTS minimum scores, accepted test formats, and possible exemptions. Applicants seeking teaching assistantships must also meet the separate English proficiency requirements in the UGA teaching assistant policy. How long are English language proficiency test scores valid? TOEFL and IELTS scores must be no more than two years old when submitted. See the Graduate School’s English language proficiency requirements for current details. What should I write in my personal statement? Your personal statement should explain why you want to pursue graduate study in mathematics and why UGA is a good fit. You may also discuss your mathematical interests, career goals, relevant coursework, and research experience. What financial support is available to graduate students? All PhD candidates receive financial support. Master’s students have received financial support only in very rare cases. Most support is provided through teaching assistantships. What are the duties of a teaching assistant? A typical first-year teaching assistant combines undergraduate grading with study hall duties. Second-year teaching assistants typically teach a precalculus section and may also grade or supervise study hall. More experienced teaching assistants usually teach their own calculus courses. Does my undergraduate degree need to be in mathematics? Not necessarily. Applicants may hold a bachelor’s degree in mathematics or a closely related, mathematics-intensive field such as physics. We look for coursework such as multivariable calculus and linear algebra. What math courses should I have taken? Applicants should have coursework roughly equivalent to a bachelor’s degree in mathematics from the University of Georgia, including multivariable calculus, linear algebra, and differential equations. MA and PhD applicants should also have completed at least two of the following: abstract algebra, real analysis, and topology. Additional coursework in advanced calculus or numerical analysis is helpful. Do I need to submit English proficiency scores? See the Graduate School’s country-specific requirements to determine whether you must submit English proficiency scores. Do you admit master’s degree applicants? Yes. We welcome applications from prospective master’s students, but financial support is available only in very rare cases. If you plan to self-fund, email us at grad@math.uga.edu. What are we looking for in an applicant? We review each application as a whole, considering mathematics coursework, textbooks used, grades, the personal statement, curriculum vitae (CV), and letters of recommendation. These materials may also highlight relevant activities outside the classroom. Do I need to get an advisor before applying to the program? We admit students to the PhD program rather than to work with a specific professor. Students typically choose an advisor after spending a few years in the program. Can I get an application fee waiver? The Department of Mathematics does not offer application fee waivers. The Graduate School accepts certain waivers; review its application fee information for eligibility details.
