just wondering...

[jkq202]

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[pressmom]

In a way, it's difficult for the ad comms to tell if Major A at University Y is more difficult than Major A at University X or Major B at University X, etc. It becomes an impossible task for them to keep up. They may have a better idea of it's in their university system. (For example going from UT Martin to UT Knoxville.) But even then, it's really hard for them to compare.

You have a really good GPA. If you're enjoying the math double major, continue with it. A B+ in a difficult, non-pre-req class isn't going to break you. (A B+ in a pre-req isn't going to break you either, come to think of it.) If you're not enjoying it or you think you'd benefit from some variety, then make it a minor and take some other classes. It really is what is best for you.

 

[david594]

Hey,
I am just wondering if you guys think adcomm's will take into account the courses you took as your electives alongside your pre-reqs. I am a bio major, and trying to complete a double major with math...my gpa is still high (3.76 overrall, and 3.8 science), but I mean upper-level math classes are a lot harder than like environmental science or something. I got a B+ in my linear algebra class last semester, which brought my gpa down a bit..and next semester I'm taking ordinary differential equations (yikes!). Should I be trying to choose challenging classes, or just gpa boosters like most pre-meds/pre-vets at my school do? Also, along those same lines, do you think they take into account the particular school you went to in undergrad? Because from seeing some of my high school friends' workloads at their schools and stuff, I get the feeling my school is a bit more intense and challenging....

Most schools have some guideline on the website which tells you how the evaluate GPA's.

An example would be the bottom of this page which outlines who UTK evaluates GPA's http://www.vet.utk.edu/admissions/procedure.php

And as pressmom said its really impossible to compare the same major between different schools(let alone different majors).

(inserts foot in mouth)

My point is there is no real effective way for Ad-coms to compare students different GPA's from different schools. As such there tends to be a very cut and dry methodology to how students GPA's are evaluated. And this pretty much sets the rules for students who "game the system".

 

[nyanko]

Maybe I read it wrong, but you seemed to state that linear algebra and diff eq are upper level courses? I know where I did my undergrad those were both sophmore level courses. And to graduate every student took atleast one of those two(or a higher level course). I ended up taking Math Analysis 1.

ODE (ORDINARY Differential Equations) is absolutely an upper division course, even graduate level at some universities. Regular Diff Eq is a sophomore level course everywhere though. Elementary Matrix and Linear Algebra was a junior level course, as was a more advanced Linear Algebra course, as they should be. All of those courses, including Differential Equations, have Calc III as a prerequisite where I come from. So I don't know what you're thinking of.

 

[david594]

Your right.... I was way off base on that one. Just double checked. Whoops.

 

[jkq202]

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[hoodle]

take the hard classes and do well (a B+ is well, a C+ is not). Don't fret about not getting As. Your GPA is high enough that you're likely to make any cutoffs, especially with a corresponding high GRE. Any adcomm with a brain will be seriously impressed with your math major - proof that you are very smart indeed.

Adcomms were very impressed with the reputation of my undergrad and the courses I took there. Similarly, adcomms were impressed with my girlfriends' double chemistry and biology majors. They DO notice things that are above and beyond, as long as your basic stats are within the acceptable range. 3.7-3.8 is fine - enjoy your math!

 

[jkq202]

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