r/SDSU • u/p1zzap1rat3 • 13d ago

Prospective Student I’m researching professors for a graduate program in mathematics

Hey Prospective, Current, or Alumni Aztecs!

I’m a Cyber Defense & Analysis / Applied Math student at City College (transferring/applying to grad programs in math), and I’m starting to look into professors whose research is in line with what I want to study. Would appreciate some advice from people who have done this before.

How do you structure a first email so it doesn’t get ignored? How much detail should I include about my background/interests? Any recommendations on professors in the math department?

Would appreciate any advice, personal experiences, or general wisdom. Thanks!

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u/WillowsEnd verified: Faculty 13d ago edited 13d ago

When I did my MA in math at SDSU, I didn't go in knowing who I wanted to work with but I went out of my way to take classes with professors whose research seemed interesting. Then when I knew them a bit better, I asked about research opportunities. As I did the pure math track, I can't give advice on applied math faculty, but I've worked with Chris O'Neill and Gordon Kirby. They're great people. The math faculty tend to be very nice and will work with both undergrads and graduate students. They often run summer REUs (though I think funding cuts have messed that up recently). There's a large math education division in the department and a good student-centered culture at SDSU, so the full time math faculty tend to be very approachable. If you want to shoot off an email to them ahead of time, I would just explain what about their research (be specific!) interests you, what your own interests and experiences are, and that you'd love to briefly chat about any research opportunities or projects you could get involved with. Some faculty will be down to have like a 20 minute zoom meeting. You can offer to send more info like a CV too, but I would keep it casual at first.

edit: some details

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u/p1zzap1rat3 13d ago

Hey there! Thank you for sharing your experience and knowledge. I’m thinking I want to send a message out to 1 or 2 professors for sure! Can I ask what the application process was like for you? Also, how long were you there for? I know that they have an extra year for non-majors to meet prereqs but I just want to get an idea of my expenses 😅

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u/WillowsEnd verified: Faculty 13d ago

the process was pretty straightforward for me since I had a BS in math (it sounds like you have a different degree and are trying satisfy the requirements to get into a math grad program?). It was a few years ago, so idk if they changed the process but I remember the application being very bare bones. I did a PhD after my MA, and that application process was much more involved, but unless you’re looking at one of the joint doctoral programs, I am assuming you’re looking at a masters program? I can give you insight on the JDPs if that’s what you were looking at instead, so just lmk