Below are some Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and answers regarding admissions into the graduate program at the FSU Mathematics Department.
| To what addresses should I send application materials? |
You should send your University Application and materials (online or hardcopy) as directed at https://admissions.fsu.edu/gradapp/. The mailing address for the $30 Processing Fee, Two Official Transcripts, GRE Scores, and TOEFL Scores is:
Florida State University
Office of Admissions
282 Champions Way
Tallahassee, FL 32314-5000
You should complete the Departmental Application online.
Four letters of recommendation (suggest e-mail to graduate_admissions@math.fsu.edu with signed copy to follow).
Photocopies of all Transcripts (unofficial ones are acceptable) are sent to:
* Graduate Admissions Coordinator
Mathematics Department
Florida State University
Room 208, 1017 Academic Way
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4510
| How many transcripts should I send? |
For FSU Admissions, send two official transcripts from every college and university attended must be submitted. Transcripts are considered official when they bear an official seal and signature and are sent from the issuing institution directly to FSU's Office of Admissions (address is above). (Photocopies of your official transcript or unofficial transcripts may be sent to the Mathematics Department. [address is above *])
| What is the school code for submitting test scores? |
The school code for FSU is 5219. ETS will send the scores directly to the Office of Admissions.
| Is it possible to be admitted in any term? |
First-year course sequences in all four department specializations begin in Fall term (just after August 20). Spring term admission (just after January 2) is unusual. If desired, e-mail graduate_admissions@math.fsu.edu to see if such is academically feasible for you. Many "new Fall" students begin in Summer "C" (just after June 20) instead of Fall. In particular:
(1) Students in any area who have not completed undergraduate Complex Analysis may wish to take advantage of FSU's offering of this during the second 6 week summer term "Summer 'C'" (beginning around June 25), Applicants should correspond with the Director of their area after they have completed the online application and provided transcripts and recommendations; they can determine whether Summer "C" entry is advised. Also, students in Financial Mathematics who have not commpleted the undergraduate Finance Department equivalent to FSU Fin 3403, 3244, or 4504 must enter in Summer "C" and complete the prerequisite (for required first term FIN 5515) before the Fall term begins.
(2) Practice in Spoken English (in addition to the teaching workshop) is available in Summer "C" and is advised for International students whose first language is not English.
(3) Students awarded Financial Aid as Teaching Assistants may request to begin Summer "C" to complete the teaching workshop and to get settled in the area. A small additional stipend may be available. There is a nice break between end of Summer "C" and start date for Fall.
| Is initial department financial aid awarded only in the Fall term? |
Teaching assistantship awards may begin with a small stipend in the last session of the Summer term, so that students may enroll in an orientation program designed to prepare them for duties in the Fall term, or may begin with the Fall term. This requires the strong academic recommendation of the area Director. It is possible, though not usual, that some awards may begin in the Spring term.
| Is there a department form for financial aid? |
If the applicant answers "Yes" to the question "Seeking Financial Aid?" on the Departmental Online Application, then the applicant will be considered for financial aid in the form of a departmental teaching or research assistantship. There are other sources of financial aid extended by the Office of Graduate Studies. The applicant must investigate and apply for these sources separately through that office.
| Is there an online department form for submitting letters of recommendation? |
There is no recommendation form. We request four (4) free-style letters from persons familiar with the academic background of the applicant. One or two of the four may be from job supervisors if the applicant has been employed full-time after the bachelor's degree. These should be sent by e-mail to graduate_admissions@math.fsu.edu.
Hardcopy on letterhead stationery should be mailed to the Mathematics Department as follow-up to the email. Note:
Graduate Admissions Coordinator
Mathematics Department
Florida State University
Room 208, 1017 Academic Way
Tallahassee, FL 32306-4510
Email: graduate_admissions@math.fsu.edu
FAX: (850) 644-4053 Attn: Graduate Admissions
| Will the GMAT substitute for the GRE? |
There is no substitute for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
| Can all materials required by both University Admissions and the Math Department be sent in one package? |
Filling out and submitting the online Florida State University Application (Domestic and International Applicants) IS REQUIRED IN ADDITION to filling out and submitting the online Department of Mathematics Application.
Yes, sending all materials in one package is acceptable, though doing so may significantly slow response.
| What are the deadlines and what happens if I miss a specified deadline? |
We will accept applications and supporting materials after the posted deadlines; however, please be aware if you are an international applicant the processing of materials takes longer.
| Where can I find more information about the University graduate application process? |
The FSU Office of Admissions website is accessible by this link: https://admissions.fsu.edu/
To be more specific:
Domestic applicants can find information at Domestic Graduate Admissions and Domestic Graduate Procedures and Requirements; and
International applicants can find information at International Graduate Admissions, Prospective International Students and FSU's International Center.
However, the Graduate Online Application (Instructions) allows you to apply as a Domestic or International Graduate Student. The text of the "Graduate Online Application (Instructions)" starts with "Before You Begin...We want to make sure that you have the right application. In order to assist us in helping you, please answer the questions below.
| What are the minimum GRE scores? |
The general test is required with a minimum of 700 on the quantitative portion and a minimum total (Q + V) of 1100. The test must have been taken in the last five (5) years. The Mathematics Subject test is not a requirement, but may be submitted to augment the application.
| What range of GRE scores are considered for TA/RA/Fellowship funding? |
Both Q and V scores must be very high for FSU Fellowship consideration. For Departmental funding, scores are needed above the minimum acceptable (above). Current PhD Candidates (advanced student writing dissertations), at the time they entered the department, had a range of Q = XYZ to ABC, and a range of of Q+V = PQRS to TXYZ.
| What range of GRE scores are expected for award of financial aid (TA/RA/Fellowships)? |
Last year we found that the majority of our PhD awardees in the preceding three years 800 on GRE Q, although one new PhD had entered with GRE Q = 700!
So how about current students? Defining "successful" as a student well into writing of the dissertation, hence beginning at least the Fourth Year of graduate work, we have 35 of these advanced students in Fall 2008. 15 of them had GRE Q = 800; 15 others were (740-790). But 5 were 710 or below. The GRE (Q+V) sum is also an FSU admissions parameter (despite being a sum of apples and oranges which can be argued as meaningless). A quick check of the above 35 students showed 10 had GRE (Q+V) 1400 or higher, but 5 were below 1100.
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Last modified: 14 August 2008
