Pure Math PhD

These are the only schools that matter. If you aren't doing a PhD at one of these schools then you are a brainlet.

good job, you sure showed all those brainlets in ENS their place

I'll keep it in mind. One of my professors went to one of those and I alreay have a close relation to him from being outstanding in a class he gave me and then helping him with a project.

If I get him to write me a letter of recommendation am I guaranteed to be accepted?

>If I get him to write me a letter of recommendation am I guaranteed to be accepted?
yes, 100% guaranteed.
no dude it's doubtful they even will remember who he is

>no dude it's doubtful they even will remember who he is

Really? I think they will. I mean, he got a PhD there. That is a big deal right? They must remember all of their doctors. That is something important to remember

And in the US isn't legacy valued?

Oh, and I forgot. I am foreign, and my skin is brown (not black though). Does that plus a letter of recommendation guarantee I'll be accepted?

>And in the US isn't legacy valued?
that's not what legacy is. if your professor was your dad that would be legacy.
>Really? I think they will. I mean, he got a PhD there. That is a big deal right? They must remember all of their doctors. That is something important to remember
who is "they"? the school? maybe the PI will remember them sure, but im willing to bet the program dean has changed, same with PIs.
>They must remember all of their doctors. That is something important to remember
i dont know why you think this at all
>Oh, and I forgot. I am foreign, and my skin is brown (not black though). Does that plus a letter of recommendation guarantee I'll be accepted?
NO

how about you get in on merit?

Where are Oxford & Cambridge?

>that's not what legacy is. if your professor was your dad that would be legacy.

Ah damn. Shit.

>who is "they"? the school? maybe the PI will remember them sure, but im willing to bet the program dean has changed, same with PIs.

But my professor must be in some list somewhere. In his letter he just has to allude at the fact that he got his PhD there and then they will fact-check that and then they will think I am great because I am being recommended by their own doctors.

>i dont know why you think this at all
I mean, he spent years and years there. At least someone must remember. How could you forget a familiar face?

>how about you get in on merit?

I have a 3.8 GPA at the moment. I have the merit but I know that merit alone is not enough. People discuss it all the time here. People here say that politics is a big deal in university administration. That even if you are a straight A student, if you are white or asian then you are out. That is why I am looking for more than merit. I want to guarantee I will get into a nice university for my PhD. I want to work with the best.

>they will think I am great because I am being recommended by their own doctors.
what if they didnt think he was great? I really wouldnt put my acceptance in the hands of someone else's name being recognized.
>I mean, he spent years and years there. At least someone must remember. How could you forget a familiar face?
how long ago did he go? faculty turnover.
>I have a 3.8 GPA at the moment.
you're fine, stop worrying, and stop trying to be accepted somewhere you dont deserve.

mit student here. can confirm

currently doing 3 phds simultaneously. pure math, compsci, and physics

really enjoy it.

advisor told me my starting salary is going to be at least, thats right, AT LEAST about $350k