Frequently Asked Questions

Ph.D. Program

1. What research areas do you have?
2. What is the stipend range and benefits?
3. What strengthens my application?
4. Do I need to take the subject GRE exam in mathematics to apply?
5. Do I need a Master's degree before applying to the Ph.D. program?
6. Do you accept students who only want to get a Master's degree at Baylor?
7. How long is the Ph.D. degree program?
8. Will I be teaching a class as part of my stipend duties?
9. Does Baylor pay for health insurance?
10. How do I find out about housing?
11. How many exams will I need to take?
12. Do I get my own private office?
13. Does Baylor pay for me to attend math conferences?
14. What resources for professional development and graduate life are there?
15. What TOEFL and verbal GRE scores do nonresidents need?

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Ph.D. Program

1. What research areas do you have?
We have seven active research clusters: algebra, analysis, differential equations, mathematical physics, numerical analysis (PDE's and linear algebra), representation theory, and topology.

2. What is the stipend range and benefits?
In terms of financial aid, all accepted students receive a Graduate Assistantship consisting of a stipend of $28,000 for 12 months, full tuition remission, no general student fees, annual travel funding for conferences, and an 80% subsidy for student health insurance. A $2,000 bonus is added to help with moving the first year.

3. What strengthens my application?
Some important areas that strengthen an application include excellent letters of recommendation and success in many proof based courses--beginning with real analysis and abstract algebra.

4. Do I need to take the subject GRE exam in mathematics to apply?
The general GRE test (quantitative and verbal) is optional. The GRE math subject test is not required.

5. Do I need a Master's degree before applying to the Ph.D. program?
No. The majority of our PhD. students enter the program with only their undergraduate mathematics degree. Some choose to get a MS along the way.

6. Do you accept students who only want to get a Master's degree at Baylor?
No.

7. How long is the Ph.D. degree program?
Some of our students complete a PhD. degree in 4 years, though most stay 5. Some choose to stay 6 years in order to publish more papers.

8. Will I be teaching a class as part of my stipend duties?
From the second year on, students typically teach one undergraduate class per semester. Student teachers are assigned an individual faculty teaching mentor.

9. Does Baylor pay for health insurance?
Please see the Health Benefits at the Graduate School page.

10. How do I find out about housing?
See the following web pages for a description of housing options near campus: off campus housing and graduate student housing.

11. How many exams will I need to take?
Students must pass a Qualifying Exam in two of the four year-long core areas (abstract algebra, applied mathematics, real variables, and topology). The Qualifying Exam is meant to certify competency over a whole year-long core area of mathematics.
Students must also pass a Preliminary Examination administered by a Preliminary Exam Committee of at least two people headed and chosen by the student's dissertation advisor. The Preliminary Exam is meant to certify beginning competency in the student's area of specialization.

12. Do I get my own private office?
Most of our student have their own private office.

13. Does Baylor pay for me to attend math conferences?
Yes--two a year! See here.

14. What resources for professional development and graduate life are there?
Tons--click here.

15. What TOEFL and verbal GRE scores do nonresidents need?
Typically, for nonnative speakers, we like to see at least at least a 90 on the TOEFL.
However, students who have graduated from a US university are not required to submit a TOEFL.

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