Math degree and trad. graduate school

I've seen lots of DL colleges out there that offer a B.A. in Mathematics. I'm thinking of pursuing this course, with the thought of eventually going on to a traditional graduate school.
I've heard though that admissions rest heavily on letters of recommendation, along with school reputation (both of which could be a problem with a DL degree).

Can anybody speak personally to this, or have any advice on the matter?

Thanks for reading!

Christopher F.
Chicago, Illinois

 

I had no trouble finding DL professors to write letters of recommendation. To be safe, you could ask potential professors if they write letters of recommendation for DL students before you decide to take their courses. Of the four professors I asked, three provided letters. The one that declined said too much time had passed since I took her course and she did not remember me. If you earn a DL mathematics degree, with a high GPA and score well on the GRE you will have little difficulty getting into graduate school, and if you earn a high GPA you will have little trouble finding professors will to write letters.

And as far as school reputation goes, the only critical issue is regional accreditation. Nevertheless, many highly reputable schools offer DL programs.
Good luck.

 

I teach online at Saint Leo's. I am a good online teacher. Yet I have to admit that I do not believe my online students get s much as they do in person.

For one thing the time is just too short.

There is something about hanging out in the hall with your Math Professor working on problems all night that is hard to duplicate by distance education.

That said..I would go to a reputable traditional university which has a distance program and be sure to get to know some instructors. I would also participate in the schools Putnam competition and such if possible.

I suspect you cn get in from distance program but would have to PROVE the equivalence of your degree by going well beyond the curriculum offered.

Best

 

Christopher,

I am currently pursuing a BA in Math through Excelsior with hopes to go to a local B&M school for a graduate degree in Math afterwards (when my children are all schoolage). What I have done to try to improve my odds of getting in is study carefully both the graduate admission requirements and the undergrad math program at the school I want to go to. I will be taking considerable more math than would be required merely to to get the BA in Math. I have also planned my course of study so as to take multiple courses with the same professors where possible to increase the chances of getting good recommendations. I'll let you know in a couple years if it worked.

Elizabeth

 

Getting into grad math school depends a lot on where you want to go and whether you're going for a PhD or a masters. Good grades, decent recommendations, and good scores on GRE and GRE subject tests will get you in somewhere. All of this is doable via DL, but will probably take a little more work and ingenuity.

Then get this book and really work at doing the problems (seriously). If you can do some and understand the solutions to all, you're ready!

Berkeley Problems in Mathematics
Paulo N. De Souza
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0387008926/qid=1094099475/sr=8-1/ref=sr_8_xs_ap_i1_xgl14/104-3398171-5717562?v=glance&s=books&n=507846