Admission Requirements

Thank you for your interest in mathematics graduate study at the University of Virginia. We hope you will decide to apply. An online application is available through the Graduate School office:

As the University's most international department, we welcome applications from International Students; such students should take particular note of the special instructions we list below.

Virginia residents should note the "Instate Educational Privilege Form" in the application package.

In making its decisions about admission and financial aid, the department is first and foremost looking for students that we feel will flourish in our program. To determine if a student will be successful, the department pays close attention to the overall undergraduate record, letters of recommendation, GRE scores (both on the general examinations and on the mathematics subject exam), and the student's personal statement.

Regarding the undergraduate record, the rigor of the applicant's mathematics program is an important factor; a good grounding in real analysis (as in our MATH 5310 and MATH 5330), algebra (as in MATH 5651/5652), and complex analysis (as in MATH 3340) is ideal. For students from smaller schools, we have found that a solid score on the Mathematics Subject Exam is a useful indicator of future success.

Students occasionally arrive with an area of interest in mind, planning to work with a specific research group: this is quite common for international students. Foreign applicants are particularly encouraged to contact our faculty about their specific mathematical interests.

Applicants whose native language is not English will need to demonstrate adequate English skills, but, to help with the application process of foreign students, we note that the mathematics faculty includes native speakers of Chinese, Russian, German, Italian, Polish, Croatian, and Hebrew.

Finally, we are looking for enthusiasm for mathematics in all its depth and beauty!

Admissions Checklist
To apply to our program, you will need to:

• fill out the basic application, which includes a personal statement,
• make arrangements to take the Graduate Record Exams (including the Mathematics subject test) and arrange to have the scores forwarded to us,
• have two or three letters of recommendation sent (electronically) on your behalf, preferably from teachers who have taught you in your most substantial mathematics courses,
• arrange to have official transcripts mailed to the Graduate School, and
• submit the $60 application fee with your application to the Graduate School.

Additional Admissions Information for International Students

• Foreign applicants need to submit a TOEFL (or IELTS) score indicating English proficiency. The minimal requirement for TOEFL in our department is generally set as 600 PBT (paper-based test) or its equivalent scores in other formats. This need not be submitted by international students who have already been enrolled for at least two years in an American university (e.g., in an undergraduate program). Taking the TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) is strongly encouraged because the speaking component is an important prerequisite in qualifying for teaching assistantships.
• On the online application form, foreign students without visas (e.g., those applying from overseas) should leave the questions about visa number and type blank.
• Once admitted, foreign students will need to submit the form 'Financial Guarantee and Personal Data for Foreign National Applicants.' This is needed by the University to process paperwork related to visas.

The following websites for international students should be helpful:

To receive full consideration for admission and financial aid, your application should be complete by JANUARY 15.

History of Mathematics
Students interested in our program in the History of Mathematics must also provide evidence of reading proficiency in two foreign languages, generally French and German. In their personal statements, they should address not only their mathematical preparation but also their competence in history and their specific interests in the history of mathematics. They are encouraged to learn about our program by contacting Professor Karen Parshall well before the application deadline.

Transfer Students
With the approval of the Department and the Dean of the Graduate School, up to one session of the required three sessions of graduate work may be completed at another graduate school. A Master's degree from another school automatically counts as 24 hours toward the Ph.D. degree.

Contact Information
Questions about our program can be directed to the admissions officer, Professor Greg Arone (zga2m @ virginia.edu).

Graduate School of Arts and Sciences
P. O. Box 400775
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4775
Telephone (434) 924-7184 (TDD: (434) 982-HEAR)

Admissions, Department of Mathematics
P. O. Box 400137
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, Virginia 22904-4137
e-mail: JulieR @ virginia.edu
Telephone: (434) 924-4918 (TDD: (434) 982-HEAR)