Admissions

Application Deadline: January 31

Applications submitted by January 31 will be given full consideration. After this date, the graduate committee will review new applications through April or until all positions are filled.

How to apply

Applicants can apply one of two ways:

• To the Graduate College at OU (this method costs $50-100) or
• Directly to the Math Department (no fees).

To apply via the Graduate College, please see here.

To apply directly to the Math Department and avoid upfront fees, please apply via Mathjobs. Note, the application to the math department is much shorter, just 1 page.

Entrance requirements for our programs may be found here.

Required Application Materials

• Electronic application (one of the above two methods)
• Statement of interest
• Resume/CV
• GRE scores (only the general GRE is required, math subject GRE is not required, but encouraged)
• Three letters of recommendation
  These should be from people familiar with your work in mathematics. Please encourage your letter writers to read our advice for letter writers.
• Transcripts
  These should be copies of your recent, official transcript.
• International students only:
  • Proof of English proficiency. You need a TOEFL score of at least 79 or an IELTS score of at least 6.5. For more details, see here.
  • Financial support documentation will be need be submitted in the final application to OU, but not to the initial application to the Math Department. For more details, see here.
  • For all other Graduate College requirements for international students, see here.

All applicants will automatically be considered for a Graduate Teaching Assistantship.

Useful suggestions

When you fill out your online application form, choose either the MS program (if you are interested in a terminal Master's degree) or the PhD program.

Do not apply for the MA program, even though the online form allows for this possibility. You can earn an MA degree while being enrolled in the PhD program. If you are interested in a Master's degree only, you should choose the MS program.

Being timely, thorough and complete will increase your application's chances of acceptance.

In particular, make sure your references submit their letters of recommendation by the January 31 deadline.

What comes next?

After January 31, the Mathematics Department's Graduate Committee will review all complete applications. You will be notified of the department's decision via e-mail. As long as you have not received any notification, it means that no decision has been made.

OU is a signer of the Council of Graduate School's April 15 Resolution. This means that, in case we make you an offer, we will not require your response before April 15.

Once you have been admitted and accepted our offer, click here to see what to expect next.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will you review my application materials before I submit my application?

• No. We do not review applications, or application materials, outside the normal application process. Please submit your application online and we will review it during the spring admissions season.

Are assistantships reserved for PhD students only?

• No. For the PhD program, all successful applicants will be offered a teaching assistantships. For the MS program, we offer assistantships for domestic students, but not international.

Is the stipend that comes with an assistantship enough to cover all living expenses?

• Yes, the stipend is designed to cover all living expenses under normal circumstances. You will also receive a tuition waiver and basic health insurance.

Is there a minimum GPA?

• No. All GPA's will be considered, but generally successful applicants possess a 3.0 cumulative GPA from their undergraduate and/or graduate work. For international students, this can be difficult to compute/convert and so we recommend you submit an application and let us convert the GPA as we are reviewing applications.

Is there a minimum GRE score?

• No.

I only took the general GRE, not the GRE subject test. Is this a disadvantage?

• No. The GRE subject test is not required.

I am unable to submit a complete application by January 31. Will I still be considered?

• Yes. Your application will be reviewed as soon as it is complete. However, please make an effort to submit all your materials as soon as possible.

Do you admit students for the spring semester?

• No, the starting date for all students will be in the fall semester.

I have an undergraduate degree from a foreign institution and am not sure whether this makes me eligible to apply.

• This is almost never a problem. If you are worried, you are welcome to contact the Office of Graduate Admissions in the Graduate College and they will be able to help you determine your eligibility.