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Julia Eaton -- Eastern Tennesse State
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Posted by Michael Gage, 1/21/01 at 1:10:48 PM.
Last year I applied to a mathematics REU for the first time. Uncertain that I would be able to get in to one, I applied to thirteen. I believe that this was a good choice, because I got in to 3. I wasn't too sure I could get in to one at all because I had recently changed from a physics major to a math major, and I hadn't taken very many mathematics courses. Also, I found that it was a good idea to ask for recommendations *early* because some of the deadlines are early, and professors are very busy, so it is good to give them time to write. Also, it is important to remind the professors in case they might have forgotten--again, they're busy.
In terms of my experience at the discrete math/probability REU (at Eastern Tennessee State University, formerly at Michigan Tech, run by Anant Godbole), I think I learned quite a bit. My advisor, Anant, chose people of a variety of backgrounds and experiences--people who have already done math research and taken graduate courses to people (like me), who have had very little experience in mathematics. I did have some research experience having participated in a physics REU the previous summer. He let us choose our project from a list of about 14 that he decided on. They ranged in subject material and the level of experience in mathematics needed to do the project. I choose one of the "remedial" ones in probability since I had never taken a course in discrete math, graph theory, or probability. I worked with another student with a similar level of experience as my own and also endeavored to read "a first course in probability" by sheldon ross. The project was challenging and fun. My advisor was also very good. It was difficult, however, to jump into an REU program and do research without any preparatory instruction in the subject. Other REU programs actually set aside a 1-2 week period expressly for the purpose of acquainting the student with the material. I think that this would be very helpful.
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