Graduate Admissions Frequently Asked Questions
ANSWERS to Frequently Asked Questions
How many students are admitted each year?
Usually around 15, though incoming classes have ranged from about 15 to more than 20.What are the types of financial support available?
Many of our graduate students receive full financial support (tuition waiver + stipend), most as a graduate teaching assistantship, some as an Alumni Fellow, and a limited number of others through various scholarships.What are the minimum requirements for admission?
The minimum requirements for admission to the university are given in the Admissions section of the Graduate Catalog .How can I check if my application is complete?
Please be sure you have followed the Instructions.You may also wish to visit the admissions office graduate page.
Part of the application is sent to the Mathematics department. You may check that this part is complete by emailing math-gradapps@ufl.edu. The completeness of the other part (which goes to the admission office) is difficult for us to check since we do not have access to those files and the Admissions office very busy at certain times of the year. While we and the Admissions
office will try our best to make sure applications are complete, in the end it is up to the applicant to follow the procedure correctly.
What is the deadline for application?
The application deadline for Fall 2013 is February 1, 2013. Applications completed before the deadlione will receive full consideration for admission and financial support. Applications completed after the deadline will only be considered if time allows.
Generally it is best to have standardized tests (GRE and TOEFL, if necessary) taken by December since it may take ETS some time to send the official scores. Most of our applications are received in January. Overseas students should also take into account the time required to receive mailed documents, apply for a visa and make travel arrangements. In general, it is to your advantage to apply as soon as possible.
I am an international applicant. Where do I send transcripts and degree certificates?
International applicants must send official versions of all transcripts and degree certificates in both English and the original language directly to the office of admission. In addition, we ask that you please send (or email) copies - these need not be official and xerox hard copy or .pdf are fine - to the mathematics department.The official documents should be sent to:
UF Office of Admission
PO Box 114000
201 Criser Hall
Gainesville FL 32611-4000, USA
The documents intended for the Mathematics department should go to:
Graduate Admissions
Department of Mathematics
PO Box 118105
358 Little Hall
Gainesville FL 32611-8105, USA
or by email to math-gradapps@ufl.edu.
I am a domestic applicant. Where do I send transcripts?
Domestic applicants must send official copies of all transcripts directly to the office of admission. In addition, we ask that you please send copies - these need not be official and xerox hard copy or .pdf are fine - to the mathematics department.Send transcripts to:
-
UF Office of Admission
PO Box 114000
201 Criser Hall
Gainesville FL 32611-4000, USA
The documents intended for the Mathematics department should go to:
Graduate Admissions
Department of Mathematics
PO Box 118105
358 Little Hall
Gainesville FL 32611-8105, USA
or by email to math-gradapps@ufl.edu.
Should I take the GRE Subject Test in Mathematics?
Beginning with applications for Fall 2012 entry, we have required that applicants take the GRE subject test in addition to the required general test. This was a change in our admissions policy.Where do I send my GRE and TOEFL scores and what is the code for the University of Florida?
Have the scores sent to the office of admissions at the address in the previous question.The University of Florida's school code for submission of GRE and TOEFL scores is 5812
The application instructions state that I need to send certain documents to both the Mathematics Department and Admissions. Can I just send them to the math department and have you send a copy to Admissions?
No. Unfortunately, you do need to send some of the same materials to BOTH admissions and the mathematics department. Neither Admissions nor our department has the staff available to transfer documents.Do you accept the computer-based GRE/TOEFL tests?
Yes. International students are strongly encouraged to take the iBT since chances of receiving financial support are much greater with an iBT speaking score of 23 or better. If you take the TOEFL, please indicate it in the application forms.
Do you accept the IELTS or MELAB instead of TOEFL?
Yes. An IELTS score of 6.0 overall or a MELAB score of 77 are alternatives to a Toefl score of 550 or Toefl ibt score of 80 as general English language requirements for admission to UF.However, at this time, neither IELTS nor MELAB can be used in place of the Toefl ibt Speaking score of at least 23 or a SPEAK test score of at least 45 which is required to qualify as a Teaching Assistant. Therefore, students submitting IELTS scores would have to submit an additional Toefl ibt Speaking or SPEAK score to qualify for a Teaching Assistantship.
Where do I send the fee? What form of payment is acceptable?
This information is available at the admissions office page Application ChecklistPlease do not send the fee to the Mathematics Department.
Should I send in the Certificate of Financial Responsibility at the same time as my application? What figures should I use?
International applicants who are admitted will be contacted by the UF International Office with instructions concerning the Certificate of Financial Responsibility. You should not submit any forms related to the CFR when first applying.Can I apply for January admission?
A small number of students have been admitted in January (Spring term) in the past. The main difficulty with starting in January is that our core courses are two-semester sequences beginning in August, so joining half-way through is usually not feasible, except in some special cases, such as UF students who have taken the first semester as undergraduates. For this reason, we encourage most students to start in August. Also, all of our fellowships and nearly all of our teaching assistantships can only be awarded to students entering in the fall.When can I expect a decision on my application?
This information concerns applications for Fall admission. If you qualify for admission and are eligible for a teaching assistantship, you will hear from us (by email if you supplied an address) as soon as the committee has decided to admit you. We begin reviewing files in February, so the first notifications could be as early mid-February with more following in March and April. If we are waiting for the result of a test, there will naturally be a delay before we can decide on your application. If you are ineligible for a teaching assistantship, e.g you are an international student who does not have an iBT speaking score of 23 or better, then you may have to wait for the fellowships to be decided. There are very few fellowships and only when the top candidates decline can the next ones be offered, so we may not have news for some applicants until as late as April or May. If you feel the committee should have reached a decision but have not heard from us, please contact us, preferably by email to math-gradapps@ufl.edu.I am from a country where English is an official language. Am I required to submit a score from the speaking portion of the iBT (iBT speaking test) in order to be eligible for a teaching assistantship?
Even in situations where the University does not require a TOEFL score, all international students must demonstrate English speaking proficiency by scoring 45 or better on the University administered Speak Test or a score of 23 or better on the speaking portion of the iBT.In particular, international applicants who have spent one year at a US institution may be exempt from the TOEFL exam, but are still required to have a qualifying score on either the Speak Test or speaking iBT. If you are uncertain, you should contact the admissions committee, preferably by email.
I have not taken the iBT speaking test. Am I eligible for financial support?
Most of our graduate students are supported through teaching assistantships.Florida law and UF Graduate Council policy require international teaching assistants (ITAs) to demonstrate oral proficiency before being appointed to teach. A score of 55 on the University administered SPEAK Test (similar to the old TSE) or 28 or better on the speaking iBT permits unrestricted teaching. With a score of 45-50 on the SPEAK test or 23-27 on the speaking iBT, the ITA may teach if concurrently enrolled in EAP 5836.
See the office of academic spoken English's page on Oral Proficiency Testing At UF for more information.
Each year, there is a possibility that we will offer a very small number (3 in 2007) of full Alumni Fellowships, which are awarded to the strongest applicants regardless of English speaking proficiency. Not surprisingly, the competition for these is intense. If you do not have 23 or better on the iBT speaking test, the Alumni Fellow is your only chance of admission with support.
I have a very high score in TOEFL and/or TWE and top grades in all of my English classes. Moreover, I have asked several native English speakers to attest to my ability in English. Do I still need to take iBT?
These are certainly strong points in an application. However, for the purpose of obtaining a teaching assistantship, no combination of the above can be used as a substitute for evidence of English speaking proficiency in place of the impartial and standardized speaking iBT.
Is health care insurance available?
The university has recently instituted a health care insurance program for graduate students. For eligibility, coverage, and cost details visit
What is the minimum General GRE score is to enter the University of Florida Mathematics department?
The university no longer has a minimum requirement on the GRE. Most successful applicants to the mathematics department have scores (sum of verbal plus quantitative) far exceeding 1000 in the old scoring system (approximately 300 in the new style).