Freedom...for now/Application Process (Part 3)

So, as of 20 minutes ago, I am finished with my semester. It came out well, I guess, but I'll have to wait until I see the final grades to say for sure. It was a good semester. I think that following my friend Marc's example and unplugging to keep focused on school was probably the best decision I could have made. I found myself bordering on insanity while studying for finals and completing assignments, but now that I'm finished with the semester I can relax and take pride in the hard work I did.
So, on to this application process update.
I got all 8 of my application completed early, despite some extreme procrastination on the part of one of my professors in getting my recommendation finished. That, in and of itself, was quite irritating. I had taken care of everything on my end, applications, transcripts, essays, and my other 2 professors had completed their recommendations over a month ago. Now, keep in mind that I had approached my professors asking them for recommendations in September, at which time I provided them with a resume/CV/bio and any other information they wanted, gave them a reminder in October (at which point one had already completed his), and, each time I saw this particular professor, asked him if there was anything extra he needed to complete the recommendation (to which he replied on each occasion "No, I don't think so. I'm not finished yet.") But, he finished on time, so no harm done. Now I am OFFICIALLY finished with the applications and will be waiting(im)patiently for decisions beginning in February.
So, now I have some time to unwind, contemplate the future, and maybe pick up a hobby...oh yeah, and go back to the gym.

The Black Theorem

Today, my Topology professor told us abou the "Black Theorem" of logic. Basically, all mathemaricians who are successful logicians end up going insane. The theory is, there is a Black Theorem of logic which, once discovered, sends the discoverer into madness. I'm on a quest to discover that theorem, and retain my sanity.
On that note, I'm following the example of my good friend Marc Robinson, and withdrawing from blogging, Twitter, and all other distractions until December. Stay positive.

Application Process (Part 2)

So, some time has passed, and some progress has been made in my application process. Through hours of thought, revision, and a few changes in direction, I've completed my essays. My advice regarding admissions essays to anyone going through the application process, go through a few drafts on your own, then a classmate or two read it, then let a professor in your department read it, then, finally, take it to the writing center for a final review. The logic behind this is, once you go through your revisions, you should have a piece of writing you're comfortable with. Having a classmate read it will allow for feedback from a peer. A professor in your department should, have a good idea of what the people who will be reviewing your essay are looking for. The last stage of going to the writing center is just to go over technical things. Just some advice I thought I'd pass on...
Anyway, I'd say I'm about 85% completed with the entire process. Let me say, this process has become rather expensive. Between GRE scores ($20 per school) my ASU transcripts ($15 per school) and application fees, the costs add up, QUICK! I'm now on the fence about whether or not I should submit one last application. I'm essentially finished with it, it's only a matter of paying the fees at this point and I'm not sure whether or not I want to pay another $105 (transcript, GRE and application fee). So, we'll see how that goes. Stay tuned for the completion of my application process...

Tenrary System

As a part of my analytical nature, I'm always considering ways to revise systems of how to quantify things. I believe I've stumbled on a revolutionary idea. Everyone has heard of the standard system for rating how attractive someone (scale of 1-10). I think 10 possible ratings leaves far too much grey area (i.e. what separates a 6 from a 7?). It's hard for uniformity among men as far as what a female would be rated. Than people start throwing in half-scores, 6.5, etc. and everything becomes far more complicated than it needs to be. There have been simplified rating systems, while I have advocated. First, the Tucker Max scale (based on ratings of 1-5). I think fewer ratings helps bring bring about more uniformity, but still there's too much room for disagreement, in my opinion. Next, while eating dinner with some of my high school classmates last Thanksgiving break, I was presented with the binary system. It was brought to my attention by Joe Thaman, a graduate of Notre Dame, so obviously an intelligent individual. It was told to him by a guy named Jim from Wisconsin, I'm not really sure of Jim's background. Anyway, the binary system entails a rating of 0 for a thumbs up, 1 for a thumbs down. With only 2 possible choices, there's a good chance for almost unanimity of ratings, but I think 2 choices oversimplifies things. Also, it was indicated that, circumstantially, a 0 can become a 1. With that reasoning, everybody is a 1.
So, with all the systems out there, I've seen positives and negatives in all of them and I have come up with the ideal system: the Ternary System. The Ternary system has 3 possible ratings: 0 is thumbs down, 1 is a maybe, 2 is a thumbs up. It's a system which is aimed at getting to the point: after all the back and forth it's either yes, no, or maybe. There's less room for argument than in the 1-10 scale or Tucker Max's system, but the binary system's issue of in-betweens has been addressed as well. Like people applying to a school, the entire application is reviewed, and you can get admitted, denied, or wait listed. Just like passing notes back in elementary school "Do you like me, Yes, No, Maybe: Check one." It's the obvious ideal system, it just needed to be formalized and articulated. I'll be looking for my invitation from the Nobel committee...

Application Process (Part 1)

So, for the third time in the last 6 years, I am in the midst of the university application process, for a doctorate this time. Thankfully, I've learned from past processes, and this time things are going fairly smoothly. It's funny, now, to think back over the last 2 application processes I went through.
Applying to college out of high school, I had PLENTY of advisement along the way. We had to start writing our admissions essay during our junior year, take the PSAT and all that. So, we had plenty of people making sure we were taking care of our business. Since the teachers were so involved in the application process, letters of recommendation were taken care of. I remember my statement of purpose was uncharacteristically well-written and revealing. The funny thing is, my teacher said that I shouldn't use it, because I was "overly critical" and didn't sell myself. At 16, I really did not have the desire to write another essay, so I just used that one. Coincidentally, I have not seen that essay since I sent it out for my applications. I wish I could find it and read what I'd written.
Applying for my masters out of ASU was a very different experience. I was on my own, concerned with a million other things, so applications were not at the top of my list of priorities, and nobody was there constantly reminding me of what needed to be done. I'd taken the GRE early enough, so I had that out of the way. I did online applications whenever it crossed my mind and I had some down time. I was able to get some recommendations from teachers who remembered me out of the large classes I had (probably the only time I benefited from being the only black student in class). My statement of purpose was the complete opposite of the essay used out of high school. I stated my case, made sure not to leave out any awards, honors, leadership, etc...but it was terribly written. I think I wrote it at about 8am, went to class, came back around noon and re-read it, went to my next class, re-read it, and was done with it. I found it about a week ago and read it over. All I could do was laugh. But, I guess it served its purpose.
And here I am again, for the last time. I have the GRE out of the way from 2 years ago, so I didn't have to worry about that, just find the score report. I requested my recommendations early, which wasn't a problem since my average class size at SLU is 8 people. Online applications are knocked out, now I'm back at the statement of purpose. I'm shooting for a happy medium between the previous two I've written: one that highlights my accomplishments, but is still a good read and tells my story. I'm in the revision stage currently, but I think I've got the essay about where it needs to be. Fortunately at this point, I'm about 2 months ahead of where I was during my application process 2 years ago(if you're doing the math, 2 months from now would be December, which is when most applications are due).
I'll keep you updated on how things play out...

SEC Referee Crew Suspended

This story broke a couple days ago, but the officiating crew that worked the Arkansas-Florida football game last Saturday were suspended until November 14th for some blown calls that they made, which weighed heavily in the outcome. The crew had also made a questionable call the previous week during the Georgia-LSU game. According to the ESPN report, "A series of calls that have occurred during the last several weeks have not been to the standard that we expect from our officiating crews," SEC commissioner Mike Slive said Wednesday. "I believe our officiating program is the best in the country. However, there are times when these actions must be taken." I watched the Arkansas-Florida game and I definitely agree that the calls were bogus. On top of that, Urban Meyer, Florida's head football coach (who benefited from the questionable calls) came out saying he thinks the suspensions were just. Now, I always try to remain mindful that any number of factors could have changed the game to the point where the referee's calls would not have mattered (i.e. the two field goals the Arkansas kicker missed), but, in any job, there must be penalties for mistakes made. I agree with this move, and I think other conferences should follow suit.

A Social Endeavor...

My topology professor (who received his bachelor degree in 1957, so I'm certain is in his mid 70's) told my class that we should talk with each other more, because "Mathematics is a social endeavor." He then proceeded to tell us stories about how, when he was a grad student at Northwestern, all of the math students lived in a house together and were always spending time together. You can imagine my immediate reaction. Anyway, while I understand that after a certain point, mathematicians work together to develop new ideas, create new theorems and things like that, I'm not there right now. So, rather than socializing with my fellow students, I've decided to embark on a different social endeavor, one in which I can share my thoughts on anything I choose, on my own terms. This should be interesting...