Visiting Grad Schools – Megumi Asada ’17

Posted on by

Megumi Asada ’17, a former AWM officer, wrote the following post while visiting graduate schools in spring of 2017. They are currently teaching high school math through a teaching nonprofit called Blue Engine. The following year, they will be studying math at Cambridge on a Herchel Smith Fellowship. Feel free to contact them with questions!

While traveling for a grad school visit it dawned on me that most of what I’ve learned about the application/admission process for math PhD programs has been by word of mouth. It’s a stressful process with many components. Another senior from Williams mentioned how it’s a shame that those of us struggling through this mostly kept to ourselves when we could’ve suffered together.

I hope this can serve as a first (baby) step in demystifying this process for anyone who’s considering math grad school and for those who are just curious.

Sitting at the airport the day before the visiting students day was really bizarre. My imposter syndrome was on overdrive to the point where it was kind of funny. It felt as though my name would one day rise in the ranks of infamy among the other renowned large-scale con artists. There’s an art, I guess, to being a sleepy, unprepared twenty-something on your way to visit a school where you may one day get a PhD.

I was pretty nervous about my meetings with faculty. It had taken me long enough to be convinced that I could go to my Williams professors for advice. Something about being in a new space with people who work with PhD students made me feel especially unworthy of these peoples’ time. Thankfully, none of them had expected me to understand their research beforehand. Despite my efforts, reading lists of cryptic publication titles more frightened than excited me.

For most of the day I wasn’t in the best mood, as I wasn’t feeling particularly drawn to any specific research topic from my first few faculty meetings.  When asked, I called myself a geometry/topology person, but this started to feel like an elaborate lie, as there’s definitely some geometry and topology out there that I don’t care for.

I got lucky with my third faculty meeting where I was introduced to a really cool problem in random matrix theory. This was weird for me because typically the word “matrix” elicits a deep visceral cringe. It was a kind reminder of what it feels like when something new just clicks and captivates you.

Afterwards I had a really nice conversation with another student from another small liberal arts college about feeling intimidated by students from large universities with accredited graduate programs. Some exchanged inside jokes amongst themselves about famous mathematicians they’ve met. For me, it served as a reminder that I’m but a potential guest in this elite, old boys club. Still, it was really nice to hear from other people who felt like they didn’t belong among the scary people.

I wish I could say that the visiting day I went to was the best thing ever, that the gods bestowed upon me all the rays of light and confidence I could wish for, but that wasn’t how things went. It was mostly stressful and overwhelming, but there were good bits and moments when friends and complete strangers took the time to affirm me and my concerns.

For now, I’ll have to remain undecided on how I’ll be spending the next few years. Wishing the best of luck to other seniors scrambling to figure out their post-graduate plans.

37 thoughts on “Visiting Grad Schools – Megumi Asada ’17”

  6. In World of Warcraft, gold is the lifeblood of adventurers, facilitating everything from gear upgrades to mount purchases. Accumulating wealth takes time and effort, but with Gamingcy’s WoW Gold services at https://gamingcy.net/en-us/product/wow-gold, you can bolster your coffers swiftly and securely. Whether you’re a novice looking to establish yourself or a seasoned veteran seeking that extra edge, Gamingcy provides a reliable solution to fuel your adventures in Azeroth.

  7. Hi everyone, you have been looking for a quality and beautiful picture for a long time and want to spend your evening unusually? Then you are here https://pornpax.com/categories/brunette/. On this site you can delve into the world of your fantasies, as there are so many categories for every taste. There are both short videos and full films. Unusual plot, good picture and full freedom of action. No matter if you are a fan of a more romantic plot or more extreme, here you will find everything and more. Also you can plunge into this world of erotica with your other half. I’m sure you will be very satisfied.

  8. WoW Mythic Plus dungeons are a fantastic way to test your abilities and foster team coordination. These adventures increase in difficulty, offering a lively and captivating experience for both seasoned adventurers and newcomers alike.
    For those feeling hesitant about tackling these challenges head-on, a Mythic Plus carry service can be an excellent resource. It allows you to learn the details of advanced gameplay in a supportive environment. This is an outstanding chance to improve your skills and enjoy the vast content that WoW has to offer.

  11. When exploring grad schools, a research summary writing service proves invaluable. It assists in crafting concise, impactful summaries of academic research, a crucial component for applications. These summaries highlight expertise and scholarly achievements, elevating the applicant’s profile. Leveraging such a service streamlines the daunting task of presenting one’s academic prowess, ensuring a polished and impressive application for prospective graduate programs.

  17. Going to school and reminiscing about your childhood is like going back to your childhood. I also remember my childhood, I keep visiting my childhood school, now I want to tell you about fashion in this winter season, these Squid Game S02 VIP Black Blazer Coat are the best.

  19. Quick Draw is an online game developed by Google where players are asked to draw an image based on a given word. This game uses artificial intelligence to identify and predict the correct image that the player draws.

  20. Despite the fact that I am not knowledgeable enough to assist you with this issue. However, I sincerely hope someone can help you out here!

  21. Your experience and feelings resonate with so many of us who have been through the grad school application and visiting process. That imposter syndrome is so real, but always remember that you were chosen for a reason and you have every right to be there. As for post-graduate plans, sometimes it’s helpful to take a break and maybe explore other passions. While you’re figuring things out, if you ever feel like taking a breather and diving into some gaming, I recently stumbled upon this Amirdrassil raid carry service, and it’s been a great way for me to destress. Wishing you all the best in whatever path you choose!

  23. I find Skycoach impressive. It’s a valuable platform for gamers due to its professional coaching services. Whether you’re a novice or experienced player, Skycoach offers personalized guidance to enhance your gaming skills. With a wide range of supported games, affordable rates, and secure transactions, it’s a go-to resource for any gamer looking to level up their gameplay.
    read more

  24. I find https://skycoach.gg/ impressive. It’s a valuable platform for gamers due to its professional coaching services. Whether you’re a novice or experienced player, this site offers personalized guidance to enhance your gaming skills. With a wide range of supported games, affordable rates, and secure transactions, it’s a go-to resource for any gamer looking to level up their gameplay.

  25. You need to create words that are at least three letters long.
    You can make words horizontally, vertically, diagonally, or a combination of all three.
    Once you spot a hidden word, click and drag the letters that form it to clear those tiles. word wipe
    The longer the word, the more points you’ll rack up.

  26. One of the standout aspects of the article is its emphasis on preparation. Asada’s recommendations, such as researching the schools in advance and making a list of questions, are incredibly helpful. These strategies not only streamline the visitation process but also ensure that you gather the essential information needed to make an informed decision about your future.
    Furthermore, the article underscores the importance of networking during these visits. Building connections with faculty and current students can provide valuable insights and even lead to potential opportunities. It’s a reminder that graduate school isn’t just about the academic program but also about the community you become a part of.
    Asada’s personal anecdotes and reflections add depth to the article. It’s evident that she went through a thoughtful and diligent process when visiting graduate schools, and her experiences serve as a practical guide for others embarking on a similar journey.
    If you’re someone who is considering graduate school or looking to understand the significance of your credit score, https://fitmymoney.com/680-credit-score-what-you-need-to-know/ offers valuable resources and insights into financial matters. Understanding your credit score and how it impacts your financial options is an essential part of planning for your future, especially as a graduate student.

  27. Your realization is spot on. Just as the application process for math PhD programs can be daunting, crafting a strong resume is essential. Sharing experiences and insights on resume building, like those available at https://resumeperk.com, could significantly enhance our collective knowledge. It’s an excellent idea to create a platform for us to support each other not only through the admission process but also in presenting ourselves effectively, both in person and on paper. Together, we can alleviate some of the stress and make this journey more manageable.

  28. Friday Night Funkin is a rhythm game where you control the main character BF, who wants to win the heart of his girlfriend GF through competing against other characters. The game consists of multiple rounds of increasing difficulty, you have to hit the right beat to overcome challenging opponents. The game has beautiful music and graphics, and quickly attracts the attention of a large number of players.

  29. “The Ultimate eLearning Translation and Localization Guide” for helpful insights and demystification

  32. Attending conferences allows you to exchange knowledge and make new interesting acquaintances. But until recently, it was psychologically difficult for me to attend such events, not to mention being a speaker. Internal anxiety and excitement prevented me from feeling like a full-fledged member of society. I needed help to understand how to not be socially awkward. Specialists helped to find out the reasons and develop a number of methods to get rid of clumsiness and not to be nervous in the presence of a large number of people.

  33. Hello everyone, Mahalo for taking the time to read my comment. just wanted to express my gratitude for being a part of this online community. I find it helpful to connect with others and learn from their experiences. Mahalo especially to those who have shared valuable insights and advice. It is through our collective knowledge that we can grow and improve. I hope to continue learning and contributing to this forum in the future. Take care and mahalo again!

  34. Convenience when choosing help is important to me, and this also applies to a clear interface of the resource and a qualified support service. Of course, quality is also important, especially for writing a letter of recommendation, which is why I chose this service lorservice.com Specialists have experience in this field and understand the needs of customers.

  35. In general, the process of creating a high-quality presentation that combines various aspects of it and professional, timely messages and relevant photos and videos. Therefore, for convenience, I use stock photos, wellness images from a professional resource. Thanks to this, the presentation always turns the attention of the listeners and it helps to convey the main point.

  36. Indeed, collecting and processing information takes a lot of time and effort. But turning this material into a stunning presentation of a strategic plan requires an understanding of certain nuances and methods. That’s why I use help https://slidepeak.com/blog/stunning-strategy-plan-presentation it provides insight into how to summarize the key messages that are then displayed on one slide: the big idea, the value proposition, and the pitch.

  37. It is useful and interesting to be in a circle of like-minded people, it allows you to exchange experiences and gain new assets. But in order to have enough time to develop more important skills, I use the dissertation proposal writing service. Specialists provide qualified assistance to ensure that the article is written efficiently and on time.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.