Hello, everyone. I have a question about my situation. I am a senior a UCLA, and my major is mathematics of computation. My GPA is 3.0. The reason for low GPA is because I spend much of my time pursuing my own study. I love to learn, but i tend to not like to be feed what I need to know. Plus, I realized what I wanted to be only at this quarter! I WANT TO BE A PHILOSOPHER THAT SPECIALIZES in the philosophy of mathematics and physics. Here is the thing: I want to apply for graduate school in philosophy of science, but it depresses me how I am going to do it. I want to go to the best school in the philosophy of science. I don't have enough philosophy courses to get a minor, and this is my last quarter at UCLA. So here is my solution: 1. Get top grades in the GRE general, and GRE math. 2. Get into a not so good master degree program, and rise my GPA. 3. Get some good rapport in my master degree program. (I.e.: letter of recommendation.) From 1, 2 and 3, I want to get into the best Graduate degree in...

Your plan sounds reasonable. I would suggest a few things. First, try to get your GPA as high as possible in your remaining semesters (don't let it slip below 3.0), perhaps doing a little less of your own study this year and focusing on your classes. Yes, try to get high GRE scores. But to get into MA programs you will also need a good writing sample and letters of recommendation from philosophers at UCLA (talk to them about all this). Your writing sample needs to be sharp (and less grammatically challenged than your question here) and include some philosophical argumentation (but keep it tightly focused--don't offer a new theory of something). Finally, if you can do all this, I'd suggest your goal #2 should be to get into as good an MA program as possible!

Well, I am a math major. I am about to graduate, and I wish to attend graduate school in philosophy. I took one class in the philosophy of science. I know it is not enough, but I really have a deep passion for philosophy. I read alot on metaphysics, philosophy of mathematics and science by myself. It is to the point that I can understand much of the material in professional philosophical papers. I have a deep interest on the issue of ontological commitment to abstract objects, and the nature of the laws of nature. I really want to be a philosopher. What can I do?

I suggest: 1. you talk to the philosophy professors at your school and ask them lots of questions. Hopefully, there is someone that who has a good sense of what it takes to get into grad school in philosophy, to succeed, and to get a job. 2. you explore websites at some PhD and MA programs. There is also some useful information at http://www.philosophicalgourmet.com/ 3. if you remain interested (as I hope you do!), you consider putting off graduation one semester and taking more philosophy courses. I fear that only one course in philosophy will take you off the radar at many programs (I suspect it would take a lot--e.g., very high GRE and GPA--to get some PhD programs to consider you, when they have so many applicants that are philosophy majors or even have MAs in philosophy). 4. you consider applying to MA programs in philosophy to strengthen your background (though it will still help to have more courses in philosophy to get in to MA programs). 5. you will need a polished...

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