Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

December 13, 2023

Abigail Arnold | Graduate School of Arts and Sciences

 

Rachmiel (Rocky) Klein had been planning on a PhD in Mathematics since late high school. Applying to programs right out of undergrad, he said, was “a very humbling experience;” while he was not accepted into any PhD programs on his first attempt, he was accepted into Brandeis’s MA program in Math. Interested in Brandeis because of its strong topology program, its proximity to both nature and Boston, and his desire to move to the East Coast, Rocky decided to enter the MA program and work to enhance his resume before applying to PhD programs again. His time in the MA gave him more familiarity with the department and its warm culture, and he was excited to get into the PhD program on his second try. “I was excited to stop playing the game of applying and to finally start thinking about new mathematics,” Rocky said.

Now a year and a half into the PhD program, Rocky said, “My experience overall has been fantastic.” He particularly likes the department’s emphasis on teaching calculus to undergrads and on oral exams instead of qualification exams for PhD students; he finds the latter option less stressful and also a good way to practice conveying one’s research. Rocky also praised the department’s “culture of friendliness,” saying, “It’s a small department, so we really feel like family.” The Math graduate students come together for social activities like taco time, and people are interested in forming close relationships. Rocky spoke of strong relationships with fellow students and faculty members alike.

He had special words of praise for his advisor, Professor Carolyn Abbott. Rocky described her as “fantastic” and “really, really friendly.” He noted that he feels he can communicate honestly with her and that she never makes him feel unintelligent when he does not understand something; at the same time, she delivers constructive criticism well. Professor Abbott also supports her graduate students in attending conferences and even put Rocky in touch with a scholar she knew abroad when he was traveling over the summer. She also organizes a weekly seminar with an outside speaker; before the seminar, she and graduate students take the speaker to the faculty club, providing a social and community-building opportunity. “I feel like I lucked out with her since she was my top choice for advisor at Brandeis, both because of her research and because of her mentoring skills,” Rocky said.

Rocky also had the chance to get involved in campus life, an endeavor which he recommends to graduate students and calls an underrated path. When he first started at Brandeis, he became involved with Jewish life and with an a cappella group, experiences which allowed him to make more friends on campus. “It’s different as a graduate student than as an undergrad, but there is room for getting involved, especially if you have a hobby or want to connect to members of your culture,” Rocky said.

In his advice for prospective students, Rocky emphasized the importance of community and relationships at a small university. “In applications, give a sense of yourself as a person. Everyone applying is really good at mathematics, and they want to see what you will be like to work with too,” he said. To those coming to Brandeis, he also recommended getting to know the department and taking advantage of the additional offerings in the Boston area. With the strong academic offerings and the department’s culture, Rocky sees the Brandeis Math Department as a great place to be.