graduate school in theoretical computer science


Hello,

Due to a change in my plans, I'm considering going to graduate school
in mathematics. I was wondering if any of you could give me any
advice on where to apply.

My interests in mathematics are basically completely contained in the
realm of theoretical computer science. I've done a little bit of
original research...I found a polytime Turing reduction of the
discrete logarithm problem to a decision problem, and I found an
alternate heuristic proof of Godel's Second Incompleteness Theorem.
I'm also very interested in the P vs. NP question, and other topics in
complexity theory and general theoretical computer science.

I'm very motivated to do research, but for a variety of reasons, both
my overall undergraduate and major (mathematics) GPA are about 2.4 .
I consider myself to be very intelligent, but my GPA is a major
obstacle. My math adviser thinks I am intelligent and talented at
mathematics also, and is encouraging me to apply to graduate school;
he has written a mostly very positive recommendation letter for me
(although he mentions my GPA and a few other negative things, though
not in a particularly damming way).

I know that MIT and Toronto are very good schools, but I don't think I
have a chance of getting into them. (Also, I want to apply in the
mathematics dept., and I think Toronto does theoretical CS in their CS
dept.) I looked a little at Georgia Institute of Tech and it looked
really good also...but again I don't know if I can get in.

I'm taking the GREs in November, but I don't know very much applied
math (our school focuses on pure math; we focus on things like real
analysis, abstract algebra, and topology; we barely have any numerical
analysis or stats classes worth taking.)

So does anyone know of any reasonably good schools that I might have a
shot of getting into? I'd appreciate any help anyone could give me.
Again, to recap: low GPA, high motivation to research, reasonably
high intelligence, uncertain GREs, interest in theoretical computer
science (and, to a lesser degree, in logic, number theory, and
algebra--no interest in topology or real analysis.)

Thanks!

-Phil
.

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