Accepted! Now to choose schools for Mathematics

Student Lounge International Students
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<p>After applying to some schools and getting rejected by a few, I got accepted by a few univs. =)</p>

<p>U.S.
University of Chicago (Maths, but I can choose almost anything)
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor (Maths, likewise)</p>

<p>Canada
University of Waterloo (Any Maths, co-op scheme)
University of Toronto (Actuarial Sci)</p>

<p>Singapore
NUS (Maths)</p>

<p>I am planning to major in mathematics, possibly with an economics or computing focus (depending on which school).</p>

<p>I've heard that Uchicago academics is insane (people putting in 70+ hours of work a week) and extremely well respected, possibly on par with ivies. However it has a liberal arts slant and it costs $$$. Oh and supposely (don't know how true) its elitist.</p>

<p>UW is known to have the best mathematics and comp sci. programme in Canada, and since I got into UW co-op, I'll rack up 16-24 months of work experience by the time I graduate. However the city of waterloo has been described as a 'small hick town' by several forums =P. And when i tell a few of my school mates that I am applying for UW, they give me a blank stare and you can almost see the thought bubble above their head deciding whether or not to ask how I did for A-levels and was then forced to apply for a school they haven't heard of.</p>

<p>Utoronto is academically very well respected and is more recognised locally than UW. Its right in Toronto, so the area's pretty vibrant. The school atmosphere and student life has been described as lacking. And the class sizes are HUGE (difficult to get into some classes and not very conducive for learning)</p>

<p>The most impt factor, of course, is to have a challenging and intellectual environment = great acads. Other impt factors (in order of pref)
2. Job prospects (overseas) or prospects for going grad sch
3. Student Body and Student Life
4. Value for Money
5. Campus and City
6. Job prospects (local)</p>

<p>Haha sorry for this very long and elaborate post but I've been thinking about this non-stop for almost a month and decisions are due soon.</p>

<p>Oh and BTW, ORD Loh!</p>

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<p>u said "maths" r u applying from somewhere in asia (india ....) anyway, UW is great, and u don't have to work in waterloo (at least i dont think so, cause i know a guy working in toronto during summer and all ...)</p>

<p>hmmmmm ...id say go to university of chicago, but UW is also good, but then again, jobs r in the US</p>

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<p>Singaporean? </p>

<p>The most impt factor, of course, is to have a challenging and intellectual environment = great acads. </p>

<p>Depends on what you mean by great acads. If you are looking at acads in only your own major, then obviously UW is the best. Like, UW is basically a university for mathematicians?? lols... i mean, they offer a Bachelor's in MATH... how geekish is dat. :p NUS is not too bad either, at least in terms of course offerings. I actually believe the academic competition to be stronger in NUS than in Michigan or Toronto. At least for Math majors... well I mean Math majors tend to be the freakish foreigners from China and India... Chicago is clearly the best if you are looking at overall academics though. </p>

<p>2a. Job prospects (overseas) or </p>

<p>Overseas means? UW and Toronto are perfectly fine for Canada of course, but I suppose you are looking at US. If that's the case, I think both Chicago and Michigan offers great job prospects since they are both very highly regarded (despite Michigan's deflated ranking on USNEWS - thanks to the public uni bias - I think Michigan does have a very strong reputation). My guess is that Toronto has a higher reputation than Waterloo in US (or anywhere else for that matter) for the general public - I mean it obviously sounds more impressive to tell ppl u were from Toronto than to tell them you are from waterloo - but if you only care about 'those ppl who matter', i believe they noe about waterloo's intensity and math so waterloo might not be an inferior choice after all. NUS is obviously the worst choice here. </p>

<p>b. prospects for going grad sch</p>

<p>CHICAGO >>> Michigan > Toronto > Waterloo > NUS</p>

<ol>
<li>Student Body and Student Life</li>
</ol>

<p>I can't really comment much on this... but at least no matter where you go you'll get a fair share of Singaporeans or Asians - if that's important to you. It is said that social life is abit nonexistant at Chicago though. </p>

<ol>
<li>Value for Money</li>
</ol>

<p>Hmm... Waterloo Co-Op > Toronto > NUS > Chicago > Michigan</p>

<ol>
<li>Campus and City</li>
</ol>

<p>Not much difference in terms of campus size - they are all big research universities... City-wise I personally favor Toronto. Chicago sounds a tad too dangerous. Not sure about the rest. </p>

<ol>
<li>Job prospects (local)</li>
</ol>

<p>If local means Singapore, I think all are okay. Michigan and Chicago are highly recognized here of course. But I am not sure if people have heard of Waterloo. So far I only know of another friend who mentioned about Waterloo (and he's into Math as well of course) but most people just give that blank look when they hear the name. Then again, they are probably not "the people who matter". But i am not sure if "the people who matter" in singapore are very much enlightened about UW. </p>

<p>1/2 year to ORD. :(</p>

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<p>If you're serious about math, then you can't go wrong with UW or Chicago. Really depends on how much you're willing to spend on undergrad. UW is most highly regarded in Canada (more so than UChicago or Michigan), so if you plan on working in Canada, definitely I'd choose UW. But if you plan on working in the US, then I'd choose UChicago or Michigan (both fantastic schools...so choose the one that's cheaper).</p>

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<p>Firstly, congrats on your acceptance fellow ORD-er. I'll choose U Chicago in a second. The Singaporean way. Prestige over every thing else. </p>

<ol>
<li><p>Great Acad
U Chicago > U Mich > U Toronto > U Waterloo >>> Nus</p></li>
<li><p>Jobs Prospects (overseas)
U Chicago= U Mich >> U Toronto > U Waterloo >>> Nus</p></li>
<li><p>Student Body & Life
U Mich>>> all the rest. </p></li>
<li><p>Value for money
U W>U T>Nus>U Chicago> Mich</p></li>
<li><p>Campus City
U Toronto>> the rest. </p></li>
</ol>

<p>I've been to Tonronto. The campus almost blends in to th city. Think Smu. You'll see lots of commuters. Busy busy city. Ann arbor is nice if you like sub-urban. The campus is beautiful as well. I went there for my sister's graduation and ever since I wanted to go there. Too bad....on waitlist=reject. </p>

<ol>
<li>Jobs Prospects Local
U Chicago=U Mich > U Toronto > U Waterloo >> Nus</li>
</ol>

<p>I believe U Chicago & Michigan tops the list. My sister got a summer internship at Citigroup as an analyst. I believe jobs prospects won't be too shabby. </p>

<p>Clearly, Nus is the worst from your list. I say choose U Chicago, U Mich or Toronto.</p>

<p>P.s: What college did you get in for U of Toronto anyways. I got New College.</p>

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<p>Haha yeah I'm Singaporean.</p>

<p>Yeah I got New College too. Actually I placed it as my first choice and I can't remember why.</p>

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<p>I am a huge fan of UChic so I'm not commenting on this one and any other UChic-related questions...</p>

<p>But for math, I think Michy is better than UChic.</p>

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<p>Sorry to sound dumb but... what's ORD?</p>

<p>haha... completely agree with what naff said:</p>

<p>"I'll choose U Chicago in a second. The Singaporean way. Prestige over every thing else."</p>

<p>I was always under the impression that Chicago had unbeatable academics (especially in mathematics and economics) and was more of an intense, boot-camp-for-the-mind place than comparable schools such as HYP. In the job market and the world of academia, Chicago's name is one of the very best. Having said that, the one main caveat I've heard from others on CC is that Chicago's intense focus on academics can leave much to be desired on the social side of things. Perhaps BLY can enlighten us? </p>

<p>But whatever, this is just stuff I've gathered from prospectuses, CC, and hearsay.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Chicago's intense focus on academics can leave much to be desired on the social side of things.

[/quote]

The typical day in UChic like this: you are waken up by your alarm clock at 6:30 in the morning. After a several snoozer abuses, you go to your class without washing your teeth cause you don't have time. Then you fall asleep in your math lecture and got assigned 5 more books to read for this week in the Hum Core, a paper which is due 10 days from today in Chem. At lunch your parents make the daily call and the first words coming out from your mouth is "Moshi Moshi?" cause you have a Japanese test tomorrow. You had dinner with your girlfriend and she keeps asking you why there are occational fears of inflation. You go back to your dorm and hit on the books while your roomate is out in library. Then at 2am you pass out leaving the books on your bed and body, wearing a T-shirt with caption "The level of hell that Dante forgot" below the UChic seal.</p>

<p>Scared? Actually, not so. I am just frigging around. HAHA. XD</p>

<p>In fact, I have been keeping in touch with a UChic student. What I heard is that: in terms of homework assignments, the quantity is not a problem at all, esp. for Asian students (sorry for the stereotype right here) Basically, as long as you don't procrastinate, you would have plenty of time to finish them and have fun with others.
HOWEVER, the real problem is to please the prof who grades you. They just don't give an A casually, even if you are his son/daughter. </p>

<p>In UChic, the ORIGINAL THOUGHT is the most important thing. Also, creativity is highly encouraged. I think you already know these things while writing the essay. If your paper is just a amalgamation of things from other sources, you won't be long. Memorizing doesn't work in UChic either.</p>

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<p>Cong85: Me too! I just put New College. I didn't even research. lol. Are you going to U of Toronto any chance? I'm going to Mcgill.</p>

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<p>Sorry for the late reply... Tied up doing some National Service stuff =P.</p>

<p>Hey BLY thanks a lot man... Was kinda worried about the workload... Hope I can cope.</p>

<p>naff: probably not i guess... I'm leaning towards UW or Uchicago... I heard that UW students actually have a good chance of getting into a gd university for graduate studies because their programs are well-recognised in North America. And Uchicago is too big a name and too challenging/intellectually stimulating? to forgo.</p>

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<p>Unless money is a huge factor, I would go for Michigan or Chicago. Chgicagi is ranked #5 and Michigan #7 in the US in Math. If quality of life is very important to you, then Michigan should probably be your first choice.</p>