<p>I am currently a sophomore considering the possibility of switching my major to mathematics. I am currently in a social science major, and consequently haven't taken a single math class here (save for statistics). I filled out a program plan, and it seems that if decide to go this route, I can start the major in the fall and finish in the summer of my senior year if I take two courses every summer, and three courses per quarter during the academic year. That way, I can avoid taking four upper-division classes at once.</p>
<p>But from what I've read about getting into math graduate school here, it seems that I'd have to take a certain number of graduate-level classes and participate in research in addition, to have a decent shot at acceptance. Would all of this be feasible, given my limited time? Have you or do you know someone who has done this before?</p>
<p>Yes, I know it is foolhardy to consider majoring in mathematics without ever having taken a single math class here. I have not made my decision yet; I ask this in the case that if I end up enjoying the math classes I take and decide to major in math, I would like to know if graduate school was still an option given the time I have left. </p>
<p>How worthless is your social science major now? I mean, if it can at least be applied to a certain field, I would just stick with that.</p>
<p>And FYI - just because you major in something doesn’t mean you are destined for some life or career along those lines. I mean, I know people who majored in history and became doctors and people who double majored in computer science and biology and ended up working as big-time sales reps for a major American market chain.</p>
<p>Binks09, I think your advice on majors is normally be spot on but I feel like in this case specifically a mathematics background would be darn essential for getting into graduate school for mathematics. I don’t know how the OP would learn all the higher level mathematics needed for the graduate level under social science.</p>
<p>To answer the OP, why not sit in some math classes this quarter and see how you like it? (Try a mix besides the 31A-31B…I’m sure some professors may even let you sit in upper divs if you email) This is obviously a big decision so I feel it would be wise to explore the option asap instead of waiting until Fall.</p>
<p>If you like what you see, taking three classes a quarter should give you time to devote to research. And if worse comes to worse, you could take an extra quarter or two/take a 4 class quarter. Its definitely worth the extra time IMO if imathematics is what you enjoy.</p>
<p>I think there is a decent number of math majors on UCLA’s CC so I hope they can give you more detailed help</p>
<p>The big problem that you would have is not having taken enough math by the time applications are due in fall of your senior year (only having take about 6 upper division courses). As a person that got into some pretty good Math PhD programs, I know firsthand that you don’t need to have graduate courses to get into the top programs, but you need to have a solid and wide undergraduate load, and you need a “hook” within mathematics, which could be a research publication, teaching experience, a really high Putnam Exam score or something similar.</p>
<p>Basically if you do well in your math classes (and the math subject GRE, nobody actually cares about the general GRE), you will be able to get into a good math PhD program, though you may have to take a gap year.</p>