<p>I just enrolled in CMU's SCS and I'm wondering - how is the applied math program? I know the ratings and such but I want to hear it from an undergrad...</p>
<p>Bump but I’d like to hear this as well. How friendly would you say the students and teachers are (for the applied and general program)? Whats the variance like among math majors who get straight A’s? What would you say the split is, roughly, between students with extensive math background before college (through major mathematical competitions and accelerated learning) and math majors without the pedigree (ex. bc calc and mildly active in the math club)</p>
<p>Hey needsmorsleep!
First things first; there is really no seperate “applied” and “general” program. Sure, the classes you take are going to be likely a bit different (see the different tracks here: [Department</a> of Mathematical Sciences: Degree Programs](<a href=“http://www.math.cmu.edu/undergraduate/degrees.html]Department”>Degrees - Mathematical Sciences - Mellon College of Science - Carnegie Mellon University)), but they have quite a bit of overlap.</p>
<p>To be an A student in some of the proof-based classes (for example, most are struggling with 21-127, Concepts of Mathematics, right now.) you need to have had an extensive math background in high school; relatively few freshmen are at that stage. B’s are not too difficult to get though. The “applied” classes are generally supposed to be easier. The professors are generally ok to great (MACKEY!) and I haven’t run into anyone that’s dowrnight bad. Math TAs are awesome, especially compared to those of other departments. I don’t show up to econ recitations but I make it a point to show up to math ones.</p>
<p>Hope that block of text helps :P</p>