Applying RD- Considering MMSS vs Engineering

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
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I am currently in the process of applying to Northwestern for undergraduate admission. I was originally planning on applying to McCormick Engineering, with the idea of majoring in Industrial Engineering (I enjoy the big-picture analytical side of problem solving) and was thinking I might do a certificate related to business (if I’m not mistaken there’s a business certificate and Kellogg certificate that one could go for) down the road.

However, I’ve recently been looking at the Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences program and it seems really interesting. I’ve heard that the MMSS program looks for more quantitative students which I think I’d fit, especially since my favorite classes in high school have been in social studies and math/problem solving. I actually also took part in the Moody’s Foundation Mega Math Challenge if anyone is familiar with it, and enjoyed that sort of data-driven analytical modeling tremendously- it seems the MMSS program would allow me to continue to do similar work, especially if I combined it with Econ.

My problem is that I’m now a little conflicted since (correct me if I’m wrong) you have to apply to Weinberg to take MMSS (since social sciences are under Weinberg). Because MMSS is very selective, I could get into Weinberg but not MMSS, in which case I’d rather have done the Industrial Engineering at McCormick.

Does anyone know if you can apply to McCormick and still apply to MMSS, and if I get in then transfer to Weinberg to take MMSS?

Right now I think I’m going to just apply to McCormick because I know I’ll be fine there and if I have a change of heart down the road (maybe after speaking to professors or advisors at Northwestern) I can try for MMSS for sophomore?

Do you think this is a good plan, or would you suggest another route? Any advice is welcome. If you’ve taken Industrial or MMSS yourself any information about your experiences would also be greatly appreciated. I’ve looked through other posts but the more information the better!

Of course, I have to actually get into Northwestern too which isn’t exactly a walk in the park, but all I can do there at this point is hope for the best.

Thanks in advance for all the advice!

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Which of these programs are you most interested in doing? I think that should be the deciding factor in where you apply.

If you like MMSS better than IEMS
…If you apply to Weinberg and MMSS, and do get into Weinberg and MMSS, great.
…If you apply to Weinberg and MMSS, and get into Weinberg but not MMSS, you can
…transfer to McCormick real easily, even before you start at NU
…and do IEMS and apply to MMSS sophomore entry, which takes applicants from all schools.
…or stick with IEMS
…or stay in Weinberg and wait to apply to MMSS sophomore entry
…If you get rejected from NU, you’ll likely find another school where you’ll be academically challenged.

If you like IEMS better then MMSS
…Apply to IEMS. If you get into NU, do IEMS.

Here’s a link to the MMSS website http://www.mmss.northwestern.edu/admission/faqs.html

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Oh, I didn’t know it was that easy to transfer to McCormick, that’s good to know. I think I’ll apply to Weinberg and MMSS and if I don’t get in, transfer over then. I’m not sure if I like MMSS more than IEMS for sure, but MMSS is something I haven’t seen at the other schools I was looking at, and I think it sort of “sets NU apart”.

Thanks so much!

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MMSS is a tight knit community with an [incredibly strong alumni network](Employment Placements: Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences - Northwestern University), with our own lounge stocked with free keurigs.

These are two great reasons to like us better than IEMS :stuck_out_tongue:

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Glad to help, and good luck!