cal applied math (econ emphasis) vs ucla math/econ

Transfer Students UC Transfers
1

<p>Hello. I am a transfer student and will be attending either Cal or UCLA this next fall. My question would be to people who have either graduated from these programs or are currently enrolled in them. I have researched both majors and am still undecided on which one would be my best fit. The Cal major seems to be a more traditional math major with a total of 5 "abstract/proof" related classes, and then whatever classes I wish to make up my area of emphasis cluster. On the other hand, UCLA math/econ major seems to have a little less focus on the proof related classes and a little bit more freedom in both your math electives and economics classes (if I'm correct the UCLA major requires Intro to Analysis, Abstract Algebra, and Numerical Analysis for the "core" proof related classes). </p>

<p>I have taken discreet math so I'm semi-familiar with proofs, although I know that Analysis is THE hardest course in undergraduate and has been known to kick the ass of even the brightest students. I'm not sure as to what I'd like to do after I graduate. I feel that Cal's major would prepare me slightly better for graduate school in mathematics since it has more proof related core math classes, but at the same time I feel that UCLA's major would prepare me slightly better for the private sector/work, and/or master's in various math/finance specialties. </p>

<p>To anyone who is currently in the program and/or has graduated please let me know what you think of your respective education. Obviously both of these schools are amazing; Cal has one of the world's top math programs (graduate school though), and I've been told by my professor who completed a PhD at UCLA that their applied math program is extremely strong. If you have graduated let me know what you are currently doing. Work (what kind), graduate school, etc. Thanks.</p>

2

<p>Similar question. Would love an answer.</p>

3

<p>Completely relevant to my internets. Vamp.</p>

4

<p>I can’t say much bout ucla, but berkeley’s math is #1 and econ is tth</p>

<p>[National</a> rankings & faculty honors - UC Berkeley](<a href=“http://berkeley.edu/about/rank.shtml]National”>http://berkeley.edu/about/rank.shtml)</p>

5

<p>I transferred to UCLA this past Fall as a Math/Econ major. (also took summer session C classes).</p>

<p>First off, as a Math/Econ major, the only real abstract proof classes you are required to take is one linear algebra (115A) and one real analysis (131A). You don’t have to take 110A or 117 (Abstract Algebra) for the major. </p>

<p>Nonetheless, the major only consists of 13 upper division classes. Even if you finish your major, you will still need to take additional classes to fulfill graduation requirements. As a result, there is absolutely nothing stopping you from taking the entire real analysis, linear algebra, abstract algebra sequences, or any other abstract proof class/sequence. Furthermore, if you are considering graduate school, you are definitely going to have to do more than just the “bare minimum.” This also applies if you decide to go to Berkeley. Simply meeting Berkeley’s minimum major requirements will not be enough to make you a competitive applicant for a top grad school. Honestly, both schools would prepare you just as well for graduate school.</p>

<p>On a side note, UCLA math/econ majors get a lot of the same perks as econ majors. In fact, as a math/econ major you are also eligible to apply for the departmental scholars program in economics (which would allow you to take graduate econ classes and get a masters). Moreover, the two DSP students last year were math/econ majors. Even if you are not currently in DSP you are allowed to take graduate courses (provided your grades are strong) in math and/or econ. I will be taking Econ 287C with world famous Professor Arnold Harberger (the man that the Harberger triangle is named after) next quarter.</p>

<p>Regarding “work/private sector,” Math/Econ majors also qualify for the same internships as bizecon/econ majors. So far I’ve landed interviews with JPMorgan and Deloitte, and my other friends majoring in math/econ have had interviews with Merrill Lynch, PWC, UBS, etc. Furthermore, Math/Econ majors aren’t looked down upon in comparison to Bizecon majors by recruiters. When it comes to Berkeley, although it is true there is way more recruiting, many finance/management jobs are targeted towards the Haas students rather than the econ students. This does not necessarily preclude econ students from getting these same internships; but they are generally held in less regard than a Haas student. Weighing it all in, overall I would say the “work/private sector” opportunities/preparation is the same at both schools.</p>

<p>In summary I think both schools would offer you pretty much the same opportunities for what you are looking for. At this point I think you should figure out which school is a better “fit” for you.</p>

<p>Best of luck! </p>

<p>Extra Note: Although I think this is a terrible way to rank a school’s undergraduate departments, if we are going to be ranking departments strength by faculty, it should be noted that Terence Tao, arguably the greatest mathematician currently alive, has been teaching at UCLA for almost 20 years. /End Note</p>

6

<p>I think usually the only positions where Haas majors are recruited more heavily are accounting and consulting just because its so hard for non-haas majors to take accounting courses during the regular semester. </p>

<p>also, analysis isn’t necessarily the hardest undergraduate math course. I’m taking it this semester and i think abstract algebra is of comparable difficulty. There are many people who i’ve talked to that said the upper div linear algebra course here was harder than analysis.</p>

<p>edit: also, what Supa_Ramga said about grad school is correct. To goto top grad schools for math you would need to do a bunch of research (getting published would be great) and probably excel in several graduate courses. I think both Cal and UCLA would be fine institutions to give you the opportunities to prepare for graduate studies in mathematics.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for the info JetForce! That was an excellent bit of information. Do you know of any starch differences between the programs?</p>

8

<p>Thanks Supa_Ramga. Your answer was thorough and exactly what I was looking for. Everything you said is what I figured. Both schools are exceptional in “ranking” and prestige, both would offer excellent post-undergrad opportunities (relatively speaking of course), and that its really just up to me in how far I want to push myself to prepare for private sector work and/or grad work in my junior and senior course-loads. I’m from San Diego, but I’m kind of leaning towards Berkeley because 1.)both schools are excellent and have little pros/cons over each other, and 2.) I’d like a change of pace. And in the end, its only two/two and half years. Thanks again.</p>

9

<p>Oh and mathnerd, were you accepted to UCLA and Cal? Care to share stats and ecs?</p>

10

<p>No not officially. I guess I am assuming I will get into either. With all the budget cuts and everything nothing is guaranteed, but my college counsellor’s said that if I didn’t get in something must have gone wrong in the application process. Nonetheless, I’ll share my stats.</p>

<p>Community College GPA: 3.9</p>

<p>major pre-req GPA: 3.8 (all pre-reqs had been finished by fall semester, which I consider a plus)</p>

<p>Other University (UCSD, Univ Washington-Seattle) cumulative GPA: 3.7</p>

<p>current work: math tutor at my community college</p>

<p>Thought one of my essays was good, the other one not so much. And math major isn’t too competitive relative to other majors (UCLA math/econ admit rate was around 70%).</p>

<p>The relative rule of thumb for admission (unless your econ or business major) is 3.5 UCLA, 3.7 Cal. Of course this varies. I’m sure you’ve already seen this, but here, I used this as a rough guideline of what I needed to do.</p>

<p>[Profile</a> of Admitted Transfer Students by Major, Fall 2009 - UCLA Undergraduate Admissions](<a href=“http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/Adm_tr/Tr_Prof09_mjr.htm]Profile”>http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/prospect/Adm_tr/Tr_Prof09_mjr.htm)</p>

11

<p>^
Is it just me or math majors only have tutoring as their EC?? I’m trying to find something else tho. If I’m stuck in being a tutor, I want to tutor Calculus so I could master calc 1 all over again.</p>

<p>Good luck on your app!</p>

<p>We’re not affected by the cuts! Please do tell when you’re officially accepted!</p>

12

<p>Hey folks,
My current community college is De Anza (Cupertino, CA) and I am International student, majoring in Math/Econ.
But the problem is that UCLA requires for CIS 27, which they determine to be equivalent with their COMPTNG 10A (introduction to programming C++). However, I have talked to some of the CIS instructors and all of them claimed that CIS 27 is an advanced class rather than an introduction.
I wonder if it is okay for me to still apply as Math/Econ major to UCLA and if I get in, I will fulfill COMPTNG 10A there?</p>

<p>[ASSIST</a> Report: DAC 12-13 UCLA Articulation Agreement by Major](<a href=“http://web1.assist.org/web-assist/report.do?agreement=aa&reportPath=REPORT_2&reportScript=Rep2.pl&event=19&dir=1&sia=DAC&ria=UCLA&ia=DAC&oia=UCLA&aay=12-13&ay=13-14&dora=MATH%2FECON]ASSIST”>http://web1.assist.org/web-assist/report.do?agreement=aa&reportPath=REPORT_2&reportScript=Rep2.pl&event=19&dir=1&sia=DAC&ria=UCLA&ia=DAC&oia=UCLA&aay=12-13&ay=13-14&dora=MATH%2FECON)</p>

13

<p>I have a friend who was accepted to both Berkeley’s and UCLA Mathematics programs for undergrad. He chose LA and succeeded in his years there. He just got accepted into grad school from MIT and Yale. I think he’s choosing Yale.</p>

<p>He says the program at UCLA really prepared him and the faculty is incredibly top-notch.</p>

14

<p>I came in as math/econ last year, my CC didint offer pic 10A so I took it my first quarter at UCLA.</p>

15

<p>Hi Supa_Ramga,
I’m right now a second year Math Econ student at UCLA. After this summer it will be my third year(I’m not a transfer) and I will take Math 131A, Math 132, Econ 103 and probably Math 134 in the Fall quarter. Right now my GPA is 4.0 and I want to take the DSP so I need to keep my GPA as high as possible. I just learnt that we can take Prof. Harberger’s Econ 287c in the fall quarter as undergraduate student, even if we are not in the DSP yet, so I want to take that class and try to get a letter of recommendation by working really hard. Do you think it’s possible? I mean, if I take the Econ 287c class, I will probably take only Math 131A, Math 132, Econ 103, Econ 287c four classes in total, and my goal is to get A in all of these classes, do you think that’s doable?
Thanks a lot!</p>

16

<p>larrybr, just so you know, SupaRamga posted that message over a year ago and if you click on the name you can see its been about that long since her/his last post. In other words, chances of seeing it are slim…</p>