<p>I'm planning on studying math in college, and am having trouble deciding where I want to go. I've narrowed my choices down to columbia (rabi scholar) and uchicago. I want to study pure math in college and take the most rigorous possible courses (i already have had most introductory courses and have taken analysis). If i go to columbia, i'd like to skip the honors math calculus class. Can you guys give me your impressions about the difficulty of math at columbia, or compare it with math at uchicago?</p>
<p>I too am trying to choose between Columbia (John Jay Scholar) and the University of Chicago. I would appreciate if anyone could compare experiences at the two schools.</p>
<p>Arp,
My biggest advice to students trying to determine which school to attend based on "expected major" is to always ask yourself, "what will happen if I decide to switch majors?" Many of my classmates hadn't figured out what they wanted to major in until mid Jr. year after changing their minds 2-3 times. </p>
<p>I don't know much about UChicago except that is a fine school with an excellent reputation. I know that it also has a core curriculum. </p>
<p>I would say that Columbia offers the following v. UChicago:
-greater name recognition and prestige;
-div IA sports (I think the Football team actually went .500 last year);
-NYC (Chicago is a great place, too--I've been there twice for business); and
-beautiful campus (although I've seen pics of UChicago and it seems to also have this).</p>
<p>You really need to visit each school and ask many questions to determine which school would be a better fit for you. Also, you should evaluate the $$$, if this is an issue. </p>
<p>As for my personal experience, I had a wonderful time at Columbia. I was from the city and at the time, never wanted to leave Manhattan since I was pretty active in the local club scene. I had great professors and internship opportunities, including working for a top IBank one summer and a top lawfirm for two summers due to a CU mentor. Two of my three best friends to this day are from Columbia. I had a wonderful time and would recommend it to anyone looking for an environment where they don't intend to be coddled everyday and taking advantage of NYC. Many classes will require you to explore the city's museums, archictecture, etc., which is a great way to round out one's educational experience.</p>
<p>hi columbia grad, thanks for the information. I totally agree with your advice that I should consider more things, and I am. Right now I am just investigating the math at both schools, but will not ultimately make a decision just on that. I am, however, certain that I will major in math, so it will be a very important part of my decision.</p>
<p>In terms of math, Columbia's math is good of course, but math is one of Chicago's strongest suits. At least traditionally, Chicago has attracted more pure math kids (Putnam competititon types) than Columbia. They cluster there as they do at Harvard and MIT. On the other hand, a Rabi scholar will enter Columbia with guaranteed mentoring and math research opportunities. My impression is a Rabi scholar is pretty much embraced as a math colleague from the start. The program is aimed at drawing more math and science stars to Columbia, since in the past many were turned off by having to do Columbia's heavy-duty humanities curriculum. (Columbia's Honors math III and IV are proof-based multivariable calculus and proof-based linear algebra. You can certainly talk to the department about whether or not that is where you should start, but the prof the year my son took Honors Math IV told them it was the hardest math class they would have at Columbia. My S said there were amazing math students in it.)</p>
<p>The atmosphere at Chicago and Columbia is very different, though in some ways they have much in common. I don't think you'll go wrong, whichever you choose.</p>
<p>John Jay Scholars are Columbia College's designation for the top of its admitted class. It's an honor and may have some bearing on your financial aid package but it doesn't get you much once on campus. There is a student-run program of scholars which invites speakers; there are some dinners; best of all, free tickets to some plays. Students who are active may use it for networking. Rabi scholars, on the other hand, are chosen directly by science and math faculty (not the adcom) as students they want to cultivate.</p>
<p>I was an applied math major. I grew up in high school with a number of stellar math talents, many of whom went to Harvard, MIT, etc - so I know one when I see one. And there were plenty at Columbia. Maybe not all of them... the Economics majors in the math classes were essentially curve-padders for the AM or pure Math majors. But among the real serious math students, many that I knew went to top PhD programs, Google, DE Shaw, etc. Brian Greene, of String Theory fame and Nova specials, is actually a math professor at columbia, not physics. and so forth. I can answer more specific questions if you'd like to PM me.</p>
<p>As for Scholar programs, there are other threads that detail that issue more closely.</p>
<p>Yes, you absolutely can go on to top PhD programs from Columbia. Funny you mention DE Shaw, because one of S's profs is leaving teaching for DE Shaw. So you might have to compete with your professors for that:)</p>
<p>I didn't mean that there were not major math talents at Columbia, which seems to do an especially good job attracting Eastern Europeans. Just that Chicago is a traditional magnet for pure math, and so there will be probably be a heavier concentration of excellent theoretical math students there. For some in theoretical math having that kind of peer group is important. On the other hand, as I pointed out, the Rabi Scholar award and its perks could very well trump that consideration, because it provides such a group. And, Columbia established the award because it is interested in pulling those students away from places like Harvard and Princeton and Chicago that have a history of attracting them. I think it's succeeding.</p>
<p>dude, i'd love to be working for DE Shaw, but i'm definitely not competing with my professors for the same positions. they'd be brought on as a junior partner or at least a VP, probably, whereas i'd be an analyst. Slightly different :)</p>