<p>I am thinking of applying to both. I probably have no chance of getting in to either, but I"m wondering which is less out of reach. For reference I did undergrad at stony brook, double majored in Chem and Applied Math, overall GPA about 3.0 (but if you cut out my first few semesters it's about 3.3, and about 3.5 for my last two semesters), did a summer internship with the city and chem research with a prof for a year. I haven't really decided which of the two majors I want to do in grad school but I want to do an MS instead of a PhD because I want to see what grad student life is like before I commit to something like that.. maybe if I like it I will apply to a PhD while I'm still in the MS program.</p>
<p>I'm also wondering if there are any other decently regarded applied math programs in NYC or nearby (preferably towards upstate NY, not long island or new jersey). I have been accepted to MS Chem at City College of New York, so I at least have something I can definitely do if nothing else works out, but I'm not sure how much of a help that will really be for my future.</p>
<p>Hunter College has a good MS in applied math & statistics. Baruch also has both an MS and an MBA in statistics, if that’s what you’d like to study.</p>
<p>I’m not really sure which between Columbia and NYU is more competitive. I would assume any differences are probably quite small.</p>
<p>If you don’t want an MS in chemistry, don’t get the MS in chem at City just because you’ve been admitted. You should go for the graduate degree you want and that will help you get the career you want.</p>
<p>Well, I am interested in both fields, but from everything I hear, an MS in chem doesn’t carry you very far, and you need a PhD for anything in chem, whereas I hear it’s different for Applied Math, where a Masters looks quite good. I like both fields but there is that concern.</p>
<p>Also, I’m going to be starting at City College this spring, but I’d be applying to to other programs for Fall 2015, so I wouldn’t even hear back until I’m halfway through my first semester at City College. If I get in somewhere else and I think it’s a good course of action, I’d leave, if I don’t get in, well at least I’m somewhere.</p>
<p>* If I get in somewhere else and I think it’s a good course of action, I’d leave, if I don’t get in, well at least I’m somewhere.*</p>
<p>But this is what I’m talking about - the mentality that “at least I am in somewhere.” A graduate degree is largely a means to an end. Generally speaking, one doesn’t attend a graduate program just because they like are or interested in it. One attends a graduate program because one wants a job in that particular field, and needs the degree to get the job.</p>
<p>If you want a career that requires an MS in chemistry, then go for it! But if you really want to be a statistician or applied mathematician, it doesn’t really make a lot of sense to get an MS in chemistry just because you are already in somewhere.</p>