<p>My source of statistics are various profs in the math dept. You may speak with them if you'd like. Charles Johnson is pretty notable, a leading researcher in linear algebra, one of the best in the world, and an expert on mathematics education. Spitkovsky is pretty solid as is Bolotnikov (who is, IMHO, as well as the opinion of many others, one of the absolute best profs at W&M).</p>
<p>As far as students go, four Goldwater recipients in the last 5 years, two of the last for Botetourt recipients have been math students, a Truman scholar, etc.</p>
<p>nor do they have an exceptionally strong program.
Yes, you've said this. I believe this is the third time. You've yet to substantiate. Tell me, how significant of a difference is the 1.5% vs. top 50 schools? Our cohort? How many students in those schools go past calc II? If these are significant differences, in what way does this make the math *dept *weak? Yes, the math powered flight course is ridiculous. Many other schools offer such cake courses. Your point about calc is nonsensical...or does MIT pretty much require calc b/c their math dept is weak too?</p>
<p>What math courses have you taken? Your major? Class?</p>
<p>You name your three favorite professors, and I'll name three that prove my point. We could go on for weeks. If you want to pursue your statistical claims further, post documentation.</p>
<p>Yes, there are a couple of decent professors (three of whom you have named), and there are lousy ones as well. True of any department at any school. You're still missing the point, and obviously didn't bother reading very thoroughly. Mathematics is a weaker department and an underemphasized subject relative to the others AT WILLIAM & MARY. This is why it seems so ludicrous that students would be required to take calculus in high school to be considered candidates for admission. Get it now? The point is the relative emphasis put on different subject areas to contextualize (or in this case, attempt to disprove) admissions decisions.</p>
<p>I've cited my sources. Like I said, you may speak with them. I got your "point". Your (greatly unsubstantiated) argument that the dept is weak just doesn't hold much water. Sorry.</p>
<p>Yes, people you've "spoken" to. Well documented.</p>
<p>I don't see how whether a major is popular or not leads to the strength of the program anyways.</p>
<p>The point is not very many students choose W&M because of the math department. Similarly, applicants intending to major in computer science would probably have many other more preferable choices. Likewise, admissions will not require any kind of exceptional strength in mathematics (or computer science, to follow up on my parallel example), beyond the overall excellence required of all applicants. Would Juilliard turn down an applicant simply because they hadn't taken AP Biology? Of course not.</p>
<p>I don't see how whether a major is popular or not leads to the strength of the program anyways.</p>
<p>It doesn't, of course. Mathematics is hardly a popular major anywhere - something java tends to ignore. Even at schools with quite strong mathematics depts, there aren't very many math majors. For example, this year, Princeton is graduating seventeen students (roughly 1.5% of their class). Their dept is one of the best in the world.</p>
<p>While we're on the discussion, is majoring in math advantageous at a school like W&M, in terms of admissions? I know at least some schools say this has no impact on the admissions decision, but I was just curious on thoughts?</p>
<p>I don't recall being even asked what I planned on majoring in on the application. Perhaps if you write your essay on it and show a lot of enthusiasm. Otherwise, I don't believe W&M really cares what you plan on majoring in. They realise that most students change majors multiple times.</p>
<p>yea, I don't think planned major is anywhere on the application...</p>
<p>If many, many students do not pursue a major in a certain area, colleges such as W&M are not likely to universally require advanced high school courses in that area.
MIT = the #1 math program = 6% math majors. And 36% engineering. They are much more likely to use criteria such as the calculus one alleged of William & Mary.</p>