Finding top Pure Math colleges

College Search & Selection
1

Hi guys,

I am a cc student looking to transfer next year. I have a stellar application right now, and am looking at upcoming possible colleges. I am a pure math major with hopes of moving into cryptography (computer science security/encryption) during my graduate years.

I want to get a list of colleges I should look at for strong pure math and maybe ones that integrate some level of computer science? Ivy leagues ARE NOT out of the question, I am very interested in those as well, but I’ve seen a mix of colleges, but none really highlight computer science security AND math.

My current list:
Princeton
MIT
Harvey Mudd
Stanford
UCLA
UChicago

I am very open to other colleges that may fit this criteria, or if these colleges themselves do not fit this criteria, please let me know.

Thanks.

2

Cal and Michigan-Ann Arbor are excellent at Mathematics and should offer ample options in Cryptography and Discrete Mathematics in general.

3

It is pretty tough to transfer into Mudd. They only take a couple a year. I also think it is tough to satisfy their core requirements as a transfer.

4

ok, I’ll look more precisely into it, thank you.

5

I have also explored Ann Arbor, I was just hesitant about the programs, thanks for the input.

6

Good point intparent. On a related not, transferring into Chicago, Stanford and MIT is also next to impossible. We are talking 2-5% acceptance rates. As for Princeton, they do not admit transfers altogether.

7

I understand the really low acceptance rates, but tbh I feel I can definitely at least be competitive. I have seen most of the acceptance rates and I’m not deterred.

Side note: I’ve seen a lot of articles on them planning to start accepting transfers for fall of 2018 (when I will be transferring). Is that wrong?

8

NYU Courant is very, very strong.

9

Georgia Tech for computer science but I am not sure if they would offer you the math curriculum you are looking for but may be worth a look!

10

HS Info:

College info:

You are being highly optimistic. All the schools you listed also consider HS info for transfers. If you are a California CC student UCLA may be possible. You also need to look at costs. You would be full pay at UCLA, GTech and UMich if you’re OOS.

11

These colleges appear in a Princeton Review sampling, “Great Schools for Mathematics Majors” (unscreened):

Agnes Scott
Bowdoin
Bryant
Bryn Mawr
Caltech
Carleton
Holy Cross
College of Idaho
Grinnell
Hamilton
Hampton
Harvard
HMC
Haverford
Macalester
MIT
Randolph
Reed
Rice
St. Lawrence
St. Olaf
SUNY-Albany
U.S. Coast Guard Academy
UChicago
URochester
Wabash

12

GA Tech has a Cryptography group – looks like the faculty are in CS rather than math. I’d imagine there’s quite a bit of crossover between that and their Discrete Mathematics major, though.

13

Yeah, you aren’t transferring into Mudd with those stats. Just as an example, my Mudder had a 2380 SAT, 35 ACT, and two 800 subject tests. And she works like crazy to stay as high as the middle of the class there. Your whole list unrealistic, except maybe UCLA if you are a Cslifornia CC student. But there are lots of schools that will challenge you besides those.

14

Your list is fine. You will not go wrong at either of the schools you list. Good luck.

15

He needs a reasonable list.

Many ivies don’t accept transfers. I don’t know if P does, but probably not unless you’re the child of a recent top prof they just hired.

You’ve done well at your CC, congrats. What state are you in? How much will your parents pay each year?

Transfers often don’t get great aid.

If these top schools will look at your high school grades and scores, you will likely not get accepted because it will appear that your CC wasn’t difficult and had grade inflation. A 3.66 weighted high school GPA is an issue, as well as your SAT.

Seriously, the transfers that are accepted to top schools likely have a 4.0 in college and an impressive app.

16

–Are the colleges on your list affordable (transfers rarely get merit aid)?

–As discussed above, the chances of transferring into these schools is slim so no matter your accomplishments, if you definitely want to leave the CC you should expand your horizons.

17

State of residency? Cost constraints?

If you are a California resident, definitely look into the various UCs. If you are interested in cryptography, look for faculty and courses in algebra and number theory in the math department; there may be specific courses on cryptography in the math or CS departments. You will probably want to take some CS courses as well (the lower division courses and the upper division theory courses).

UC transfer admission stats can be found at https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/infocenter/transfers-major . Be sure to run the net price calculator at each school if cost is a concern.

18

You are a Calif resident, so are you going to TAG to a UC? That would be your best bet.

It appears that you’ve been at a CC for 3 years…is that correct? I don’t know how that will also influence top schools.

19

You will find rigorous and challenging upper level math programs at nearly any public flagship university. This is true x5 in California. Pure math means grad school anyway so don’t waste your effort on transfers that are not likely to happen. Find a good program where you can excel to get your BS. Then you can prep for the GRE and shop for good grad schools.

20

If they look at my high school then it is completely true that I am in a lot of trouble. I went from a mediocre basic student in HS to top of my class in most of my classes, my ECs sky rocketed, I am holding the top award a student can get in my entire college, top of the line internships and some research background, while working full-time. And to be very clear I AM NOT LOOKING FOR UCs. They are great schools, but this post was to find OTHER options that wern’t UC related. I have been told numerous times that I would make it into UCLA, Cal, and the other UCs without breaking a sweat. Costs I would not be too heavily fearful of due to me receiving many scholarships, working full-time and saving 90% of it over the past two years, and my parents are willing to help me.