<p>Hello Everyone,
I was just wondering what university, Harvard or Princeton, is better for pure math. Based on teaching quality, student body, course content etc.</p>
<p>Harvard does better on the putnam.</p>
<p>I would have to say that Harvard has a much better mathematics program due to the strength of its graduate school and all of its resources. Plus, its Harvard. Enough said.</p>
<p>Princeton focuses its resources in its undergraduate education may be a difference in its undergraduate program vs Harvard</p>
<p>At Harvard strong math students take graduate level math classes beginning in their sophomore or junior year so the issue of undergraduate focus is irrelevant.
Students should not choose between Princeton and Harvard on the basis of which math program is the best. They are equally excellent. More important factors are the social scene at each and the location.</p>
<p>Depends on who you believe.
US news. Princeton is #1
Search</a> - Math - Best Graduate Schools - Education - US News and World Report
Fields Medal - Princeton has more
Fields</a> Medal -- from Wolfram MathWorld
Putnam - Should not even be in there for consideration unless you are into that kind things. But you can take at the results
Putnam</a> Directory</p>
<p>It all comes down which area in math you are interested in. If you don't know yet (if you do, you probably can go to graduate school directly already), it doesn't really matter if you choose Princeton or Harvard undergraduate for pure math. Both schools invite mathematicians from all over the world to give talks on the weekly basis, if not more frequent. You will find someone to you want to be you advisor for your graduate study. For pure math, whom you want to be your advisor , that will determine which graduate school to go is far more important. Students often (are also encouraged) go to a different school for gradaute study. If you are into Harvard's name, go to Princeton for undergraduate and Harvard for graduate, and vice-versa.</p>
<p>I don't care about the putnam results, which has the better faculty, student-body, and courses?</p>
<p>Faculty - It's depend on you. They all hate to teach undergraduate and low level graduate cources. If you can stand out in the area one of them is interested in and he/her recognizes you, then that faculty is better than everyone else for you.
Student-body - It's depend on you. They are all excellent and some may like you and some may not.
Courses- It's depend on you. You can take a look the course descriptions, syllabus, notes, even videos on-line.</p>
<p>I'm not sure you can generalize and say "they all hate to teach undergraduate... courses." I know for a fact that the professors who teach Math 23, 25, and 55 all LOVE their classes and put a ton of time and effort into them. Many people say 55 was their favorite math class at Harvard (and the 55 kids take both grad and undergrad level courses, so they get exposure to both worlds).</p>
<p>h-bomber - OK. The political correct way to say that (Although it does not change a thing) is "they all care much and much more about their researches than about their teaching".</p>
<p>It is virtually impossible to distinguish on the basis of faculty and students. As far as courses go, both schools have their standouts. Harvard has Math 55. Princeton has a really amazing analysis sequence. There are a number of compelling differences between the two schools (location, atmosphere, etc.), and I think it makes more sense to base your decision on them.</p>