I posted this in the other two college threads as well. I looked around, but all the threads comparing these three schools seem really old so…here we go.
My intention is a major in Mathematics and a minor in Computer Science. For a while I was pretty set on a career in academia for mathematics (it’s fully my intention to get a Ph.D. in mathematics), but I’d like the option to go into industry as well. All majors are pretty easily available to me at Harvey Mudd and Cornell, and for Carnegie Mellon I got into MCS, but I’ve talked to enough people that I don’t think a minor in CS would be too much of an issue (but if you have another opinion I’d appreciate it!)
About me: I’m a homeschooler from the Midwest. Math has been a passion my whole life, and I’m pretty far into the undergrad curriculum already (Calc BC, Multi Calc, Linear Algebra, Diff Eqs, Real Analysis, Modern Algebra done already). I also love recreational math (math camps every year). I enjoy CS, but I’m also somewhat minoring in it for job security. I’m very, very vaguely interested in astrophysics/aerospace, but I don’t think it’ll factor in that much. My dream is to work for SpaceX (in the math/CS side, not engineering), but I’m only in high school and this will definitely change.
Here are the things important to me:
-math program (esp. pure math)
-computer science program (one that’s accessible to me even as a math major)
-math research opportunities (my background would probably allow me to start after freshman year)
-a variety of research interests in the math program especially
-computer science internship opportunities
-a non-competitive atmosphere
-a good GPA for grad school
-professors that are accessible to me in general for questions/etc
Other things to consider, but that matter less:
-school size
-weather (doesn’t really matter at all, but HMC wins hands down here)
-a bit of flexibility in taking non-major/minor related courses (I’d be fine with or without these)
-prestige (this barely matters for me, but I want the school I go to to be recognized by employers on both the coasts as well as at least Chicago)
-I don’t like party/greek life, but I can probably avoid it at any of the universities
-hopefully dorms that aren’t gross xD - also I’d like to live off campus after sophomore year but I don’t need to
Insight into any of these categories would be very helpful, or even outside of these categories. I already have preconceived notions on all of them, but I’d really like to hear a lot of perspectives people might have on these schools. Please feel free to ask/PM me if you want more on my background in alignment with any of these schools.
Thanks!