How difficult is it to survive at Carnegie Mellon(mathematics)?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Carnegie Mellon University
1

Hello, I was recently admitted to the CMU class of 2022 as a mathematical sciences major. I was very lucky to be selected to such an elite program(the job outlooks are phenomenal) but I am becoming increasingly concerned about the difficulty of the program. As a junior I took AP Calc AB and did well. However, this year I took AP Calc BC and our high school has a notoriously hard Calc BC program(we have a near 100% 5 rate on the AP test every year). I am confident that I will get a 5 on the AP test, but I am struggling in the class(I currently have a C). Compared to some of my peers, who are all extremely intelligent, I am feeling as though I am very average on an elite level when it comes to math. I enjoy math but I am by no means a “math prodigy” or anything like that. I fear that amongst competition at CMU, I may potentially fail out. However, if I manage to graduate through this program it could mean a lot of great benefits, but I am concerned about making it through. Is this a rational or irrational fear? I’ve heard that CMU is one of the more difficult institutions, but i’ve also heard that at private schools they cater to their students and make sure they graduate. What are some of the benefits of attending these private schools in terms of your GPA and graduation?

I love studying math and CS, and I realize that only about 70-80 individuals are selected to CMU’s mathematical sciences program every year. The average starting salary for this program is about 85K starting, which is ridiculously high for an average starting salary, that being said I am trying to weigh the potential risks against the reward. Maybe this is just myself being paranoid and problematic, but any advice is greatly appreciated.

Also, my alternative would be to major in engineering at schools like UIUC(I got in for ME), Northeastern, and the UCs. Would majoring in engineering at these schools be any easier/harder than CMU Mathematics? I’m not trying to look for the easiest route, I just want to know what I should expect from these programs relative to one another. If they are all the same relative level of difficulty, I’ll choose CMU, but if certain programs are significantly easier and my chances of succeeding are higher, then I have something to think about.

2

U can always drop out and transfer somewhere else if u need to. Don’t think they would’ve accepted u if they didn’t think u couldn’t make it. Go there and see how it is

3

Current CMU math major here (2020). I CONSTANTLY wonder if I belong, if I’m not smart enough, if everyone else is better, etc. The answer is it’s hard, it’s not always fun, but I love what I’m doing and I’ve learned so much. It’s definitely not for everyone but I know people in the program wth all different levels of math background and if this is what you want, you definitely can make it happen. Would my GPA be higher at other schools with less work? Definitely. But like you said, there are plenty of job prospects even with less than stellar grades.

4

I currently go to Carnegie Mellon University and I am in MCS with plenty of math major friends. If you are willing to work hard and to look to your peers, professors, and TAs for support, you can definitely be successful. The classes are very difficult, but there is a network here to support you. I went into CMU wondering if I was good enough. Actually it’s quite common amongst students at CMU, but once you’re here, the academic community will help show you that you belong. At least that has been what I have discovered since beginning at CMU in the fall.

5

If you applied ED it is binding, barring extenuating circumstances, and you are supposed to pull applications at other schools. That being said you are admitted to the school (MCS) and can major in anything in that school, which is math, biology, chemistry or physics. You don’t declare your major until sophomore year. You can take classes/double major in CS. There are also programs with Dietrich (big data focus and others you can find on the website). How did you feel when you visited? Do you have a revisit scheduled? Talking to current students, sitting in on a few classes will remind you why you applied there.