Math at Amherst

Colleges and Universities A-Z Amherst College
1

<p>Just a few questions regarding math at Amherst…</p>

<p>Assuming I receive a 4 or a 5 on the BC exam (I got a 5 on the AB), and I want to be a math major, should I go on to multivariable, or would it be beneficial to retake one or both semesters to ground myself in the concepts of calculus?</p>

<p>What are the upper level math classes like at Amherst difficulty wise? I know not many people post on the Amherst programs so speculation is welcome, but just let me know if that is the case.</p>

<p>Do top grad schools respect Amherst math? I want to teach math (at a college similar to Amherst), so I definitely want to go to a good school for my PhD. </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

2

<p>If you’re already going to Amherst, congrats. If you are deciding where to apply, you should definitely consider Williams, which arguably has one of the preeminent undergraduate math programs in the nation.</p>

3

<p>Definitely take Multi. It’s not an intelllectual leap from Calc BC in the slightest. If you want to be a math major, take a class like Real Analysis/Set Theory ASAP. Those are “real” math classes and they will teach you if you like graduate level work. Calc/Linear algebra really isn’t where it’s at.</p>

<p>Williams has a better math program…but then again I’m slightly biased. I’m sure grad schools respect AmHerst math too, but Williams has a stellar math program.</p>

4

<p>Thx for the feedback. I have already applied to Amherst. I think I’ll get in based on athletic recruitment but of course, I have no idea… </p>

<p>My parents are both math majors and they’re being annoying. They’re saying that for grad school I should start out with Calc1 so I can automatically get A’s. That doesn’t really make much sense to me because they’re really only going to care about how well I do in the real courses as you said like real analysis, discrete math, abstract, etc.</p>

5

<p>Go on straight to Multivariable. DO NOT TAKE regular calculus again. I hear it’s really hard and will destroy your GPA. I went straight to MV Calc and think it is very manageable. Linear algebra isn’t bad either. I hear that anything after that might be tough. I didn’t take anything after LA, but the rumor is that the upper classes are full of international Asian students who already learned everything back home and are just in for the degree. I think that’s tongue in cheek, but the basic idea is probably true: Upper math classes are damn hard because you’re competing with really smart people.</p>

6

<p>On a somewhat similar topic–is it worth taking the intro Econ class at Amherst after having taken AP Econ in high school?</p>

7

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<p>My D is NOT a math type person but took calculus for med school pre-req and got an A- (had AP calc AB in highschool.) OP, I would listen to your parents and take it. With the open curriculum allowing you so many options, why not take it even if you consider it a refresher course?</p>

8

<p>Well, as you say, there are so many options–so, for every option one picks, one turns down countless others.</p>

<p>And, there are only so many opportunities one has at the college, and all that jazz.</p>

9

<p>Would it really destroy my GPA? I looked at the Math 11 and Math 12 finals on the Amherst math website from past years and they looked rather easy except for a few problems… I just want to ensure myself that I will have enough opportunity to take as many advanced electives like topology and differential geometry for grad school admissions.</p>