<p>I have been lurking on cc for some time now, and I am the mom of a kid who may turn out to be quite the math student. (He is currently a 9th-grader and has already taken the AIME once though did not get to USAMO this year; he does all the usual contests, fancy courses, etc.)</p>
<p>My son also has varied interests, ECs, good other academics, good scores (so far), etc.</p>
<p>One of the schools I had thought might be good is Wash U, because I hear so many great things about it, and they have some pretty neat opportunities for merit aid in math/science. However, I occasionally read things here dissing the math department.</p>
<p>Can anyone shed any light on the matter?</p>
<p>My son may well get into MIT or places like that, but they don't give merit aid, and also, I have heard such wonderful things about the kind of people at Wash U, that it seems like a great place.</p>
<p>I just want to begin by saying that washu math isn’t bad, per se. One could go to washu and major in math and go on to have a successful career.</p>
<p>That being said, it is my opinion that if one wishes to go to college for the express purpose of advancing one’s math prowess as much as possible, then there are better universities than washu.</p>
<p>I only say this, because, in my experience, the classes tend to be less rigorous, and the professors tend to be a bit less on top of things than in other departments at the university. Others, such as marcdvl, don’t necessarily agree that this is more true for the math department than any other department.</p>
<p>I am a math/bio double major, so obviously I believe that math at washu is not a complete waste of time; I believe any weaknesses are offset by the other opportunities afforded by washu.</p>
<p>Can you be more specific, please, about the other opportunities? Could my son not get into good math grad programs, for instance, if he majored in math at Wash U? What I know to be great about Wash U already would include: excellent Hillel, pleasant atmosphere, kind people who really care for one another, gorgeous living facilities, lots of opportunities for interesting extra-curriculars. I think maybe that doesn’t sound specifically good enough, so I’m not explaining well, but basically, “lifestyle”. Which shouldn’t outweigh academics, I know.</p>
<p>The other biggies: Wash U is (1) the best school that gives substantial merit aid and (2) moving only upward in national recognition/quality</p>
<p>Well, by other opportunities, I am referring to the biology program and research opportunities, as well as location. One can definitely get into good grad level math programs if they attend washu for undergraduate. It is still good education, I just don’t believe it to be the elite of the elite. “Lifestyle” certainly is important - you’ll be spending 4 years there, so you better be happy there.</p>
<p>For what it’s worth, I know a few math majors who just graduated (or were 2012) and they’re all going to/ are already at excellent grad schools (MIT, UCLA, & Northwestern to name a few, if I’m remembering right).</p>
<p>So a WashU math major certainly has every opportunity for a great grad program.</p>
<p>My child got into a few “places like that” but chose WashU, and I can tell you, if you count on merit aid at WashU, you need to have a backup plan. As to math, I have the impression that WashU doesn’t have a lot of hardcore math students. Rather, they have many second majors in math. You should send an email to Dr. Freiwald over at the math dept if you have concerns about admitting to grad schools and what not.</p>
<p>I’m the parent of a WashU math major, who will be applying to grad school. My child has been very happy with the math program, both with classes and opportunities for research. There is a group of kids who are very into math and participate in the Putnam competition, etc. And the other aspects of the school–people, administration, dorms, food–are pretty amazing.</p>
<p>:) This is sort of exactly what I’d hoped to read, that and the answer about the other kids who are getting into great grad schools. Thanks!</p>
<p>Re. merit aid @jvtDad, obviously it’s a gamble, but it’s possibly within reach for the kind of kid who gets into MIT, not that the latter is a done deal for any given kid, either.</p>
<p>I agree with jvtDad. My son was accepted at a few “places like that” as well and if you are counting on merit aid from Wash U, you need to have a “Plan B” as in B=Bank(the money is in the bank) or B=Borrow (you can borrow the money). </p>
<p>The good news is that your son is only in the 9th grade. You really have a couple of good years to still save money toward his college education.</p>
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