<p>it is technically possible for me to finish bs in math in two years with most standart first year grad subjects in pure math because i have lots of credits from high school. i don't really have an interest in cs or physics like most of math majors. i may have good scores from putnam. is it possible to be accepted to grad school in pure math this way, especially to harvard or mit?</p>
<p>oooo........</p>
<p>I don't know man. I mean I think a lot of people can graduate in 2 years in math but they choose to stay longer to get more contact w/ faculty and really get some significant research done before grad school. Without those 2 things you could be really awesome but no one would know it.</p>
<p>I think you would have a stronger grad school app if you were to do math for 4 years but take lots of grad courses. Also, don't simply dismiss physics/cs/other fields before you try them out! Take a course here or there in other close by field or even way out there fields. </p>
<p>Also theoretical math grad school is ridiculously hard to get into. Unless you are a real mathematical prodigy, I have a hard time seeing you blast in to research with only 4 semesters of math under your belt.</p>
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I think you would have a stronger grad school app if you were to do math for 4 years but take lots of grad courses.
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<p>Yep. Finishing college early is overrated (except from a financial perspective, which varies by family and school).</p>
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Also theoretical math grad school is ridiculously hard to get into.
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<p>I've heard this as well.</p>
<p>pointless, if you'll be a top scorer on the putnam and do real solid research, getting in is probably feasible, but you're better off just taking more classes and doing phd level interaction with professors while enjoying undergrad.</p>
<p>Putnam won't enhance your application at all. You have 0% chance of getting into Harvard or MIT grad school if you graduate after 2 years. Even 3 years is pushing it by a lot. Harvard accepts about 10 people a year, MIT about 16. You will be competing against the best students in the U.S. and abroad for those spots.</p>
<p>I have understood that if you made Putnam Fellow then you are automatically admitted to harvard grad school of math with scholarship... Or am I wrong?</p>
<p>^^You are correct. phuruiki is wrong. Putnam is an extremely respected contest.</p>
<p>But I wouldn't advise finishing in two years. People who win the Putnam probably could pull it off, but it would be pointless. One guy I knew who won the Putnam got a Bachelor's and a Masters in math in 4 years. That would be a better idea.</p>