I’ve really only heard horrible things about Tulane’s math department. I’d like to major in Statistics, but that is not offered there. What are my options if I’d like to go to Tulane and would like to major in math? I’m thinking of double majoring in math and then something like finance, but I’m not 100% sure yet.
Is the math department really that bad at Tulane…? What kind of jobs will it set me up for? Can I turn it into more of a statistics curriculum? Thanks!
I can only respond to the question about the quality of our math department. Unfortunately, our math department isn’t super hot. Most of the professors are standoffish and don’t understand how to “dumb down” (for lack of a better term) certain concepts. All of the professors in the math department are absolute geniuses. They are all off of the chart brilliant, but because of their intelligence they’re not able to understand why their students don’t just “get it” like they do.
I’ve heard taking classes taught by the graduate students is a lot better because they’re able to explain concepts in a way that is easier for students to comprehend. However, classes aren’t always taught by grad students. To be brutally honest, if your heart is completely set on being a math major, then you may want to look elsewhere. Keep in mind though that Tulane has a very unique setup in that when you’re accepted to Tulane, you’re accepted into ALL of their undergraduate schools. So, if you end up changing your mind about math, then you can easily switch your major to something in the business school or even in the liberal arts school. Most universities would make you apply to switch departments, but with Tulane all it takes is a visit to your academic advisor and a click in the computer system. So in relation to majors, it’s super easy to change at Tulane and ensure that you are able to explore your passions. To be honest, I came to Tulane fully convinced that I was going to be a cell bio major, but I have changed my mind three times and it’s only been 1 semester.
College has a way of changing you (in a good way!) so keep that in mind. Maybe once you get to college you’ll decide that math isn’t really the path for you. And if you do decide that, Tulane will be one of the most accommodating schools and will try their hardest to make sure that you discover your calling.
I can only say two things about this, @TheMosby. No, three actually. First, what @Bananabelle96 describes is pretty much what I hear from students at all top research schools when it comes to math departments. So this seems to be reasonably common for whatever reason. Although I will say that my D’s housemate her last 3 semesters was a math major and he really enjoyed most of the profs, but perhaps he also was able to understand the material more on his own, I don’t know. He struck me as quite the bright sort.
Second, and she doesn’t mention this but again I hear this about every school almost, is that a lot of the profs and grad students are hard to understand. I have heard that about a couple of the profs at Tulane math, and I think that actually might be more at the root of what you are hearing. It is a tough issue for all schools because most of the top talent seems to be foreign born, and losing their accent isn’t a real priority for most of these people, whose very job means thinking more than talking. It is easy to sit here and say “Well, they should all try harder because they have to teach” but when you look at the entire context that at first they have to prioritize getting their Ph.D. (which while most often is done in this country, it isn’t always). Then they have to focus on getting tenure, which means publishing. So while I don’t want to dwell on this, my point is I don’t think Tulane is any different than HYPS, Chicago, Duke, Vandy, etc. in this regard. I know the complaints from the west coast schools are deafening sometimes. This is what I hear, anyway. There was a little of this when I was in school, but far far less.
Third, I have to say the chairman of the department has always seemed responsive and accommodating to undergrads, and a nice person. Not sure how much that helps, but it is something to consider.
I can’t remember if you said you have already been to Tulane or are planning on going, but if you are going to be there don’t be shy about trying to meet with a couple of the profs, maybe even have lunch. And if that were to happen, don’t be afraid to raise some of these issues, in a diplomatic way of course. Because my contention when it comes to almost any major at the undergrad level is that most schools will have extremely competent instruction and plentiful course options so that the student is as well prepared academically coming out of one school as another, at least within the top 100 or so schools on the USNWR list. After all, differential equations is pretty much differential equations, and it is not unlikely that you would use the same book at Harvard or Yale or Stanford as at Tulane. You get the idea. I think the real differences lie elsewhere, and depend on how you and the school fit each other overall.
My D went to Tulane as a math major and ended up transferring after her sophomore year. She didn’t feel like their math dept was strong enough and didn’t offer what she was looking for. However, you mentioned statistics - do you know that Tulane offers a 4+1 Masters in Statistics program? In 5 years, you can get a bachelors in math and a masters in statistics. I believe you get a discounted tuition for the 5th year as well. Something you might want to look into.