<p>My son, a junior, is an extremely strong student, particularly in math and physics. He's taking upper division college courses in both subjects. He's doing graduate level research in physics this summer but will most likely major in math.</p>
<p>He's got some national awards and a high SAT I (2320) with 3 SAT II (800, 800, 730). He's also looking for a school with strong music (he's a violinist but also does worship leading on guitar). He is also 1/2 Puerto Rican.</p>
<p>He's looking at schools like Princeton, Penn, Harvey Mudd, and Vanderbilt among a few others. His financial safety is Univ. of Texas at Dallas because of their great scholarships both academic and chess.</p>
<p>We are a conservative Christian family and I'm exploring all ideas with him.</p>
<p>Could he find strong enough academics at Furman? I see they have some amazing scholarships but he really would need access to high level/graduate level math or physics courses. There's little diversity, as well. We're (his parents) are white but he's used to a very diverse experience being from So. Cal.</p>
<p>Furman’s physics department is well-respected nationally-check out their website. The Townes Science Center is an amazing place as is named for Charles Townes, a Furman professor who was a Nobel Prize winner in physics. The students our S and D know who are physics majors work extremely hard and have plans for doctoral degrees at some incredible schools. I can promise you the academic rigor at Furman is comparable to Davidson, Wake Forest and state flagships like UNC-CH. I know of one individual who spent freshman year at FU and transferred to Vandy as a sophomore. The only B’s I believe she received were at Furman-if that gives you some insight into academic comparison. With his stats, he should definitely compete for the named scholarships. Furman is attracting a fair number of students from California, so he won’t feel totally alone in SC. The majority of the students are Christian-their is a breakdown by religion on the school’s website. While it is primarily a conservative college in many ways, Obama won the students’ own election in 2008. I cannot provide any insight on the Mathematics department, but the Music Department is considered “conservatory level” and is very competitive, from what I know. Good luck-it sounds like your child has a number of opportunities open to him. BTW, if you are going to look in the South, based upon some of his interests,I would also visit Georgia Tech in Atlanta.</p>
<p>In my opinion math at Furman is pretty weak. With those sorts of stats your son probably belongs at an ivy or perhaps a school more like Davidson.</p>
<p>The math department at Furman is actually very strong. They are excellent teachers, who sometimes aren’t that popular with the weaker students because they don’t let you coast by without learning anything. </p>
<p>I know a number of math majors who go on and on about the quality of the professors, the closeness of the majors, and the accomplishments of their graduates.</p>
<p>I would vehemently disagree with that statement. I have had one good and one awful math professor, but I think (of course this is opinion) that the math department professors are the weakest at Furman. I have many friends that are math majors who would back that statement up. If you’re bored some time, go to [Rate</a> My Professors | Find and rate your professor, campus and more - RateMyProfessors.com](<a href=“http://www.ratemyprofessors.com%5DRate”>http://www.ratemyprofessors.com), go to Furman math and just scroll by the professor’s by last name. </p>
<p>I would like to weigh in on the math. Three of my friends are or have been math majors. Two of them love it and say the teachers are great. One of those two is the math scholar for my grade. Another one changed majors because he disliked the teachers that much. It all depends on the student, it seems.</p>
<p>As for research and challenges… I have two friends currently working at Furman over the summer. They were both selected to do research at Furman over the summer. We have a very high ranking for undergraduate research and he could start in right off the bat.</p>
<p>Since he does have a good record, he will probably be in the running for some of the best scholarships. If I remember correctly, the reason one of my friends ended up choosing Furman over some others was because he got a full ride. This could mean that, should he decide to continue into grad school, it will be easier to finance that portion of the trip.</p>
<p>Sorry for reviving a month old thread. Just wanted to get this out there.</p>
<p>FWIW, GMusic is, I believe right on target. Furman has had a number of Goldwater Scholars in the past 5 years-see info. on that on CC. The facility at Townes Science Center is phenomenal and the the undergraduate physics program is very well known for the number of graduates who go on to receive Ph.D’s in Physics.</p>
<p>We just got back from “Fall for Furman” Open House!!!</p>
<p>The Science Building is New and just Wonderful!!! The Classrooms and Labs are Great!!! In some areas of the building I felt as though I was in a Science Museum. Lots of glass to see into classrooms and labs…Students were in some of the labs doing research on a Sat Morning.</p>
<p>An outstanding place to be a Science Major or take Science Courses.</p>
<p>The Science Faculty are Passionate and Students are able to come in as Freshmen and research alongside their professors. We spoke with the Professors from Physics, Chemistry and Environmental Science…in addition to others…The underlying theme with all was the suggetion to come and sit in on classes to experience what they do at Furman.</p>
<p>Overall, we found the Students and faculty to be friendly and the address from the President and Prof. Orourk made us feel we were in the right place for hands on, engaged learning and a place to develop a young person’s mind, body and spirit…Developing not just the intellectual… but the whole person…</p>