<p>I'm happy to help out with any concerns...I'm a freshman MMSS/Econ major for those who have questions in those areas. But feel free to ask about whatever; I'm slightly bored.</p>
<p>Hi</p>
<p>I was wondering if you know anything about NU paying for the airline expenses and registration fees for Preview NU for admitted students. I was viewing my decisions page online yesterday and it said that it could...in bold letters. Now, they took it off the decisions page and I can't find anything about it...do you know anything about this?</p>
<p>I'm not too familiar with this..I attended PreviewNU last year, but being from nearby the transportation wasn't an issue. I checked the admitted students website, and all it said was how to register for it. Sorry I couldn't be more help--my understanding is that they're pretty good about it though.</p>
<p>MMSS is my dream! How hard was it to get in to the program?</p>
<p>Well, it certainly is becoming more competitive as more people find about it..this year they expanded the program. Now, 30 freshmen and 30 sophomores enter each year (as opposed to 20 and 20). I know that the average SAT math score is about 760, verbal 700. </p>
<p>It is also competitive to enter as a sophomore, as many econ majors look to enter. I don't really know how to quantify this...but I'd say that if you're through calculus and spend a decent time thinking through the essays and making a strong case, you'll have a decent chance. What year are you? Have they announced the MMSS acceptances for this year yet?</p>
<p>I got notification today, so this year's acceptances are out.</p>
<p>I'm going to take advantage of your friendliness and spew questions at you:</p>
<p>What are the classes like? Are they focused on lecture? discussion? problem sets? Long-term projects?</p>
<p>How are the professors? Are they good teachers? Are they accessible?</p>
<p>What's the relationship like between the MMSS participants? Do you guys 'bond' because you take so many classes together?</p>
<p>What sort of effect do you think increasing the program size to 60 will have?</p>
<p>Most importantly, is there a less awkward way to say MMSS?</p>
<p>Thanks for offering to answer questions. Please don't develop carpal tunnel trying to answer all of mine.</p>
<p>Catfish - Haha, not a problem...hope these are helpful:</p>
<p>1) The classes are varied in general, but I'm assuming you're asking about MMSS classes. Out of all my classes, I have had one lecture of 100+ (Intro to US Gov't), many in the 40-60 range (MMSS, which will soon be split into two sections of 25-30), and some below 20 (second-year language). The nature and size of the class determines what it is like...however, the discussion sections have been meaningless so far, so I suppose the classes are lecture-based. This is especially true in MMSS. For MMSS, there is a weekly problem set in each class, but the lectures drive the direction of the course (and ultimately the exam material, in most cases). The problem set can mean as few as 3-5 problems, but they always take time to crack. The math class is about 12 problems per week turned in, plus a weekly quiz. Neither sounds like a lot, but MMSS is generally a lot more work than the standard curriculum, especially during freshman year. But there is no question that it's worth it (for me and most people, at least). I think that once they split into two sections of 25-30, it will become even better.</p>
<p>2) I'm going to answer these in reverse order...yes, all MMSS teachers I've had are excellent about being accessible. Each social science teacher has been good about having enough office hours and working to create an appointment if there is a conflict. You have the same MATH 285 teacher throughout the year; for us, he has been extremely accessible. The "good teachers" question is more difficult...the short answer is yes. MMSS recruits good profs from Kellogg and the Econ department, so in general they are of good quality. With that being said, there was one professor that didn't really work for me, and the 285 CTECs are atrocious. Different people obviously have different reactions, but the program is good about rotating in professors who are both accomplished and well-liked by students.</p>
<p>3) When I started, I assumed that MMSSers would be cutthroat, extremely competitive, etc. In reality it is the exact opposite. Everyone cooperates well, and your initial class of 30 freshmen will act as your support system as you handle the increased workload in addition to all the normal stresses of adjusting to college. Not to say that you automatically become friends with everyone...but it's great to have a group of people that are going through the same things you are. Also, all the freshman MMSSers are in the same Peer Advising group, so you get an extra week before school to settle in and meet eachother without the stresses of school. The bond between participants is one of MMSS's most underrated and unknown qualities.</p>
<p>4) This year it hasn't been ideal, because 60 people in a class is too much to really optimize what MMSS is trying to do. My understanding, however, is that there will soon be sections of 30 for all classes. So I only think it will mean more name recognition (and therefore more recruiting) and revert to having an appropriate number of people in a class.</p>
<p>(not to say that the classes haven't been great so far...but having them half as large would just make it that much better)</p>
<p>5) Unfortunately, the name is a little cumbersome. In a week you get used to saying it and it just rolls off the tongue though...and after all, saying "MMSS" every time is better than "Program in Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences."</p>
<p>Thanks. I kind of figured there wouldn't be much discussion. I'm not sure how you could have a discussion about linear algebra outside of asking for further explanation. A couple follow-up questions:</p>
<p>I had heard about the classes being split into sections. Is this going to happen by 07-08 or will I have to wait till my sophomore year in 08-09?</p>
<p>What's a CTEC?</p>
<p>Also, I'm going to be visiting next Wed/Thurs. What MMSS classes are going on those two days?</p>
<p>I'm not positive--it was "imminent" when we arrived, and it hasn't happened yet. Wish I could tell you.</p>
<p>Sorry about not explaining this better, a CTEC is the evaluation thing for classes (I'm not sure what it actually stands for). They're tremendously useful for picking out good professors and courses.</p>
<p>The social science class meets Wednesday 9:30 - 11 in Annenberg G-21; math meets Wednesday 11 - 11:50 in Lunt 104. Neither meets on Thursday. I would recommend the social science class, but we're not very far along yet. Hopefully by the time you visit we will be--let me know if you need help finding these or anything.</p>
<p>Darn it. I'm coming up Wednesday afternoon, so I'll miss those classes. The email says that the MMSS office is open 9:30-3:00 throughout the week, so I think I'll stop in Thursday. Maybe I'll be able to wring a more definite timetable than "imminent" out of them.</p>
<p>By '285 CTECs' I assume you mean the evaluations of MMSS 285? or Math 285?</p>
<p>CTEC stands for course/teacher evaluation council, I think. They're uber helpful for picking out classes.</p>
<p>How's the weather? Is it really as bad as everyone says it is? What are some ways you make it more bearable? I'll be visiting in a few days, so maybe you can give me a few tips on how to dress/keep myself warm.</p>
<p>The Chicago weather is known for being rough in the winter with nice springs and falls, but millions of people live there and love it despite! I have family members who went to college in cold weather climates and all have said that their college memories do not include "weather." </p>
<p>It's not like being in CA, but it's not like being in Syracuse, NY either. I think the wind chill is nasty off of the lake, but you are talking one season.</p>
<p>Dress in layers. Bring a jacket, a hat, gloves, wear a turtleneck and long underwear. Have warm socks, boots. Maybe you will hit it when the sun is shining and the flowers are starting to bloom. I was there on a glorious October weekend and it was like 75*, incredibly nice - and totally deceiving. haha. </p>
<p>Don't let the weather make the decision for you unless you will really be unhappy being cold for the winter term.</p>
<p>Catfish - Too bad about the classes..yes, sorry again, I was referring to the evaluation for the math class (MATH is 285; MMSS classes are 211 in the first year). (just for the record, I don't remember if "imminent" was the exact word they used, but something to that effect :) ) Maybe a 300-level econ class would be good to sit in on, but even that is a lot different than the MMSS classes.</p>
<p>Also, I should mention that MATH 285 is currently around 30 students, rather than 60. Many people who join MMSS as sophomores have taken first-year MENU or comparable courses, and jump straight into the 385 sequence (statistics and econometrics, I think) while taking the first-year social science courses.</p>
<p>HsiaoChi - This was my first winter up here, but so far I actually enjoyed the cold weather. The lake always majestic, and especially so after it snows in my opinion. But since most people complain about the weather, I suppose that there is some truth to the general sentiment. As far as coping, many people get cabin fever because they don't want to go outside. I started going to SPAC (nearby gym) more during winter quarter and lost 10 pounds. I continued my involvement with student groups to keep my busy. Some people had extremely hectic/active winter quarters due to rushing and pledging a frat or sorority. In general, my best advice is to keep busy and appreciate the beauty of the campus during the cold months. I do not know how this winter compares historically to a "typical" NU winter. </p>
<p>wintersilk's comments were accurate; layers are crucial. If you are properly equipped wardrobe-wise, winter quarter (and certainly your visit in a few days) should be no trouble whatsoever :)</p>
<p>Thanks for the response :-D</p>
<p>What other schools did you choose NU MMSS over and why?</p>
<p>1)is premed at NU overly competitive?
2) If you aren't a good writer, will you suffer at NU?</p>
<p>Catfish,</p>
<p>fyi:</p>
<p>
[quote]
Northwestern’s Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences Program (MMSS) provides excellent preparation for the Kellogg certificate program in Financial Economics. Students completing the two-year sequence of required courses in the MMSS program automatically satisfy all the prerequisites for the Kellogg certificate program
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Kinda off topic but not really, what math did you go up through in Highschool?</p>
<p>"Also, I'm going to be visiting next Wed/Thurs. What MMSS classes are going on those two days?"</p>
<p>Go to 386-2 Econometrics, Wed, 2-3:30, Annenberg G21. If you cannot stand through more than 10 minutes of it consider dropping the program. If you can -- welcome to MMSS.</p>