MMSS Program: Should I take the offer or not

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

Hello,

so yes, I got accepted ED to Northwestern. I am going to major in Econ (although this might change in the future).
I applied to MMSS program at Northwestern and I got accepted. I was interested to be part of this program at first, but now I am just not sure of myself.
I don’t LOVe Math but I don’t necessarily hate math either. However, I’m not exceptionally a math genius. I got 800 for My SAT & SAT II Math, 5 on AP calc AB and currently not failing in AP Calc BC. But I don’t really believe that these scores really measures my mathematical ability.

From what I know, classes at Northwestern are very quick paced due to the quarter system. I heard that MMSS has fastER pace, due to the higher caliber of the class.

I was so naive, thinking that after high school, I would not have to worry about my GPA anymore and really dive in to the art of LEARNING. But well, it turns out, I was so stupidly naive. For grad school, it seems as if college GPA really matters a lot. I am afraid if I take this MMSS, I won’t be able to successfully absorb the material in the program (since it’s really fast-paced and advanced and all…) and fail to get good GPAs.

But another part of me thinks that I should not let go of this chance to be part of a very prestigious and interesting program (or else I will regret).

In long term, I know taking the MMSS program will be very helpful for me. However, my real questions are: “Will I be able to survive in this program? Which would be more beneficial for me? Not taking MMSS and have higher chance of getting good GPA, or taking MMSS and aim for all the benefits that comes from its prestige?”

Ugh, what should I do? Should I take the offer? I hate when I have to make choices… and plus, I am not exactly a person with lots of confidence. I doubt myself a lot (sometimes this helps though). I don’t know if I will be able to do well (And get good GPA) in MMSS. I need to give the reply by March 1st and I am stuck.

Wow now I sound like a really obnoxious incoming freshman who is unnecessarily worried about everything. Anyways, I would really appreciate any advice from you, if you are reading this.
Thank you.

2

I think how you are doing in BC is some indication. I would hope that program has good support. Ut sounds like a very useful program.

For most PhD programs, they will focus more on your last 60 credits, or you major credits and your research experience. So a good gpa is important but it doesn’t have to be as high as you may think or as high as med school, for instance. But econ grad school is pretty competitive I think.

3

Hi! I also got into MMSS after ED, and I think I could comment on your situation because it sounds so much like mine.

Firstly, there is the fact that MMSS is in and of itself a big grad school bonus. I have a definite intention of attending grad school, and I researched that harder programs are acknowledged for their difficulty when applying. It is for that reason that ridiculously rigorous colleges like Caltech or Harvey Mudd or Chicago or NU tend to have very high admissions rates even though less people get As, comparable to similarly renowned schools with less grade rigor (same thing that happens in high schools).
MMSS is rather well known, too, especially among grad schools and banks, and goes a long way compared to standard programs. Its the equivalent of a ‘hook’ in undergrad admissions.
If you did a bit worse, even half a letter grade worse (a full letter grade in the half that are MMSS classes) you might find it still find it helps you rather than hurts you.

Secondly, don’t look down on yourself so much. As you are one of those students with a 34.5 average ACT (don’t know SAT too well, but it sounds like you’re more than equivalent) you’re probably smart enough to succeed if you work hard. Even if it proves too hard, its very unrealistic to assume you’ll crash and burn, you’d just make a calm decision with a slightly lower GPA than you’d love next January.

Then there is the fact that this is NU. Part of what I love about NU is how incredibly flexible it is. You could, if you wanted, be a chemical engineering major next January, even after entering WCAS as an economics major. There really isnt too much harm in giving it a try your first quarter. If you dont like it, just switch out after a quarter, and it won’t be a big deal. The lower GPA you fear would at worst realistically be 0.5 lower, a mere one quarter out of the twelve into your schooling, with plenty of time to easily fix it in the standard classes.

You would definitely regret it if you didn’t take it. That regret would still be there as a Junior in standard econ. If you regretted taking it, that would go away after 10 weeks that would be a small bummer. If you actually like econ and are excited to study it, you should take MMSS; there isnt any program like it in the world and you’ll probably love the experience.

4

If you really really struggle, you can always drop after being in it. But almost no one does that :slight_smile: Don’t worry too much and go for it!

5

You should do what you love; If you like the math and overall courses of the program, than you’ll enjoy and you should do it. If you think your going to change your mind later and struggle and want to ultimately do something else then you shouldn’t commit at this time as it’s a very big four year commitment that takes up 1 of your 2 majors and there’s a waiting list of other kids that really want to do it. None of here can really say for you what the best choice is for you; your best bet is comparing what areas of study you like to study and gauging from there what you really want. Good luck deciding!

6

@Heisenbergyk, it’s not a 4 year commitment. You can finish all 14 (of 45 quarter courses) in 3 years and you can drop out of the program any time just by not signing up for the classes.

7

You wouldn’t have been accepted if they didn’t think you could do it.

8

@PurpleTitan I realize there’s only 14 (which is a 1/3 of all your college classes), but with the required senior thesis it is a four-year commitment, even if you decide to finish all your main classes by Junior year. If you decide not to do the senior thesis after all that work, and with how much each individual class costs when looking at your tuition (several thousand dollars each), you don’t want to think so casually about what to do with a 1/3 of your college education.

9

@Heisenbergyk: ??? It’s a second major. In that sense, no, you shouldn’t be “casual” about it, but presumably someone applies for it because they are interested. And you don’t have to take classes junior year. It’s still no more of a commitment than any other major.

To the OP: hardly anyone ever drops MMSS (unlike, for instance, ISP, which half the kids entering that program drop), so I don’t think you have to worry about surviving it. I think you’re just psyching yourself out for no reason.

@Pizzagirl can provide more color as she went through it.

10

Thank you everyone for your advice!

11

I was one of the first batches of MMSS grads (mid 80s) and I loved the program, but am hesitant to give advice today, as the program seems far more pre-professional than it was in my day. I did it with an Econ co-major. They wouldn’t let you in if you couldn’t handle it! It’s really up to you.

12

Thank you everyone for your advices!

13

One thing to think about: I also looked into the MMSS program (also an econ major for next year woot) and ended up not applying because I don’t LOVE math super well. Math is pretty fun but I am not super passionate about. Anyways, you can apply as a freshman for your sophomore year (so basically you are not screwed if you don’t accept now). Maybe, if you are still unsure, take some hard math classes first quarter (see if you like them and do well), then apply for MMSS soph year

14

MMSS is one of the most respected programs at NU among both employers and graduate schools and certainly makes you stand out among other students. I would definitely recommend doing it; it will be challenging but worth it!

15

The advisor for the MMSS program, I’ve heard, is astounding. You’ll be in good hands.

16

About liking/loving math: In high school, I liked math. Then, I got to NU and took the multivariable calc classes, and realized how cool math can be. That realization was probably brought about by finally being truly challenged in class. Now I love math.

If one of the major factors in your decision is how much you care about math, I say give the program a shot. You can always switch to regular math if you don’t like it.

17

I got accepted to MMSS post ED and didn’t accept the MMSS invitation. I’m glad I didn’t. The real big positive from MMSS is that by doing MMSS you have already fulfilled the prerequisites for the Kellogg Certificate. That is the #1 part of it. Many people drop out every year. MMSS is pretty valuable with people who know a lot about Northwestern (Some Chicago based places basically), but someone looking at your resume wouldn’t necessarily know it was any harder than being a Math major

18

^Maybe that’s important but it’s not the most important. The quant skills developed in MMSS can be very valuable in many fields. One example is data analytics, which is a pretty good field to get into these days.