<p>Hello, I am another MMSS hopeful and am very interested in economics. I've heard a lot about MMSS and its rigorous training in the quantitative aspects of economics. I am also very interested in attending graduate school in economics. Knowing that grad school is extremely demanding on the quantitative, formal proofs, model-building/analysis side of economics, I was wondering how MMSS stacks up alongside other reputable economics programs in terms of: 1. graduate school preparation AND 2. graduate school admission.</p>
<p>When I refer to other reputable economics programs I mean (namely a few I applied to): UPenn CAS, Duke, Cornell (Arts and Sciences), UChicago, UC Berkeley, and maybe even Vanderbilt.</p>
<p>What makes MMSS unique in terms of its curriculum? I have yet to grasp what the MMSS program entails in terms of specific classes and the type of training you receive. </p>
<p>Ok, to make my question clearer:
What specifically does MMSS offer that makes it different from Economics programs elsewhere?
How are it's prospects in Economics grad school admissions?</p>
<p>MMSS offers one of the most mathematically oriented economics curriculums in the country (if you chose to combine it with economics). It has a reputation for creating quantitatively strong social science majors. It will - for example - take the intermediate microeconomics courses taught at other schools and NU and move through it twice as fast with a greater amount of math and a greater emphasis on discovery of solving processes. </p>
<p>Grad schools look very favorably on MMSS, and MMSS GPAs tend to be higher than the average Econ GPA, which classes often curved to a B+ or an A- rather than a B/B- as is common in the rest of the econ department (due to the higher average caliber of the group). You will be putting yourself at an advantage doing MMSS for grad school admissions to economics.</p>
<p>The MMSS at Northwestern is similar to programs offering a joint Math/Econ degree (I did that at my undergrad and doubled with Psych). Econ PhD programs care about your quant background first and foremost, and the MMSS is a great way to get the necessary toolset (modeling, stats/prob theory, real analysis, etc.) to get into a top Econ program.</p>
<p>Wow, thanks for the input. Now, I really want to go to MMSS over other programs.</p>
<p>Now some questions about the admissions process to MMSS.
I read many other CC posts where they claimed that numbers were a BIG factor.
Such as AP Calc BC/AB scores, SAT II Math 2C, SAT (esp. Math componenent), GPA, Math Classes/Grades. Is this true? How would the MMSS application essays be factored into the decision process?</p>
<p>Viviste- I read your post about a month back about how MMSS applications and CAS applications are evaluated separately. But I am a little confused still.</p>
<p>So if the applications are evaluated by different people, do both groups of people have access to my Common App AND MMSS Applications?</p>
<p>Also is the admission process as follows? 1. Weinberg reviews the CAS application. 2. Student is accepted to Weinberg. 3. Students Accepted to Weinberg are forwarded to MMSS Admissions. 4. Only students Accepted to Weinberg are evaluated by MMSS admissions.</p>
<p>If the process is as stated directly above, does that mean that the MMSS application has NO effect whatsoever on admission to Northwestern University? Or is the MMSS application given consideration during the admission process to Northwestern University?</p>
<p>I am under the impression that programs offering the so-called joint math/econ degree are nothing more than taking a few courses in econ department and a few in math department with virtually no intergration. You can even do just that at NU by double-majoring in econ and math or majoring econ with a math minor. </p>
<p>MMSS seems to be much more specificly tailored to integrate math and social sciences.</p>
<p>I agree Sam Lee.
The MMSS program has math classes covering traditional material like Linear Algebra, Vector Calculus, and such. BUT, to my knowledge, the math courses MMSS offers focuses greatly on the application of such math principles in the social sciences.</p>
<p>Like Sam said, you are only considered for admission if you’re admitted to Northwestern. Northwestern doesn’t officially look at your MMSS application (though I suspect they may look at it as an indicator of interest), and MMSS doesn’t look extensively at your Northwestern application.</p>
<p>If you really care to understand this, the following should help. The thought process is similar to this: on the part of MMSS, they receive all applications (from the entire applicant pool - not just the accepted applicant pool), and they allow Northwestern admissions to do the hard task of choosing “well-rounded” individuals for the student body, and so MMSS is left with the simpler task of trying to pick out the most quantitatively gifted students. The focus for them therefore becomes numbers based (AP scores, SAT II scores, ACT scores, etc) to best determine quantitative ability. They choose those students they want, then NU sends over the list of who made the cut, and MMSS cross-references, cuts down if necessary, and sends out acceptances of their own.</p>
<p>Sam Lee - Wow. Yeah you were right when you said in other posts that MMSS has some solid alumni networks/recruiters.</p>
<p>Viviste - Thank you for the reply. I think I have a much better feel on this whole MMSS/Weinberg admissions process now. Thanks.</p>
<p>I will definitely attend Northwestern and MMSS if accepted to both. After looking at the MMSS websites, your posts, some Senior Theses, and other resources, I think no program is better for me than MMSS. Hope to join you guys as Wildcats next year!</p>
<p>Even though I didn’t indicate that I wanted to apply to MMSS on my Northwestern application can I still apply to the program before the March 1 deadline?</p>
<p>Viviste – with the popularity of MMSS, how are standardized test scores a sufficient limiting criteria? I would imagine that quite a large number of those admitted to Northwestern would have 5/800/36/etc.</p>
<p>basilisk - You should be fine, but it’s always a good idea to email the program at <a href=“mailto:mmss@northwestern.edu”>mmss@northwestern.edu</a> to confirm.</p>
<p>quaerens - Good question. Make sure your essays are good.</p>
<p>BeastMode23 - I don’t like speaking to admissions chances, however the fact that you are currently talking AP Calc BC will likely be taken into consideration, particularly in combination with your 800. Is there any reason you wouldn’t want to take the SAT II Math 2?</p>
<p>quaerens - yeah I was wondering about that too.
But other than AB/BC/Stats AP scores, I heard they consider if you took some advanced math classes like Linear Algebra or Multivariable Calc.
Anyhow, essays seem to be the determining factor ceteris paribus. ahhh… can’t wait till decisions come out.</p>
<p>Also Math 2 C and SAT Math, although they involve math, probably doesn’t reflect your success in the program as much as Calc and Stats (and your grades in the respective classes). Beastmode, I wouldn’t worry too much because as long as your application makes the cut for Northwestern’s “Well rounded” student, you will probably make the cut for MMSS Given that your grades in math/AP scores are fine and you took challenging math courses. Essays, I dunno much about their weight in the app.</p>
<p>Just a warning… At least in my dorm, MMSS majors seem to spend ALL their time studying. Skipping intro to micro + the whole calculus sequence and jumping into game theory + linear algebra freshman year? I got accepted into MMSS but decided not to do it. I’m a poly sci major now and doing just fine.</p>
<p>Since we’re using anecdotal evidence, I do a vastly lesser amount of work than the McCormick students sitting next to me right now. </p>
<p>MMSS is fast paced, yes, and there’s a lot of material, but in terms of homework or graded assignments, there’s very little. It’s mastering the material, and your mileage will obviously vary for that.</p>
<p>Yeah, I checked the course schedule for mmss and it does seem fast paced.
However, if I have a pretty strong background in Calc from high school, will I do ok?
(I took BC junior year and am taking multivariable.)</p>
<p>Also, what math classes will those combining the math and economics major along with MMSS usually take during Freshman and Sophomore year?</p>
<p>I’m also thinking of combining Comp Sci with Econ. Is this possible as well?</p>
<p>Lienad: Yes, Calc BC + Multivariable will give you very solid footing for your first year of MMSS. Your math classes your freshmen year will be 1.5 quarters of Linear Algebra, .5 quarters of diff eq, and 1 quarter of multivariable. Your second year will shift from a focus on math to a focus on probability and statistics, with a (surprise) Probability and Statistics course for 1 quarter and 2 quarters of Econometrics.</p>
<p>Likely, yes. A minor should be easily possible, a third major of comp sci might be more difficult, but possible. Email <a href=“mailto:mmss@northwestern.edu”>mmss@northwestern.edu</a> to find out for certain.</p>