MMSS: Your Questions Answered

Colleges and Universities A-Z Northwestern University
1

Hey all,

Northwestern senior here-- don’t go on this site as much as I used to. I used to find this forum a good way to destress about applying to NU, happened to stumble across it again today as a college senior, and wanted to take a little time to give back.

I’m in the Mathematical Methods in the Social Sciences honors program in Weinberg. We’re a cool cross-disciplinary major that basically takes the best of Northwestern’s Math and Econ departments, teaches you an overwhelming amount of advanced statistics, and has you throw that knowledge at whatever you’re most interested with in a capstone thesis your senior year. If anyone is considering applying to the program, figured I’d be happy to answer any specific questions on what it’s like. Also happy to answer some general NU questions, though probably won’t respond to any “Chance Me” comments or stuff like that. Also forgive me if I’m slow in answering-- as I said, I don’t go on this site much anymore, but I’ll get to everyone that asks a question eventually.

Good luck to all that are applying, and Go 'Cats!

1 Like
2

I’m looking to apply to MMSS! I’m just kinda confused about how majors work if you’re an MMSS student. Like does it count as a major? It’s not listed on the common app (maybe cuz you have to apply?). How does it work if you want to major in something else as well?

3

hi 8) how do you think MMSS affected your exit opportunities in terms of employment? do you think it’s more helpful than a pure econ degree?

4

@britdarrow it’s an adjunct major, so you’ll have to choose another major to pair with MMSS. both appear on your transcript.

5

hi i have a few questions –

  1. i’m looking to get a phd in economics and saw that it’s recommended i take a lot of theoretical math (algebra, analysis, pde, stats, etc.) and didn’t see those on the MMSS cousework - i was wondering if the program covered those just under different names
  2. i was interested in the 4 year ba/ma economics program and was curious as to if the MMSS program could be completed in three year
  3. i don’t know if you know this one, but if i’ve taken multi/linear/ede at community college, will those classes carry over / can they be used to fill the first year of mmss math (e.g. could i start at analysis)
  4. i understand that mmss is very useful as a program to find a job, but do you know if it’s particularly useful for academia or would a math major with a lot of menu classes be more helpful?
    thanks :smiley:
6

To @britdarrow:

Yes as @MMSS2020 mentioned, MMSS is part of a double major, so you have to pick another major to go with it. Usually people pick a social science as their double major (that’s the expected path), but recently the new head of the program Prof Ely has been letting people have their second major outside of the social sciences, as long as you can articulate a valid connection on how you can apply MMSS to that field (particularly if you wish to do something related to your second major for your thesis).

You apply to MMSS separately-- it’s a separate admission decision (the app can be found on the MMSS website). MMSS takes both incoming freshman and rising Sophomores. The consensus seems to be it’s significantly easier to get in as a incoming freshman if you want to be in the program. Otherwise you need basically good freshman grades in Math’s department MENU sequence to get in as a Sophomore.

7

@MMSS2020:

MMSS is definitely has more utility for employment than an econ degree for some job tracks. Particularly around Chicago, MMSS students are more targeted for consulting and banking jobs-- particularly through Northwestern’s recruitment-- if that’s what you want to do. MMSS is effectively an honors econ program, so if that’s the kind of job you’re going after (and in particular if you’re looking for a job around Chicago) it’s great for that.

That being said if you’re like me and not interested in the tradition econ jobs, it’s a little less directly relevant.

8

@lacancap:

  1. The Probability and Econometric sequence you take in year two of the program is the main sequence you take through the program. If your looking for more Math after MMSS, many students take the MENU Real-Analysis or Abstract Algebra sequences either while in MMSS or after (usually after).

  2. MMSS’s main coursework only takes 2 years two complete. Most people take MMSS over three years-- taking the main coursework Fresh/Soph or Soph/Junior year (depending on year of entry) and do the thesis their senior year. If you need to, you can do the Thesis the same year your second year coursework, although it’s really difficult.

  3. Some people do get exemptions for the MATH 290 sequence. I think you take a placement test if you wish to apply for one, to test how well you learned the material from wherever you learned it. Besides that, usually no other place outs.

  4. As I said above to MMSS2020, the main job boost from MMSS is in Investment Banking or Consulting careers. That being said, the MMSS coursework is still useful. Many people in MMSS get Math Minors or Majors. If you want to go into academia for Math, you still probably want to take the advanced MENU classes and get the Math minor/major, but MMSS is still a good supplement to that. Depends what skills you want to build, how you want to advertise yourself.