<p>I'm undecided about my major, but it will most likely be either math or science. As of now, I'm leaning toward math only because it seems more versatile and I'm already a bit tired of science after taking 3 AP science classes in high school along with 2 summers of science research, but if I hate math, I'll switch into science.</p>
<p>Would Text and Tradition be a bad choice for a science or math major? Also, I want to continue with Spanish and learn Chinese. This probably means if I get writing 1 first semester, a) I can't do one of those and/or b) I can't take any science classes first semester. Is this bad? I'M SO UNDECIDED!</p>
<p>Also, since Text and Tradition has it’s own special section of Writing 1, does this mean that I automatically wouldn’t get it first semester? I can’t imagine them forcing you to take 3 Text and Tradition classes your first semester.</p>
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<p>Most people here absolutely hate the math department. So if you want to go a math-y route, I would heavily suggest trying (at least considering during the shopping period) econ or finance.</p>
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<p>Personally, I wouldn’t suggest taking two languages from the beginning of your freshman year (it basically becomes your schedule and you don’t have time to actually explore), and I think doing the text and tradition program could be a lot of fun–I only took one of the classes in it, but I thought it was great. If you want to continue with spanish, maybe try testing up to being able to take an spanish oral communications class? That may be a bit easier…</p>
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<p>Sorry, I have no idea; you’ll probably need to really read through the website or call.</p>
<p>If you’re likely to be a math major, the math freshmen seminar is supposed to be very rewarding. It’s really the only honors class at Wash U, and will have you in good standing for any future math class.</p>
<p>Text and Tradition can help with cluster requirements, but it’s probably not the most useful subject area to take for math or science. The Text and Tradition section of Writing 1 is only offered 2nd semester (spring). </p>
<p>I wouldn’t call it a bad choice, especially if you’re interested in that kind of stuff. I just wouldn’t call it a great choice for math/sciences people because they’re usually not looking for those types of courses.</p>
<p>As above poster mentioned, two languages a semester is close to impossible, as most are 5 units each. Which would mean you’d be taking 2 more classes maximum a semester up through your third year (or something like that).</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say most people hate the math department. People hate math classes through Calc 3 and Dif Eq because they’re a) large classes b) multiple choice exams c) not what you think of when you think of a math class. After the first year courses, the math program/department really isn’t bad at all. There’s certainly professors to avoid (and perhaps more than your average department), but many professors are great. The department just really gets a bad wrap for first year classes.</p>
<p>I am really passionate about applied math and creative writing. I applied to Washu and NYU
because both have strong offerings in these two programs. NYU is number one in applied math, but Washu is quite strong in engineering and sciences. I am now concerned because of all the negative comments about Washu’s math department. Can someone comment on
the upper level math classes at Washu? I will be starting in linear algebra and abstract algebra. I have already taken vector calculus.</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>The math department is more traditional; there aren’t that many applied math courses (although there are some). You also said you will be starting with linear and abstract algebra, which at Wash U are 400 level classes intended for upper classmen. There is math 309 which is matrix algebra which is more like linear algebra at other colleges. You will likely need to take Calculus of Several Variables (Math 318, the course after Calculus 3), Math 309 (Matrix Algebra), and Math 310 (Foundations for Higher Mathematics, also a prereq for Linear/Modern (Abstract) Algebra ), and Math 3200 (Probability and Statistics first course). Also, unless you’ve taken Calculus 3 at a university/college, you won’t easily get credit for it. I took it in high school as a high school class and wasn’t able to get credit for it.</p>
<p>Then there’s the algebra sequence you seem interested in Math 429 and 430 (Linear/Modern Algebra), the Applied Sequence (Math 449/450 – Numerical Methods with Matlab / Mathematics for Multimedia), at which point you’d likely be done or need one more course for the major.</p>
<p>Again, Wash U isn’t really known for it’s applied math classes…there really aren’t that many. I switched for applied math to statistics track (there are 5 different tracks, all give you a major in math, there is no specific applied math major or statistics major).</p>
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<p>My math-major child at WashU loved this class. It was challenging but very rewarding. It was taught by a terrific professor. And you get to meet other kids who are really into math.</p>
<p>Also, he is quite satisfied with the math department in general.</p>
<p>I took the math freshman seminar and really struggled with the material and pace of the course, despite coming from a very strong math background (took AP BC Calc and scored a 5, and then took IB Higher Level Math and Differential Equations senior year of high school). If you choose the math freshman seminar, take the placement test to make sure you should be in Calc III, and then recognize the commitment you’re making. PM me if you have more questions about it!</p>
<p>The freshman seminar essentially covers two courses (Math 233 and most of Math 318). It’s designed for motivated students that are willing to put in a great deal of work. If you take it, you will have an easier time in all future math classes. I kind of wish I had taken it, but wasn’t even aware of it when I was a freshman.</p>
<p>I’m a math major, and I’m also quite satisfied with the math department.</p>
<p>I also took the freshman seminar in math, and coming as a person who did USAMO in HS, it was still pretty hard material. Only do it if you really would be interested in the deeper theory behind (multivariable) calculus and at least somewhat comfortable with the idea of doing a lot of proofs (you don’t need to already be amazing at math or proofs, but you do need to be interested and put in effort (the workload’s pretty heavy but flexible ie. weekly psets), else you’re not gonna get much out of it other than a decent grade, which is fairly hard not to get btw). It’s not for everyone. Good things: small and personal class environment, group work and friends, graded most on effort imo, and at least the professor my year, was very helpful during office hours.</p>
<p>It looks like I didn’t get any freshman seminars :(. I didn’t put down the math one though. Do you think that maybe, if I email the professor, he’ll let me join the class? I didn’t want to sign up for it because I don’t know how I did on Calc BC yet, but if I get a 5, do you think it’s possible he’ll let me in?</p>
<p>No guarantees, but it wouldn’t hurt.</p>
<p>"Registration Information: The College Office has not yet confirmed exactly how the registration process for 201 will work, but we expect it will be like previous years: the enrollment limit for the course (actually, 15) will be set to “0” in the online registration system. Therefore every student who registers will have to put herself/himself on the “wait-list.” Someone in the College Office will monitor this list periodically and admit students from the wait list when the 5 score on the BC exam is officially received by the College from Educational Testing Services.
If this procedure changes, the new one will be posted here. "</p>
<p>All you do is register like normal if you get the 5, and you’ll be moved from waitlist to in the class. No need to email the professor.</p>
<p>Okay thanks 
I wasn’t sure since it was in the freshman program booklet where you had to register for stuff online like a month ago. It doesn’t seem like I DEFINITELY didn’t get any programs yet though since a lot of people said they still don’t have one and no one has said they’ve gotten either of my top 2 choices.</p>