Should I major in Math/Computer Science?

College Majors Math/Computer Science Majors
1

I’m considering a Computer Science or Math Major, but math is not my most familiar subject and I’m not exactly a natural. However, it really interests me now. But I’m scared of messing up my college GPA because I also want to be Pre-Med. Occupation-wise I’m considering surgery and psychiatry, but I know that my decision is liable to change.

I think part of my difficulty lies in the fact that I’ve never really studied for any of my courses. The only math course I’ve studied for is Calculus. But I still only studied a night or two before tests. I’ve never studied for the SAT either. My math came out to 610 but my CR and Writing are both 760. I’ve gotten A’s in all my other courses, excluding math courses.

My Math History:

7th grade - Algebra I Honors: C
8th grade - Geometry Honors: B
9th grade - Algebra II/Trigonometry: B-
10th grade - Math Analysis: B+
11th grade - AP Calculus AB: A-, AP Statistics: A-
Current/12th grade - AP Calculus BC: A, AP Computer Science A: A

AP Calculus AB Exam: 5
AP Statistics Exam: 4

Old SAT Math Section: 610
SAT Subject Test Math Level I: 660

Since I’m seriously considering a Math-based major, I’m going to be putting some time into studying Calculus and filling in my foundations (Algebra and Geometry). I also plan on studying and taking the Math Level I & II Subject Tests. When I understand something I generally have pretty good retention, so I think I can probably make up for the awful teachers and poor motivation to learn math I’ve had previously. I thought I was just Math-stupid, so I kind of gave up. I’ve only put in minimal effort for Calculus and I’ve done well, so I don’t think I’m dumb anymore. A math major doesn’t seem completely out of my range.

I love Math now because I’m able to make connections between the concepts and the calculations. I also really enjoy the level of abstraction in AP Comp Science. I’m also big on logic/philosophy, so I don’t think I’d mind proofs.

So, should I go for it? I’d be doing my major at Haverford College - that might push up the difficulty level a bit.

2

There’s no need to rush. Take some courses and figure out what you want to do. I will say that if you want to pursue math at a higher level then you will need to accept that past a certain point it stops being easy for anyone. Pretty much everyone becomes “math stupid” at a certain level and its about your motivation at that point.

3

I see what you’re saying. It’s just a mental battle then. I should just worry about understanding what I’m learning rather than if I’m measuring up to a standard. I’ve always been self-motivated with other things, so I’ll just have to bring it to Math. I’m definitely going to see how college math is before committing myself.

4

If you want to go into med school there’s no reason to major in math or computer science. But if I were to pick one I would pick math, because deep math knowledge is probably more applicable than deep CS knowledge.