<p>I am trying to decide between Stanford and Yale for EA and I think I will be a math major. What makes Stanford math a good (or bad) program? How is the personal attention? What would you improve? </p>
<p>You can post on this thread or PM me.</p>
<p>Well, I haven’t been a student of the math program at either of these places, but I have spoken to professors about Stanford’s program at least, and I do know at least one graduate of the Yale program. From how they’re doing, it’s clear you can realistically succeed at either. However, I think from the standpoint of “how much math is going on”, I’ve gotten the impression from professors that Stanford’s particularly good. Then again, this may be because they come from certain similar subfields. </p>
<p>I also think you shouldn’t have to worry about class sizes or anything very much, as once you get to some of the later topics, they really should be small in most places. As for how professors are in interacting with students, it’s probably somewhat too broad a question, as there are different professors out there, and it’s hard for any students to speak to how all professors are. At least if it were left to me, I’d check to see that professors aren’t completely ignoring students uniformly (which I doubt would happen), and at that point, check as to what the programs are structured like myself (a less human consideration). I’d also check how many peers will be into mathematics at either school, because interacting with them typically will be a great thing to do, and a good reason to attend a school with a great program. </p>
<p>I can’t give specific advice on either school, but these are just general sentiments of a math student as to what to worry about. If there are just general things you’d like to ask about math programs, I’m happy to answer via PM.</p>
<p>Stanford’s math program for undergraduates is really flexible. there’s basically no required classes, you just have to get enough units from the math department. there’s also a long list of electives from other departments that can count as well.</p>
<p>Stanford also has the best stats department in the US, if you are interested in that. There are a few professors that teach in both departments.</p>
<p>Stanford tries to make it pretty easy to major in math as a way to draw more math majors. It’s a tough major so a lot of people choose to minor rather than major in it. </p>
<p>The math/stats departments work together (along with a couple other departments) to create the financial math masters degree, which you could start working on your junior year if you are good enough. VERY challenging math program, but very well respected as well.</p>
<p>If you are going to do something techie I’d go with stanford over yale every time.</p>