Too late to work towards a Math PhD?

College Majors
1

<p>I'm a sophomore in college, and I'm just now taking Calculus I. I've always been good at math, but when I first came to college I decided to major in something else, only to find out that I'm bad at that something else and that I don't quite like it as an academic subject. Now I plan to major in Math. I can very easily complete the major requirements in 3 years. My only worry is, if some time in the future I end up liking Math so much that I decide to apply to Math PhD programs, will graduate schools look at my transcript unfavorably because my first year had absolutely nothing mathematical, or will they be happy enough to see that my last three years are filled with math courses (including graduate level courses)?</p>

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>(I'm posting this in the graduate school forum too).</p>

2

<p>Maybe, it depends on what classes are required by your school. If you scrape by and can't meet the prereqs to even apply then you are out of luck. Just make sure you plan your schedule carefully, then you should be fine.</p>

3

<p>no offense but you have not even scraped the surface of math at an undergraduate level yet</p>

4

<p>"My only worry is, if some time in the future I end up liking Math so much"</p>

<p>not to discourage you, but that should be the least of your worries. almost no one majoring in math have that problem.</p>

5

<p>Just out of curiosity, how would you manage to take graduate classes in the next 2.5 years?</p>

6

<p>daman11: I know, I know. I'm only asking. I guess I should have left out the introductory part and just ask the question.</p>

<p>4321234: Well the full sentence says "if some time in the future I end up liking Math so much that I decide to apply to Math PhD programs." Almost all math majors like math, I'm sure, but not all of them like it so much to devote years to graduate school.</p>

<p>b@r!um: I did some scheduling and somehow it works out pretty well. I guess it's partly because my school runs on a quarter system, so I can progress to higher-level courses faster. Oh, and I'll have to stay in school for one summer too.</p>

<p>Everyone, I'm only asking a hypothetical question. It's okay with me if you want to question my interest in Math, but I'm only looking for answers to my main question.</p>

7

<p>Math PhD programs will look most carefully at the math classes you took and the grades you earned in them. Math PhD programs will not care that you took other things freshman year. Do not worry about this.</p>

8

<p>my friend majored in math. he liked it at some point. he's graduating this quarter and hates math now. you might not end up liking it once you're done...</p>