UCLA vs. Georgia Tech (vs. NYU) for Applied Mathematics

Now that all my decisions are finally in, I can finally say that I’m deciding between UCLA, Georgia Tech, and POSSIBLY NYU.

For UCLA, I got into the (Pre) Applied Mathematics major within the College of Letters and Science. For Georgia Tech, I selected Mathematics B.S. as my intended major within the College of Sciences. For NYU, I got into the Applied Mathematics major within Tandon School of Engineering.

I’m leaning more towards UCLA or Georgia Tech for three reasons: NYU is ridiculously expensive, I’m not sure I want to live in the heart of Brooklyn, and NYU is objectively ranked lower as a school. However, I’m looking to hear what you guys think of the school before I completely dismiss it. NYU is ranked #1 for Applied Mathematics (UCLA is #2) and I did get into the engineering school, which I would easily fit into.

I am very nerdy and place my academics before anything else, but I do understand the value in being social and active. I’m a musical theater nerd and can’t live without seeing musicals every so often. (I have the Pantages in LA, the Fox theater in Atlanta, and BROADWAY in NYC). I’m looking to get as much experience as I can get—research with professors, internships at various companies, etc. I prefer smaller class sizes, helpful academic advisers, and supportive faculty. I’m not into being in a grossly competitive and non-collaborative atmosphere. Throughout high school, I was involved with theater, orchestra, and tutoring, and I hope to continue some combination of those three in college.

Let me know what you guys think! CC has helped me throughout this horrible college admissions process and I can’t believe it has finally come to me making this decision. Thanks in advance!!

Two questions about your “rankings” (not that I think this should be a deciding factor)

  • what ranking do you use that has NYU below GT overall? NYU is higher in both USNWR and THE/WSJ (just 5 places in the former, but 33 places in the latter - 27 vs 60). UCLA is indeed highest in both rankings.
  • perhaps more important - isn’t the NYU applied maths ranking the one through Courant rather than Tandon? Also the ranking you mention is for graduate schools, which may or may not reflect the strength of the undergrad program.

More important than rankings:

  • you mention cost as an issue for NYU. Which is the most affordable option? Do the other options require debt?

Others:

  • I’m pretty sure most applied math majors will be “nerdy and academic”. Tandon specifically does have reputation for this.
  • LA and NY will outdo Atlanta in musical theater etc without doubt.
  • have you visited all the campuses?

@SJ2727 Thanks for your reply! I’m definitely not making rankings a deciding factor. I’m just considering it in terms of maximizing my mathematics education. And yes, I did not mean NYU to have a better ranking than GT, overall. Sorry about that.

Yes, NYU’s applied math is ranked through Courant, but according to NYU’s Tandon website, “As of September 1, 2017, the Mathematics faculty at the Tandon School of Engineering joined the Department of Mathematics at the Courant Institute of Mathematical Sciences.” Also, I completely understand this ranking is for graduate school. I’ve known this all along. I just thought it was worth noting.

I am financially able to pay for all three schools debt-free. But if I choose NYU, I’d be paying almost double than if I were to choose the other two. Hence, I wanna make sure I’d be happy there before I do so.

I live 8 minutes away from UCLA, so yes I have visited :). I’m very used to Los Angeles, and am not entirely sure I want to stay here (but still deciding!!!). I plan to visit GT in mid April. I’ve been to NY twice, but have not visited NYU Tandon, specifically. NY is fun as a tourist. . .not sure how much I’d like living there.

Ok, I see re UCLA! I think visiting both your other options to see the actual campuses is a good idea. If you haven’t visited the area of Brooklyn it’s in then definitely worth a visit. And you certainly need to see GT’s location too imo before making a decision. You may find you just get a definite feel for one of them.

@SJ2727 Thank you so much for your advice!!

Hey @LincolnsGF my D is deciding between UCLA and GT, too (and in the background UCSB’s CCS). She visits next week so I’ll let you know what she thinks vs. UCLA. She’ll be majoring in Chemistry.

Congrats! As a parent, it seems kids usually have a gut feeling that turns out to be correct. It will probably be clear what you want after you visit GT, so don’t miss it!

@crknwk2000 I also got into UCSB CCS for Mathematics! I attended the open house in Feb 25. It was extremely informative. I truly had the opportunity to envision myself as a student there. I visited the dorms, sat in on a lecture, talked with current students. I think the program would set me up for graduate school very nicely, especially since I would be able to get out of many GEDs! The class sizes are very small (~15) and the research opportunities are endless. I have never seen a program where students have this much flexibility in their schedules. One person was taking 2 classes, one, 8. However, I do feel like these students feel very isolated within themselves. They’re overly concerned about their assignments and projects. All they seem to care about is math math math math. I feel as though I’d like more of a balance in college, and I’m not sure I’d find that there.

I don’t think NYU is worth paying so much for. I’d pick UCLA but if you want to go away GT is great too. It may be more engineering-oriented and UCLA may be stronger in basic sciences.

Thank you SO MUCH for sharing your impressions about UCSB’s CCS. I remember reading about some of you math kids who were invited to that open house and thought it was a great chance to learn about the program. They don’t really have a good way for my D to really visit and see what she’d be in store for. On paper it sounds amazing and our UCSB tour guide last year was part of CC for Chemistry/BioChem (which is what she was accepted to), but she doesn’t really have a true sense of the program. Hearing that some students in the program are overly concerned about assignments and projects AND that they feel pretty isolated, doesn’t sound super. My D (like so so many of you) has worked so hard in high school. She’ll of course continue to work hard in college, but like you really wants to balance it with some fun and spirit–both of which UCLA (and GT) seem to have.
Your parents must be happy you’re considering UCLA. My D got into Cal yesterday but now says no way, it’s too close. Plus she thinks the students there are more stressed and not as collaborative as she’d find at UCLA and GT. Let’s def stay in touch about any new info/impressions of GT as it compares to UCLA.
Oh, and a big congrats to you!!!

@crknwk2000 Thank you!! And yes, I will definitely stay in touch with you!! I also got into Cal, but I too am not a fan of the academic atmosphere there.

What I like about NYU is that it’s a private school, so I would have many advisers helping with internships/planning and I’d have flexibility and ease in getting into classes; not to mention the class sizes are much smaller and there is more one-on-one attention. But my dad does not think NYU is worth the price. Considering these factors that I want in college, which would be better: GT or UCLA?

UCLA. Hands down.

@menloparkmom tell us more…what are the reasons behind “UCLA. Hands down.”

The arts and sciences school at GT is much smaller than the engineering school. So after the intro classes for all the engineering majors the class sizes should be much smaller in the mathematics department. I can also say the Fox Theater is in walking distance of campus.

This next question I’m asking on behalf of my father, and not because I believe that knowing the answer should influence my decision:

Is Georgia Tech an impressive, well-known name school in comparison to UCLA? I know I will be happy at GT, but is it wise to give up UCLA merely because it’s essentially my backyard?

Sometimes the best things are in your backyard. I am admittedly a parent of a GT grad and an incoming freshman so i know a bit about GT but cannot compare to UCLA which I know is also a great school.

Agreed. It’s half the cost of NYU, and Brooklyn ain’t the East Village. LA has great local theater for a break from math. UCLA Applied Math (#2-5) is generally considered slightly stronger than NYU (#8-12) which is slightly stronger than GaTech (#15-20), altho all three schools are excellent.

Do you know how many study abroad programs a UCLA student can take part in? Like is there a limit, lol? And do you know what quarter I could start? I’d love to get out of LA as soon as possible and as much as possible, so that I can experience some change while still attending the (most probably) better option school for me.

@LincolnsGF Where did you get the impression that NYU would have all these advisers and one on one faculty helping you out? It’s not a small, elite LAC like Williams or Swarthmore. The times I have visited NYU, I never got a warm and fuzzy vibe. YMMV. So definitely visit before you decide.

The NYU applied math program is well known, but so is UCLA. I think GA tech also has a good applied math program.