<p>Hey CC, I'm currently an underclassmen in high school. I have a great passion for mathematics and it has always been my best and most consistent class. I love working with numbers and applications (I admit I'm sort of a dork), and problem solving is probably one of my best skills. I'll be taking AP Calculus BC and the senior year, and hope to continue learning higher math in college. I still don't know how I will be able to apply math in the real world, I'm not too sure what my profession/major is at this point, but I hope it has an involvement with numbers -- regardless if the work is business or engineering related. Does anyone have any ideas as to how I should start looking for in what environment would suit my math studies?</p>
<p>Do you have a passion for mathematics or do you have a passion for quantitative reasoning? The two are very different things. I would consider your proof skills and interest level before declaring a pure mathematics major.</p>
<p>With that said, many schools have good math departments. The [NRC</a> rankings](<a href=“http://www.stat.tamu.edu/~jnewton/nrc_rankings/area31.html]NRC”>NRC Rankings in Mathematics), while old and somewhat crude, offer a rough listing of some good departments.</p>
<p>Liberal arts colleges generally cannot offer the breadth or depth of mathematical courses and talent available at a large research university, but their focus on undergraduates may more than balance things out for some people. A few good choices in this area include Swarthmore, Williams, and St. Olaf.</p>
<p>Since you are also considering other majors, I would make sure that your list includes schools with good engineering and business programs. There are many threads on these topics if you look for them.</p>
<p>We will have an easier time making recommendations if you post your stats (test scores, unweighted GPA, significant extracurriculars, etc.) and desired characteristics (school size, location, diversity, etc.)</p>
<p>I posted a chance thread before and most of the responders said I was too young (high school sophomore) to start up on chances. I have solid grades (3.5+ UW GPA) at a top boarding school where I run XC and Track. My non-academic EC’s include math team, school newspaper, community service (50+ hours so far, currently doing paper work for Red Cross volunteerism over the summer), and I work a front desk job at a restaurant over school breaks and the summer. I just transferred in this year so the transition did take a toll on my grades (4.0 at my previous international school). I hope to bring them up to at least a 3.7 by the time I apply to colleges.</p>
<p>I’ve did Geometry last year and I have done solid work with proofs. I’m considering taking a logic course next year or during the summer to further my work with proofs.</p>
<p>Some resources you might like:
[Proofs</a> and Concepts](<a href=“http://people.uleth.ca/~dave.morris/books/proofs+concepts.html]Proofs”>Proofs and Concepts)
[Practical</a> Foundations of Mathematics](<a href=“http://www.cs.man.ac.uk/~pt/Practical_Foundations/html/index.html]Practical”>http://www.cs.man.ac.uk/~pt/Practical_Foundations/html/index.html)</p>
<p>As you are only a sophomore, there is no need to stress much about college now. I would recommend pursuing your interests outside of school to get a better feel for them. In addition to the well-known AMC-AIME-USAMO sequence of mathematics exams, I would look into the USAMTS (google it). You don’t have to register and compete in order to enjoy the excellent problems.</p>