Should I Switch My Major to Math+CS for Better Grad School Applications?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the decision of whether to switch from a physics and computer science (CS) major to a mathematics and CS major, particularly in the context of preparing for graduate school applications in applied mathematics. Participants explore the implications of course selection and degree focus on graduate school prospects.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant expresses a dilemma about switching majors, noting that switching to math+CS would require taking more logic and theoretical CS courses, which they find uninteresting.
  • Another participant suggests that to gain admission to a math program, one should pursue a math-focused degree.
  • The original poster mentions having already completed several advanced math courses and plans to take additional graduate-level courses in combinatorics, game theory, and optimization, questioning whether graduate schools prioritize the degree or the courses taken.
  • A participant reiterates that graduate schools consider the courses taken, while questioning the original poster's interest in remaining in physics.
  • The original poster defends their interest in staying in physics by highlighting the potential to take more relevant graduate courses in their field of interest, combinatorial game theory, rather than focusing on logic and computability courses.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the importance of the major versus the specific courses taken for graduate school applications. There is no consensus on whether switching to math+CS is beneficial or necessary.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the lack of certain required courses for the math+CS track, which may affect the decision-making process. The discussion reflects uncertainty regarding the weight of degree type versus course content in graduate school evaluations.

Who May Find This Useful

Students considering a switch in majors, particularly those interested in mathematics and computer science or applied mathematics graduate programs.

Dazedandconfu
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again, I am in a bit of a dilemma, as my screen-name would suggest lol
so I am currently in physics+CS and I am wondering if i should switch to math+CS, but if i switch to math+CS and ill have to take more logic and theoretical CS courses, which I am not too interested in, if i stay in physics+CS , ill have more space to take graduate level math courses in my field of interest (combinatorial game theory), I am interested in applying to grad school in applied math, any advice on whether switching into the Math/CS would look better on my application or the Physics/CS with more higher math courses in my field of interest
as always, any help much appreciated
 
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If you want to get into a math program, do math.
 
iv already taken a lot of math courses (cal 2,3,4, lin alg. ode, pde, discrete math, probability, analysis,) and I am planning on taking combinatorics(graduate), game theory(graduate) and optimization(graduate), its just i don't have any undergrad logic, abstract algebra and theoretical CS courses, which are required for the math+CS thing, i guess I am asking if grad. schools look at the courses you've taken or at the degree,
 
Dazedandconfu said:
iv already taken a lot of math courses (cal 2,3,4, lin alg. ode, pde, discrete math, probability, analysis,) and I am planning on taking combinatorics(graduate), game theory(graduate) and optimization(graduate), its just i don't have any undergrad logic, abstract algebra and theoretical CS courses, which are required for the math+CS thing, i guess I am asking if grad. schools look at the courses you've taken or at the degree,

Yes they look at the courses but why are you even considering staying in physics?
 
because otherwise i'll have no space to take the interesting graduate courses mentioned above and ill have to take a bunch of logic and computability courses, which i don't find particularly interesting , and i don't think they'll be very useful for grad school in applied math
 

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