Will the title of my major have any effect on graduate school?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the potential impact of the title of a mathematics major on graduate school admissions, particularly in relation to different concentrations within the major. Participants explore the relevance of these titles in the context of pursuing further studies in mathematics or physics, with a focus on personal preferences and course selections.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant questions whether the title of the major, specifically the concentrations of theoretical, applied, and modeling, will affect graduate school admissions.
  • Another participant suggests that graduate admissions committees are likely to prioritize specific courses taken over the concentration title.
  • A third participant prompts the original poster to consider their intended field of study in graduate school and their favorite courses to better inform their choice of concentration.
  • The original poster expresses uncertainty about their graduate school focus but leans towards physics and mentions enjoying certain math courses.
  • One participant advises caution regarding the choice of theoretical concentration, suggesting that it may not align well with a physics focus and recommends considering applied mathematics instead.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the importance of the concentration title for graduate school admissions. There are differing opinions on which concentration may be most suitable for someone intending to pursue physics.

Contextual Notes

Participants note that the differences between the concentrations may be minimal in terms of required courses, with many being cross-listed. There is also an acknowledgment of personal preferences influencing course enjoyment and selection.

elarson89
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I'm a math major, and will be taking enough math courses to qualify for 3 different mathematics options, theoretical, applied, and modeling. Does anyone think that the title of my math major will have any effect on my entrance to graduate school? Secondly, in your opinion which one sounds the best?

I initially picked theoretical. By the way, I am a math and physics double major (and double degree) if that impacts anything.
 
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What "titles" are you talking about? I presume you mean "concentrations" in the math major. Concentrations in "Analysis" or "Algebra" probably would not bother any faculty. "Applied Math" is vague enough that it might raise some eyebrows. If you are going to graduate school a concentration in "secondary teaching" probably wouldn't make much sense! In any case, I think that graduate school admissions committees will pay more attention to the specific courses you take rather than a "title".
 
Hi,
Welcome to PF!

To halls: I think the school he is in defines the concentrations for undergrad to be what he has stated: Theoretical, applied, and modeling.

I think you need to answer a few questions:

1) What are you going to study in Grad school? Math or Physics?
2) Do know have any idea what type of math or physics you will study in grad school?
3) What have been some of your favorite math courses so far?
4) What are the differences in required courses for the 3 options?
 
I'm not quite sure on what I'll go to grad school for, but probably in physics and may pursue a higher degree in astrophysics.

So far I've taken diffy q, intro to linear algebra, and a combinatorics class. I'm not sure what my favorite is but i really enjoyed both diffy q and combinatorics, linear algebra not so much. But that could have very well been because I hate the textbook. As far as the requirements for the different options, its a matter of 4 classes, with most of them cross-listed in the other options. So in reality, there isn't much of a difference besides the name.
 
Well, before you jump into theoretical you probably should take a course like topology or Abstract Algebra. Something that deals with Groups, Fields, Rings etc. Also Theoretical may not be the most complementary to physics.

Modeling sounds like it might be more numerical analysis and statistics, that may not be right for physics either.

Since you are considering Physics in grad school, and since you enjoyed diffy qs, and since the other two options don't seem to fit, I would lean toward the applied.
 

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