Cambridge vs Princeton for Math

Colleges & Universities Princeton University
21

<p>Princeton for sure they will probably give you most money</p>

22

<p>So Cambridge v Princeton v MIT.</p>

23

<p>Einstein v. Newton: take your pick.</p>

24

<p>Ooooo tough one</p>

25

<p>MIT, because it’s awesome. :D</p>

26

<p>Hmm. I like the antique feel Cambridge has to offer. I mean, 800 years + Newton + G.H. Hardy and all the other famous English mathematicians >>> Einstein.</p>

27

<p>To be honest, I’m in the Newton camp myself.</p>

28

<p>ouchhh :(</p>

29

<p>Don’t worry; we get Feynman, Nash, Turing, Terence Tao, two Fed chairs, Fitzgerald, and Forbes. And, unlike Newton, these guys aren’t ancient history.</p>

<p>Not to mention Dr. Manhattan, Carlton, Doogie Howser, and Charlie from Numbers. Fictional, but still awesome.</p>

30

<p>Speaking of fictional Princetonians: we also have Batman and Jack Donaghy.</p>

31

<p>yes, nash! :slight_smile: cambridge is very solid, and if you wanted to do maths and maths alone, that would be the better choice for an academic career…but if youre looking to branch off into investment banking/applied maths, tiger’s program would support you much better. ive applied as a physics/applied maths major myself and am very excited to be getting access to one of the world’s best phys/maths departments! i havent looked at uk undergrad, but a very close friend of mine is doing a math degree at cambridge (two time IMO silver medallist) and he seems to think the education is worth the money. i wonder how many IMO/IPhO calibre kids princeton scrapes in every year? i hear MIT has rejected a fair bit, with gold/silvers dangling from their specs - do they all leach off to caltech?</p>

32

<p>Obv. you’re going to get Princeton bias if you post this in the Princeton board. </p>

<p>I think it’s fair to say that both are equal in terms of prestige. Cambridge certainly has a much richer history in mathematics, but both are equally recognized in the United States. Besides, Cambridge will get you a M. Math which is certainly more valuable than a Bachelor’s degree. It’s also worth mentioning that the Cambridge system is unique ([Cambridge</a> Mathematical Tripos - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia](<a href=“http://■■■■■■/aJQXVt]Cambridge”>http://■■■■■■/aJQXVt)) and I think it’ll be a valuable experience. </p>

<p>In my opinion, go to Cambridge and get an M. Math.</p>

33

<p>Personally, I wouldn’t be keen about doing all the general stuff that american universities (or at least the top ones) require and would be more interested in Cambridge.
However, for me, my problem is trying to choose between Oxford and Cambridge for where to apply next year!
But if you don’t mind doing all the general stuff and it does work out cheaper, then maybe go with Princeton (although some of the Cambridge colleges are GORGEOUS and the Cambridge maths building apparently looks REALLY cool! Like something out of NASA or something.
And cambridge DOES give you the MMath…)
It is ultimately where you think you would fit in best, the type of people there, etc.</p>

34

<p>^ The Centre for Mathematical Sciences:</p>

<p><a href=“http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Centre_for_mathematical_sciences_cambridge_panorama.jpg[/url]”>http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fe/Centre_for_mathematical_sciences_cambridge_panorama.jpg&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

35

<p>@Grisam, I appreciate your advice. I am leaning a bit towards Cambridge, but I still need to get the required STEP scores.</p>

<p>One concern i have is undergraduate research. I know it’s not as common over at Cambridge, but my thinking is that it would be hard for an undergrad to know enough mathematics to write a paper or do research in pure math.</p>

36

<p>I don’t know about the research bit but I know they have a paid 10-week summer research thing for undergraduates.</p>

<p>And STEP scores are extremely important! Can’t stress that enough. A friend of mine went to a cambridge maths open day on saturday and the admissions tutor said,
‘Do I care about your personal statement? No!
Do I care about your A levels? (or whatever else) No!
Do I care about your STEP results? Yes!’
I guess that was an exaggeration but they want 1’s in Step 2 and 3, I think…
So make sure that if you do choose Cambridge you are seriously prepared for the STEP papers!</p>

37

<p>STEP scores are very very very very very important. </p>

<p>Out of curiosity, which college were you accepted in?</p>

38

<p>Yah I realize that.</p>

<p>I got accepted to Magdalene College.</p>

39

<p>Keep in mind that your college becomes your home during your years at Cambridge. If you like the smaller field of Magdalene (~300 students), then you may like Cambridge as a whole.</p>

<p>Did you go for an interview to Cambridge? That gives you a good feel for the school.</p>

40

<p>If you plan on working in the US, go with Princeton. It definitely has the better name recognition and opportunities for the US. Why would you ever choose Cambridge, unless if you’re from England? That is just silly to me.</p>