Looking for colleges to study math [TX resident, not top 10%, NMSF, 1480 SAT, <$60k, currently in 11th grade with calculus BC]

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I am trying to help my S26 compile a college list. He wants to study math. Not to be an actuary or teacher, he just likes math. Probably looking to go into industry after college, doing math. Maybe he would attend grad school, depending on his goals in a few years. He probably wants to explore undergraduate research. Looking for strong programs that offer a broad range of courses and opportunities since he really doesn’t have much direction right now. He just likes math.

Doesn’t have any restrictions on geography (except we are in Texas so I’m thinking the harshest winter climates might be tough for him). No restrictions on city size, but he might enjoy an urban environment. No restrictions on university size. He’s really making it hard with few criteria to narrow things down.

He’s visited Texas A&M, Purdue, Rice, UChicago. He likes them all (except TAMU is parents’ alma mater so he doesn’t love that). Brothers are at Purdue (S23) and UChicago (S21) so there’s connections to both. He doesn’t have the intangibles that his S21 brother did so I wouldn’t expect admission to a UChicago-type school (nor would I ever expect it even if he did).

We won’t qualify for need based aid but also need to consider where he could get merit scholarships if it’s a high priced school. I’m not sure what to expect in the admissions game because his ECs are not as strong as his brothers, but his rigor and GPA might be slightly higher. And every year varies.

He just got a perfect PSAT/NMSQT so he’ll be NMSF/NMF. Got a 1480 (770 EBRW / 710 math) on his first SAT. That math score was surprisingly low but he focused his prep mostly on verbal. He’ll retake it in March.

Currently in 6 APs and doing reasonably well but grades are slipping recently so he needs to get back on track. He’s been a nearly straight-A kid but outside the top 10% of his class. His school doesn’t rank outside top 10%. He’s in AP Lang, US history, Calc BC, Physics 1, Comp Sci, and Seminar. Also marching/concert band and jazz band. Other ECs: he’s on a superintendent/student advisory council (only 16 students, 4 from each grade are on it from his HS) and a student representative on a district-wide bond committee for an upcoming Spring bond election, so that’s somewhat unique. He doesn’t have any significant awards other than 9th grade region band. Hopefully he’ll make region band this year. He’s also in the pit orchestra for the high school musical. He’s a trumpet player. So the only ECs are band-related and the district advisory stuff. No math-related ECs. He does play online chess. He played competitively until 2020 but dropped it during COVID when tournaments went online.

For next year we are trying to figure out what math he’ll take. Leaning toward DC calc 2 and calc 3, to reinforce the Calc BC but not get too far ahead. We don’t really want him skipping too much math in college, hoping he could retake calc 3 freshman year even if he takes it DC senior year. I know that may depend on the college/university policies. He won’t be on any need based aid but hoping for merit scholarships which could possibly (I’ve heard) prohibit retaking a class for which he has credit.

I’d say our budget for him is around $60K/year. This would rule out private colleges that don’t offer any merit scholarship and have a high sticker price.

So with that background, what suggestions are there for colleges that may be a good fit?

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Do you think he’d like a smaller STEM-y type school or something big and more rah-rah?

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He’s not opposed to a big state school but I think the smaller to medium sized schools would be a good fit.

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There was a boy in my son’s high school class who loved math and excelled at it, taking college classes in high school. He went to Brandeis and his mom said it was a great experience. The sticker price is above your budget but they may give merit aid to make it more affordable. Good luck.

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This site may offer you ideas for schools to research further:

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I appreciate you sharing. The trouble I’m running into with these “top colleges” lists is that they all tend to be highly selective colleges. Less than 10% admission rates, little to no merit aid offered. I guess I’m looking for the next tier, or just suggestions based on word of mouth. Schools that are more “buyers” than “sellers” but still have stellar academics.

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If he does well in calculus BC and the AP exam, then he is likely ready for calculus 3 (check the placement recommendations of the college, and have him try the college’s old calculus 1 and 2 final exams). If calculus 3 is taken at a reasonable college and he does well in it, it may not be worth repeating, unless the repeat is an honors course.

Note that math at the upper levels in college will have much more emphasis on theory and proofs (which may have had a tiny taste of in high school geometry). If he ends up preferring the more computational side, then other math-heavy majors like data science or industrial engineering (or some schools’ applied math majors) may be more suitable.

If he does like theory and proofs so much that he wants to go on to PhD study in math, consider whether sufficient upper level and graduate level math courses will be available to him as an undergraduate at each college.

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Unless you’re full pay it can seem like searching for a unicorn.

One thing to consider about larger schools are honors programs. They can help make it seem smaller. Not all honors programs are equal. Schreyer at Penn State comes to mind. NC State is strong for math.

Luckily he has some great in-state options. Good luck.

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In terms of a popular word-of-mouth suggestion for the study of math, look into St. Olaf.

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Seems like University of Arizona and Arizona State University may be worth a look as potential safety candidates, with automatic admission at a 3.0 HS GPA and automatic scholarships based on GPA, GPA and SAT score, or NMF status, while having reputable math departments. UA is just at $60k for out-of-state students, but automatic scholarships should bring the price down. ASU seems to be a bit lower priced, and also has automatic scholarships. Note that “National Scholar” includes NMF when you are looking at their scholarship listings.

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So - first off - congrats on NMSF.

So Tulsa is a full ride - this is a school where kids that don’t get into Rice go. Over a quarter of their students on NMSF or higher, so that’s a first to look at. Take a look at curriculum. Not qualifying for aid - saving $350K+ at some schools mentioned - the math works.

Similalrly, if he gets NMF, an Alabama, Houston, UTD, and and more will be free or close too. Bama, for example, is five years free tuition and four years housing - plus a stipend - which will cover food. So that’s your undergrad and grad - and I assure you, he won’t run out of math classes.

Otherwise, you need a budget.

You say this: We won’t qualify for need based aid but also need to consider where he could get merit scholarships if it’s a high priced school.

So your budget is $60K - and that eliminates many.

Even if not NMF, he can go to a Bama for $20K - or you can try LACs like a Trinity, etc. but the issue becomes, do they have enough math classes?

You could try a Rice, Vandy, WUSTL although the SAT is low. And their tuition is over your desires but they have some merit.

If it were me, you have great schools in state and you have large flagships that will be under $60K full pay - some like Bama and Ms State under $20K.

That he likes urban though will eliminate many - including Purdue.

But schools that meet cost full price or near assured merit will include the Texas schools, UMN (cold - he’ll be $40Kish), Purdue as you saw, UF, FSU, Delaware, Miami Ohio, U of SC (top Honors college and urban), ASU, depending on GPA U of A, U of Kansas (sub 30K, top Honors), UGA, and really so so many more.

Mid size - U Denver, maybe Miami (Florida) as they give good merit. SMU too.

But I’d start with Tulsa…given it’s free at NMSF if it’s curriculum and overall fit work for you.

Best of luck.

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OP’s initial post said:

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Yes, I updated - saw that at the bottom. Thanks. You just beat my edit.

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Cold weather, but both St Olaf and Macalester offer merit scholarships. @mathmom can give more suggestions. I know she has a kid at Michigan State.

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Some other mathmom - my kid studies computer science at Carnegie Mellon.

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If you want assured $60k or less you have, per College Factual, #22 UT, #24 UMN (cold but they keep you warm and it’s urban), #29 RPI likely there with merit. Others on the list, Ohio State, UMASS, Binghamton, Rutgers, Iowa. Those are top 50.

Next 25 - u of A and ASU, FSU, Iowa State and many more.

I can’t imagine a flagship or well known mid size not being suitable. It’s just an assured $60k or not.

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Sounds like applied math may be a better fit than pure math…

https://www.usnews.com/best-graduate-schools/top-science-schools/applied-mathematics-rankings

My kid studied applied math and had career options in IB, management consulting and several start ups. The concentration seemed both applicable and desired by a variety of industries.

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In addition to the schools already mentioned that have big merit for NMF… for reaches, you might also look at both USC and Northeastern.

  • USC has automatic half-tuition merit for admitted NMF. Great weather and great music opportunities including marching band. The math department has both theoretical and applied/computational tracks.
  • Northeastern has auto-merit for NMF also, and it used to be around half tuition; I’m not sure of the current amount. The math department offers a wide range of combined majors that might interest him Mathematics < Northeastern University Academic Catalog , and co-ops could be a great way of figuring out what kind of work setting he would like. Lots of music ensembles, including a non-marching pep band that plays at hockey games (this being their biggest spectator sport) as well as basketball and volleyball.

Texas isn’t part of any tuition reciprocity networks with other states, but U of Utah can be an attractive option, because they have a path to residency after the first year, bringing the cost way down for years 2-4. (Merit money is possible too.) The Honors College has great housing and robust programming, and music opportunities are top-notch. The math department is strong and has a range of interesting degree options, and strong undergrad research opportunities. The setting has a great balance of access to a major city, and nearby outdoor recreation. I don’t know if there would be a case for choosing Utah over UTD, with its amazing NMF package and a great honors college as well, but it could be worth a look.

If he’d like more focus on math and fewer distribution requirements, he could look at Canadian U’s - there are top-notch math programs at a number of them. Budget could become difficult if our incoming administration mucks up the exchange rate, but it’s a thought.

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Yes I’d highlight Utah as a cheap OOS option if you stay for residency. The math program is strong, especially for the top kids, who frequently win Churchill scholarships:

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I probably sound ridiculous, but I would say any college will work to be Math major (except pure art or music conservatory).
You do not need for math department big labs or special equipment.
I would focus on best fit and money.
I would go with top 100 National or top 100 LACs. Any state flagship would work too.
Be aware that unless there is interest in grad school, think what student wants to do with math. Is it statistics, actuarial science or smth else?

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