Undergraduate Math

Question

Hello!

So I transferred from a community college into NYU, and placed relatively well into calc (mathematical reasoning here). I already took this course, and should be taking Mathematical economics afterwords. From that, I take statistical methods in economics and I'm done with undergraduate math.

Would this amount of math be sufficient to make me competitive for programs such as Columbia, Harvard, Stanford, and Wharton? How much math should an undergraduate student take to be competitive??

I'm ending my sophomore year by the way.

Lastly, when I first transferred here as a sophomore I really wanted a traditional college campus and such. As a result, I applied to the University of Pennsylvania College of Arts and Sciences as a transfer student - again - and was recently admitted. However, it's looking as though if I were to transfer, I'd need an additional semester to meet their requirements, meaning that essentially I'd be putting myself back 4-6 classes. I've become very comfortable with NYU and have been doing quite well here academically. Do you think though I should bite the bullet and transfer? Is UPenn that much of an upgrade in terms of career opportunities, and MBA program prospects?

I'd like to point out that I've been in the recruitment process with several large bulge bracket banks, and this transfer would throw me off the recruiting cycle in terms of timing, maybe complicating my possible employment with them.

I'm sorry if I appear to be boasting, I'm just SO confused. Neither of my parents attended college so they don't know what to tell me, and I have very few (really, zero) role models who've done this whole college, career, MBA thing to turn to. Thanks!!!

bakfed · Answer

Congratulations on your admits, both to NYU and to UPenn.

There's a lot to think about here and truthfully speaking, it's simply too early to be thinking about b-school. The answers and descriptions to your questions could take an hour to draft up and it's simply going to be circling back to a fairly common answer - Do what you like, but like what you do.

Since you're doing well already at NYU and recruiting (well) with the BB, I don't see the transfer being any better than sticking it out with NYU. NYU has already a great reputation and while UPenn certainly will come out more 'famous' than NYU, it's not necessarily better to be at the bottom of the food chain at Penn compared to the top at NYU. You'd rather want to be the best at a school than mediocre at a better brand. I hope you understand this. At the end, either school will serve you well as long as you're willing to put in the work. Both Penn and NYU will get you a good job, as long as you put in the legwork. Both Penn and NYU have good reputations in terms of b-school admission. I wouldn't place too much emphasis on being at either one of them, unless there's some deep-down reasoning.

In terms of math courses, all you really have to worry about is finishing that undergraduate math courses (probably calc for college). There's not a certain set of classes that you have to take before b-schools will take you in. However, with that said, b-schools do like students who are very analytical-based and quant-oriented. You can certainly display your prowess in math with your GMAT, your BB experience, and whatnot. If you can demonstrate quantative ability, don't worry about taking extra courses in college.

applesauce123 · Answer

Such a great response! Thanks for your advice!!!

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