maple syrup drinker needs some help

[thin vigil]

• Location/Region: City or suburb preferred; urban or near-urban campuses with good public transit are a plus. Distance from home does not matter. Northeast or Midwest strongly preferred; not interested in the South.

• Major: Applied Mathematics, Computer Science, Statistics, Data Science, Economics (with a strong preference for mathematically rigorous and interdisciplinary programs, and flexibility to double major or pursue a major + minor).

• GPA/Test Scores: 1560 SAT (800 Math, 760 EBRW). GPA ~3.9 UW (school uses a nonstandard GPA system).

• Curriculum:

  • Strong quantitative core: linear algebra (proof-based and applied), probability, statistics, optimization, numerical methods.
  • CS with theory and depth: algorithms, data structures, systems, machine learning with real mathematical foundations.
  • Economics that is technical and analytical: microeconomic theory, game theory, econometrics, market design.
  • Freedom to move across departments and take graduate-level courses as an undergraduate.
  • Minimal “busywork” general education requirements; gen-eds that emphasize writing, philosophy, political theory, history of science, or big-picture thinking.
  • Robust undergraduate research culture with professors open to mentorship and independent projects.
  • Interest in campus activities such as research labs, quant/finance or data clubs, science/innovation groups, writing or literary publications, and low-key music or arts communities.

• Size: No strong preference; small, medium, or large schools are all acceptable as long as academic and intellectual culture is strong.

• Costs: No financial aid required.

• Schools You’re Currently Looking At: HYPSM, University of Chicago, Columbia, Brown, Northwestern.

• Additional:

  • Strong preference for intellectually intense, idea-driven campus cultures over pre-professional or party-centric environments.
  • Values diversity and a strong international student presence.
  • Prefers colder or temperate weather; heat and humidity are a negative.
  • Aesthetics matter: cohesive campus design, historic or Gothic architecture or intentional modern design; serious libraries and study spaces.
  • Enjoys walkable campuses, late-night libraries, coffee shops, and a culture of independent thinking and side projects.

i used ai to just uh format my thoughts but yes these are my preferences thanks

im also considering uoft as a safety

[hollow flame]

Def apply to U of T. UPenn and UMich would be good too

[glacial sparrow]

do you also drink bagged milk

[thin vigil]

i think my parents would disown me if i went to u mich

[hollow flame]

lol why

[thin vigil]

bc its not t10

and its state school

[hollow flame]

i mean it's t20 lol

[thin vigil]

yeah i guess

they dont even rly want me to go to ucs lol

[hot geyser]

yeah im ngl sounds like you want uchicago

not sure how good your overall profile is but ED gives you a great shot at getting in, especially ED0

i think it matches all your criteria frankly other than perhaps being too difficult for a double major to be realistic for some people

[thin vigil]

yea i liked uchi but i always just have that feeling that oh what if i get into a better school if i dont ed

but uchi is like basically one of the best for what i wanna do

[hot geyser]

well post your stats, ECs, potential recs and stuff so we have an idea of what’s realistic for you

id say the only school that might match your preferences better is MIT but yeahh its mit

[lilac spade]

join us

[warped wolf]

given your preferences i’d say brown is an excellent fit

i study math and economics and find that i have a lot of academic freedom + rigor in the classes i take. there is no gen ed requirements, it is easy to take classes outside of your major + grad level classes, with a great amount of my peers engaging in some research in campus. i’d also say that the math/apma/cs/econ classes here fit your preferences and lmk if u have any questions

also the culture seems to line up with what you’re looking for