Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 14:19     Subject: Williams vs CMU for Math
They are both excellent schools to study math.

The campus experience will be very different. Does your kid prefer a SLAC located in a beautiful but geographically removed area? Or would they like to be in a city, within walking distances to restaurants, museums, etc.? Honestly, I'd let that inform your child's decision as much as anything else.

Does your student like proof-based math and discrete math? At CMU they will be dive deep into proofs and abstract concepts from the get-go.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 13:36     Subject: Williams vs CMU for Math
Anonymous wrote:Don't forget the name the degree will confer as a factor. Williams is the #1 SLAC and that means a lot wherever path your kid ends up choosing in life. Not the most important factor, but we should all admit it can be a factor.

Look like we have a "#1 SLAC" troll here.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 13:05     Subject: Re:Williams vs CMU for Math
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:When you look at the top math reu, Duluth, very few spots across decades have gone to LAC students: https://sites.google.com/view/gallian-reu/additional-information/list-of-participants?authuser=0

SLACs are great, but the difference in talents and options between a medium elite university and Williams or Pomona (two gold standard LACs for math) is pretty vast.


Which other math REUs are considered "top"?

CMU SUAMI and SMALL are both pretty well known and important. Duluth is the best of the best, though.

How is Duluth so elite when the school itself isn't, even for undergrad mathematicians? Why wouldn't highschool wannabe mathematicians go to Duluth for undergrad to get guaranteed access to the same profs conducting these top REUs?

Many research programs for undergrads is focused on being exploratory/first time research. This is rarely publishable and often meant as an exposure program pipeline to a masters/phd program the institution offers.

Duluth is not this. Duluth is built on the idea of students generating their own research and publishing at a professional level. It’s alum have received various prizes and acknowledgments throughout the math community.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 12:58     Subject: Williams vs CMU for Math
Anonymous wrote:Don't forget the name the degree will confer as a factor. Williams is the #1 SLAC and that means a lot wherever path your kid ends up choosing in life. Not the most important factor, but we should all admit it can be a factor.

If name matters, CMU is a much more well known and respected institution.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 11:12     Subject: Williams vs CMU for Math
Which is more "rigorous?"

LOL
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 11:09     Subject: Williams vs CMU for Math
Don't forget the name the degree will confer as a factor. Williams is the #1 SLAC and that means a lot wherever path your kid ends up choosing in life. Not the most important factor, but we should all admit it can be a factor.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 10:59     Subject: Williams vs CMU for Math
St Olaf in MN has a very strong Math program. Many go on to earn high quality graduate math degrees elsewhere afterwards.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 03:50     Subject: Re:Williams vs CMU for Math
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:When you look at the top math reu, Duluth, very few spots across decades have gone to LAC students: https://sites.google.com/view/gallian-reu/additional-information/list-of-participants?authuser=0

SLACs are great, but the difference in talents and options between a medium elite university and Williams or Pomona (two gold standard LACs for math) is pretty vast.


Which other math REUs are considered "top"?

CMU SUAMI and SMALL are both pretty well known and important. Duluth is the best of the best, though.

How is Duluth so elite when the school itself isn't, even for undergrad mathematicians? Why wouldn't highschool wannabe mathematicians go to Duluth for undergrad to get guaranteed access to the same profs conducting these top REUs?
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 03:48     Subject: Williams vs CMU for Math
Although I would agree that CMU would be better for a truly standout student, I do not believe that your DC would be a truly standout student at CMU. CMU is known to recruit highly talented math students for undergrad (think MOPers), so standing out in that environment would be very challenging for someone with your DC's background.

Therefore I think Williams would be better due to the better attention and opportunities your child could receive there.

Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 01:05     Subject: Williams vs CMU for Math
Anonymous wrote:How sure is your kid they want a phd path?

I dot think the average child can comprehend their cognitive ability to produce original research nor their desire to make 20-50k while needing to take coursework, teach students, and work at something for years. Really, the big issue is knowing whether or not you’ll be completely exhausted by the end of college. Quite a few people stumble on the path to a PhD.
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 00:49     Subject: Williams vs CMU for Math
How sure is your kid they want a phd path?
Anonymous
Post 03/21/2026 00:33     Subject: Williams vs CMU for Math
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I did math at Williams and can’t emphasis enough how involved the professors were. They are so approachable and involved and really got me to think about math in ways I never had. They also helped me with the decision I was struggling with as far as should I try finance or go straight to grad school. Ironically, with their encouragement, we all realized I would enjoy working in finance more and never ended up pursuing any further degrees in math, but I am not sure the faculty would be this approachable at a bigger school? I don’t think you can go wrong with any of them, but I found that aspect of Williams hard to beat.


If finance/wall street is desired, Williams.

Ph.D. or quant, CMU.


agree with this, but this is very hard to know at 17. most math people I knew (and also my kids know) who went in with PhD in mind, had internships and $$$ job placements lined up by junior yr summer. math PhDs are a much rarer bird.


Peer influences are important, far more than the little chit chat with your Williams professors. There are a lot more kids who are seriously interested in math at CMU. But ultimately it’s your DC’s decision who he wants to be associated with.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 23:58     Subject: Williams vs CMU for Math
Po-Shen Loh
https://www.cmu.edu/math/people/faculty/loh.html
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 23:55     Subject: Williams vs CMU for Math
Anonymous wrote:Carnegie Mellon is never the right answer if you want a happy kid.

And obviously the rural mountain school known for its rigorous academics is

Neither of these are exactly USC.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2026 23:41     Subject: Williams vs CMU for Math
Carnegie Mellon is never the right answer if you want a happy kid.