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It has come time for me to decide where to pursue my undergraduate education. I plan to pursue a PhD in mathematics, so accordingly my primary concern is the mathematics programs at various institutions. While I realize that college selection is a personal process, I would like to hear some input from people familiar with the programs I am considering.

My interests currently lie in algebra and dynamical systems, but this is largely because I have not had the chance to study other subjects. That being said, I am most interested in the theoretical math programs of these institutions. It is also my hope that I will be able to perform research with professors as an undergraduate. One thing I am really looking for is to find a "community of scholars" where I can talk with other students about real mathematics on a regular basis. Essentially, I've narrowed my search down to two schools to which I've been admitted:

Chicago: Top ranked program in mathematics and chemistry (my secondary interest). The mathematics department offers a wide variety of classes in various specialties, and faculty are first-rate research mathematicians in most fields. It also has a large body of skilled undergrad and grad students to help create a "community of scholars". However, the school also has a reputation as "where fun goes to die" (this is in fact their mantra), and the large undergraduate and graduate student bodies mean that I may have to fight for attention.

Harvey Mudd: Well-respected math and science college. From what I've heard and my own experiences visiting, the faculty are some of the best teachers out there. Also, the lack of a graduate program means that as an undergraduate I would have a much easier time getting the attention of professors. However, their course offerings are narrower and not as in-depth (their highest course is algebraic geometry, in the language of varieties rather than schemes). Faculty members, as teaching faculty, generally do not have strong research records.

If anyone who has experience with these institutions and could tell me about them in general or their math programs in particular, especially to address my above concerns, I would greatly appreciate it. I will not in any way base my decision off these responses, I am simply looking for some things to think about.

To the moderators: I debated for quite a while as to whether this question was suitable for this site before posting it. If you feel it is not, please inform me so that I may delete it.

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    At first glance, I see the fact that Harvey Mudd does not have a graduate program to be an enormous downside. What if you want to take graduate courses while you are an undergrad? What about attending the interesting graduate student seminars and other talks? One thing about the question: It feels you are basically asking which to choose, and it seems more reasonable to ask such a question to people you know and trust in the real world, rather than and unknown on the internet. Perhaps there is a way to ask something more specific.2011-03-31
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    If you can get into Chicago, go. It's one of the best math schools in the country, and will seriously improve your options when it comes to going to grad school. In my humble opinion, at least. Not to mention, if you're good, you'll be taking grad courses at some point, and you'll want to be around people who can get you into research as soon as possible. That being said, I've never spent any time at either of these places.2011-03-31
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    @Eric: Yes, the lack of a graduate program is a huge concern for me for exactly the reasons you outlined, especially since I am already taking a graduate commutative algebra course at the University of Kansas. They do offer many courses which at other institutions are often graduate classes, but it is still not the same. As for why I am asking here, the people I know and trust do not have much experience with these institutions and I felt that an outside opinion could be very useful.2011-03-31
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    If what you want is just personal opinions from total strangers, I think Chicago is a better choice. I have zero experience with either institution, and only a couple friends that went to Chicago. I honestly think that what you are mentioning regarding graduate students eating up all the professors time is not correct, and I believe it is actually advantageous to have graduate students around.2011-03-31
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    @Eric: Yes, I also appreciate the advantage of having grad students around, as I feel they help create a "community of scholars". And I'm certainly not basing my decision on things said here, I simply want to get some ideas as to what to consider.2011-03-31
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    This seem like a typical case for "too localised", and I am therefore voting to close. As others have said, you should ask people you know and trust.2011-03-31
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    @Alex Bartel: I debated whether or not this question was too localized, but decided not for the following reason: I am not asking what college would be best for *me*, but more for a discussion of certain aspects of the two institutions, which I feel could be of interest to anyone looking at attending them. As for who I should ask this, see my other comments.2011-03-31
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    Maybe this will seem naive or overly utopian to some, but it doesn't *really* matter where you go for undergrad as long as you work really hard. Undergrad is what you make of it. I went to one of the worst undergrad schools you could imagine (no one here has probably ever even heard of it) and I still got into a pretty great grad program.2011-03-31
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    I was an undergraduate at the University of Chicago, and the quality of the education that I got there (mathematically and otherwise) was as solid as any in my incoming class at Harvard, where I did my PhD. Harvey Mudd is a tiny school with a reputation for having strong undergraduates, but seriously, it's no contest. As for where fun goes to die -- yes, some students feel that way...but you live a free 20 minute bus ride away from downtown Chicago. If you can't find fun there, I don't like your chances anywhere...2011-03-31
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    Please feel free to contact me if you want more information.2011-03-31

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