Mathematicians have a romance with numbers. They deal with the hard realities of statistics and the fragile beauty of complex theorems. Some become actuaries, economists, and businesspeople, working with concrete concepts. Others become professors, working with almost poetic abstractions and theories. In short, there is lots of life beyond trig class. Mathematics majors study exactly what you’d expect—lots and lots of math. Some mathematics programs offer opportunities to combine a degree in mathematics with one in business, economics, physics, or computer science. As you consider schools, make sure to check the available options.

Preparation

Are you sitting down? Because this is a shocker . . . try to get as many advanced math courses under your belt as possible. Experience with computers and programming languages is also good. Classes in logic and physics will help you understand some of the more practical applications of complex math.