Choosing between Maths and Maths+CS

Hi, I have something of a dilemma with regard to my course choices. Before I begin, I want to make it clear that I love Maths and Maths+CS absolutely equally.

The deadline to choose my degree is approaching, and I'm stuck between the two. Since I'm terrible at geometry, but great at logic, I score much higher on the MAT version for Maths+CS applicants than on the version for straight Maths applicants. This makes me inclined to apply for M+CS, but that would mean that I'd be applying for a degree with (a) more competition and (b) a CS interview on top of a maths interview (I don't think I'd do too well at a CS interview). At the same time, the impact of the MAT score on admission chances cannot be underestimated. So which one should I choose?

Before you say that I should just choose the one I love more, or that my decision should determine the exam and not the other way around, recall that I see them as equally awesome, so it's simply a matter of taking the path of least resistance. This isn't like applying to Classics because 40% of applicants get in, even though I don't like Classics, just to get into Oxford. It's choosing between paths that I'd genuinely enjoy, with a mind to maximize my chances of being able to pursue one of those paths.

Rather, it's choosing between applying for a course with fewer barriers to entry (only a maths interview, lower applicant-to-places ratio) but with a lower MAT score and a course with more competition, but with a higher MAT score.

Any advice?

My advice would be to think about what you are doing a degree for?

so might not get to interview (I'm not casting aspersions on your ability, I'm suggesting you be open to all possibilities)

I'm not sure whether you can apply to Maths and then take some parts of the CS course on too when you're there

Hi, I have something of a dilemma with regard to my course choices. Before I begin, I want to make it clear that I love Maths and Maths+CS absolutely equally.

The deadline to choose my degree is approaching, and I'm stuck between the two. Since I'm terrible at geometry, but great at logic, I score much higher on the MAT version for Maths+CS applicants than on the version for straight Maths applicants. This makes me inclined to apply for M+CS, but that would mean that I'd be applying for a degree with (a) more competition and (b) a CS interview on top of a maths interview (I don't think I'd do too well at a CS interview). At the same time, the impact of the MAT score on admission chances cannot be underestimated. So which one should I choose?

Before you say that I should just choose the one I love more, or that my decision should determine the exam and not the other way around, recall that I see them as equally awesome, so it's simply a matter of taking the path of least resistance. This isn't like applying to Classics because 40% of applicants get in, even though I don't like Classics, just to get into Oxford. It's choosing between paths that I'd genuinely enjoy, with a mind to maximize my chances of being able to pursue one of those paths.

Rather, it's choosing between applying for a course with fewer barriers to entry (only a maths interview, lower applicant-to-places ratio) but with a lower MAT score and a course with more competition, but with a higher MAT score.

Any advice?

I'd possibly be able to change course, which means it's best for me to apply to the one for which I'm a stronger applicant (since I could just transfer later, if need be).

There's not a huge difficulty in the difficulty of getting into the two degrees. The MAT scores for borderline candidates are pretty similar between the degrees.

Also, I don't understand why you think you would do badly in a CS interview. You say that you're great at logic, and CS interviews are basically logical thinking (plus a bit of discrete maths). Have you looked at the sample interview questions on our webpage?

This is by no means guaranteed and so a very dangerous strategy.

Indeed, but at the interview stage, aren't there fewer places for each applicant for the M+CS degree? Or maybe I got the statistics mixed up?

I'm pretty good at the logic problems like the saint/liar/wildcard and the black/white hats problems. The interview problems listed on the website are sort of related to this, but on the whole, they didn't seem very logic-related (perhaps with the exception of the chocolate bar problem). That's why I feel comfortable with the M+CS question on the MAT, but not necessarily with those that will be asked at interview.

Additionally, I've heard that applicants may be asked to come up with algorithms to solve certain problems. I've been programming from a young age, but my programs were always functionality-based (e.g. automating emails), as opposed to algorithm-based. One former student told me that he was asked to come up with an algorithm to solve the 2SUM problem at interview, and I doubt I'd be able to do the same, especially in a stressful interview environment. Should I expect such problems to be asked, or has the department shifted away from such questions in recent years?

Really? I thought you just had to take an exam to switch?

However, it will normally be the case that the interviewer will give you hints rather than necessarily expecting you to come up with an algorithm yourself.