How to Apply to Mathematics at Colgate University: A Liberal Arts College with Mathematics and Applied Mathematics Majors and a Required Senior Thesis, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Colgate University is a liberal arts college in Hamilton, New York. Undergraduate mathematics is offered by the Department of Mathematics, and students apply to the University through the Office of Admission. Here is what you need to know, based on the department’s and the Office of Admission’s websites, organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Computer science is not covered here; the department’s catalog also lists a computer science/mathematics major and a mathematical economics major, mentioned here only in passing.

1. Degrees and areas

• Two majors: the department offers majors in mathematics and applied mathematics, and minors in mathematics, applied mathematics and mathematical systems biology. The department says it is distinguished among top-rated liberal arts colleges by offering both an applied mathematics major and a mathematical systems biology minor. The catalog also lists a computer science/mathematics major and a mathematical economics major under related majors and minors.
• Mathematics major: preparatory MATH 161 and 162 (Calculus I and II; these do not count toward the major but are prerequisites for some upper-level courses); required MATH 163 Calculus III and MATH 214 Linear Algebra (both by the end of sophomore year), MATH 250 Number Theory and Math Reasoning (by the end of sophomore year with a C or better), MATH 375 Abstract Algebra I and MATH 377 Real Analysis I (both by the end of junior year); four math electives (one at 200-level or above and three at 300-level or above); and a thesis, normally written in MATH 483 Senior Seminar. The department says the deadlines may be extended in unusual circumstances through a student petition to the chair.
• Applied mathematics major: nine courses plus two non-MATH cognates. Preparatory MATH 161 and 162; required MATH 163, 214, MATH 260 Computational Mathematics with MATH 260L (by the end of sophomore year with a C or better), MATH 376 Numerical Analysis and MATH 377 (by the end of junior year); three electives from the applied list; two courses in a single natural or social science major, preferably in consecutive semesters; and a thesis, normally through MATH 482 (MATH 481 may be used after MATH 376 and 377).
• Computing background: the department strongly recommends that students pursuing a mathematics or applied mathematics major or minor complete COSC 101 (with lab) or equivalent.
• GPA and honors: a minimum GPA of 2.00 in the major courses is required. Honors needs a 3.3 GPA in the major and high honors a 3.7, plus a course numbered 400 or above that is not a research seminar and a thesis of distinction produced and defended before a three-faculty committee that grades it A- or better; high honors requires all three to grade it A or better. Joint theses are not normally considered for honors, and honors are not awarded for a thesis written in a student’s final semester.
• Graduate study: the catalog advises students planning graduate study in mathematics to take MATH 485 and MATH 487.

2. How admission to the major works: apply to the University, major later

• At application: the first-year application page describes an application to the University; none of the listed materials ask for a mathematics major or review by major. Whether the mathematics major has limited places is not stated in the pages read; please ask the Office of Admission.
• Declaring the major: the department and admission pages read do not state when and how to declare a major or any grade requirement for declaring; please check the Registrar and advising pages. The department says all mathematics courses are open to qualified students, and the major has staged completion deadlines (see section 1).
• Internal transfer into the major: not published in the pages read beyond the course and GPA requirements in section 1.

3. Prerequisites and placement

• High school math: the University-level high school course requirements are not stated in the pages read. The department says entering first-year students with a solid background in pre-calculus or high school calculus should be prepared for MATH 161 (Calculus I).
• Calculus placement: students who took pre-calculus or calculus in high school should enrol in MATH 161 unless their AP Calculus score allows a higher course. Starting fall 2027, students will have the opportunity in the first week of class to demonstrate knowledge of MATH 161 and/or 162 through an optional placement exam in order to place into a higher level calculus course.
• AP and IB credit: the department says that beginning fall 2027, a 5 on AP Calculus AB or BC earns credit for MATH 161; a 4 or 5 on AP Statistics, or a 6 or 7 on the IB Mathematics: Applications and Interpretation SL or HL exam, earns credit for MATH 105. It adds that there are no other circumstances under which a student receives credit for a mathematics course taken in high school. Credit or placement for international exams such as A-Levels and the IB is handled through the registrar’s pre-matriculation page (not read).
• Honors entry: the pages read describe no honors calculus sequence, only graduation honors (section 1).
• Math competitions: how they are viewed in admission is not stated in the pages read.
• Department prizes: the catalog lists the Allen First-Year Mathematical Prize (based on a first-year prize exam on MATH 161 and 162), the Downie Award, the Osborn Mathematics Prizes and the Sisson Mathematics Prizes.

4. Deadlines and application materials

• Rounds and deadlines: Early Decision I (binding) is due 1 November, with notification in mid-December; Early Decision II (binding) is due 15 January, with notification in mid-February; Regular Decision is due 15 January, with notification in late March. Financial aid submission deadlines match the application deadlines. The pages show no year, so check that they apply to fall 2027 entry.
• How to apply: the Common Application, the Coalition Application on Scoir or the QuestBridge Application; the application fee is $60, waived for applicants who qualify for Common App or Coalition waivers while applying for aid, for non-U.S. citizens (not U.S. dual citizens or permanent residents), for U.S. military veterans, and for those with College Board and similar waivers.
• Recommendations and transcripts: two core academic teacher recommendations (from teachers who taught you in grade 10, 11 or 12; the pages do not require a math teacher), a counselor recommendation, an official high school transcript (an official original plus an official English translation if not in English), and mid-year grades by 15 February (ED I applicants are not affected if they are not yet available). ED applicants also submit an Early Decision Agreement.
• Testing: SAT/ACT scores are optional and applicants who do not submit them are at no disadvantage. Scores may be self-reported, both tests are superscored, and admitted applicants who chose to have scores considered must send official scores. School codes: SAT 2086, ACT 2702.
• Optional materials: arts portfolio, digital presence links, a Glimpse video (domestic) or InitialView video (international); applicants who have done formal research can submit a VIVA (an academic project plus about 10 minutes of questions), due 1 November for ED I and 15 January otherwise. The pages do not describe a way to submit math work or competition results.

5. US domestic applicants

• Tuition (2026-27): the tuition page lists a single tuition figure with no in-state or out-of-state difference: tuition $76,828; billed charges for first-years and sophomores living on campus $96,646 (housing $9,348, food $10,008, student activity fee $462); for juniors and seniors on campus $97,430 (housing $10,132); estimated non-billed costs $3,578 (books $1,600, transportation from $800, personal $1,128, loan fees $50); estimated total cost of attendance $100,224 for first-years and sophomores and $101,008 for juniors and seniors on campus. The rates for fall 2027 entry are not stated in the pages read.
• Aid: the Colgate Commitment (U.S. citizens and permanent residents, from fall 2026, family income up to $300,000 with typical assets): families earning $175,000 or less will generally attend tuition-free; up to $200,000 will generally have need met without loans; $175,000–$200,000 generally pay 5% of income toward tuition, $200,000–$250,000 7%, and $250,000–$300,000 10%; above $300,000 the University still meets 100% of demonstrated need. These are described as general expectations, not guarantees.
• In-state priority or guaranteed admission: not stated in the pages read.

6. International applicants

• English requirements: non-native English speakers who do not study at a secondary school where English is the primary language of instruction must submit one of these tests with a minimum score: TOEFL iBT 4.5, IELTS 7, or Duolingo English Test 130. Scores must come from the official testing agency (TOEFL code 2086), and SAT results do not waive the requirement.
• Interviews: applicants whose native language is not English are encouraged to submit an interview through InitialView or Vericant by 15 January (1 November for ED I).
• Transcripts and exams: current seniors send mid-year grades as soon as available, or predicted final grades from a school official if the school does not provide mid-year grades; graduates send the final transcript instead. All students must submit a final transcript, sent directly by the school via the Common App, Scoir or mail. National or international exam results must come from the testing agency or by email from a school official to admission@colgate.edu.
• Application fee: the international page says applications are fee-free for international students, and the first-year page says the $60 fee is waived for non-U.S. citizens.
• Aid: the website says Colgate meets 100% of demonstrated need for every admitted student including international students, and also says it is need-aware for all applicants, although its most competitive applicants are admitted regardless of whether they applied for aid. To be considered, submit the CSS Profile by the application deadline; the international page gives the deadline as 1 November for ED I and 22 January for ED II and Regular Decision, while the first-year page lists financial aid submission on 15 January (the two pages differ, so check the latest). Only electronic submission is accepted. The Colgate Commitment is for U.S. citizens and permanent residents; international students generally do not have loans in their aid packages, and international students who do not apply or qualify for aid at admission are not eligible in later years.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: whether and how Gaokao results are used is not published; the pages read do not mention it. Please contact the Office of Admission (admission@colgate.edu).
• Transcripts and school-leaving materials: no China-specific requirements are published in the pages read; the general international requirements are in section 6. Transcripts not in English need an official original plus an official English translation.
• International curricula: students taking AP or IB can use the credit rules in section 3 (the AP Calculus 5 rule applies beginning fall 2027).

8. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• Costs: see section 5.
• Department scholarships and research: the department pages read do not mention math-specific scholarships; they describe a thesis for every major, honors theses and several prizes (section 3). The department home page says faculty and students do research, that the department publishes the electronic journal Integers (combinatorial number theory and additive combinatorics), and that it encourages study elsewhere, such as a semester in Budapest, Hungary. The catalog’s study groups include Ireland, Australia, the Singapore Exchange Program and Manchester (U.K.).
• Outcomes: the department’s home page says some students pursue graduate study in mathematics or related fields and others launch careers in business, finance, law, medicine, education, or scientific fields where advanced math skills are in demand; the catalog says math majors go on to careers in medicine, law or business administration and to industry and education with a science orientation. No employment data is printed.

9. Transfer students

• Who counts as a transfer: applicants who have matriculated in a college-level degree programme, or who hold an associate degree.
• Deadlines: fall entry 15 March, with decisions in late April; spring entry 1 November, with decisions in early December. The pages show no year, so check. Apply through the Common App for Transfer or the Coalition on Scoir transfer application, including the essay; the fee is $60. Materials: high school and college transcripts, a college official’s report, a mid-year report and an academic evaluation from a college professor. Testing is optional. Transfer students seeking aid must submit aid materials by the admission deadline.
• Math prerequisites and GPA: the admission page says academic achievement is important but gives no GPA figure; beyond the course sequence in section 1, the pages read state no transfer-specific math prerequisite.
• Credit transfer: credit is for liberal arts courses with a C or better; grades of C- or lower and pass/fail courses get no credit; at most 16 course credits can transfer; 6–13 Colgate credits give sophomore standing and 14–16 junior standing; departments decide which courses count toward a major. The mathematics department says transfer credit for a math course needs pre-approval from the chair; MATH 250, 260 and 260L, 375, 376 and 377 count toward the mathematics or applied mathematics major or minor only if passed at Colgate in a regularly scheduled course; at most two transfer or independent study courses count toward a major or minor. Admitted transfer students receive a preliminary credit evaluation with their acceptance letter.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• ED I 1 November; ED II and Regular 15 January; $60 fee; two core academic teacher recommendations and a counselor recommendation; testing optional
• Aid materials due with the application; the Colgate Commitment covers family incomes up to $300,000

International applicants (including China):

• TOEFL iBT 4.5, IELTS 7 or Duolingo 130 (unless your secondary school teaches in English); CSS Profile for aid
• How the Gaokao is used is not published; ask the Office of Admission

After entry:

• Start in MATH 161 (or higher by AP or the placement exam), then 163 and 214; finish MATH 250 (or 260) by the end of sophomore year and 375/376 and 377 by the end of junior year

Transfer students:

• Fall 15 March, spring 1 November; at most 16 credits transfer; get math courses pre-approved by the chair

Sources: Colgate University, Department of Mathematics; Mathematics: academic program (2026-27 catalog); Mathematics major; Applied mathematics major; Mathematics: major resources; Majors and minors; Admission: first-year applicants; Admission: international applicants; Admission: transfer applicants; Tuition and fees; The Colgate Commitment. The dates on the admission pages show no year, so check that they apply to fall 2027 entry and see the University’s website for the latest.