How to Apply to Mathematics at Furman University: No Major Needed at Application, Declaring by the Second Semester of Sophomore Year or Start of Junior Year, with Mathematics BA/BS, Applied Mathematics and Mathematics-Economics, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Furman University is a private liberal arts and sciences university in Greenville, South Carolina. Undergraduate mathematics is offered by the Department of Mathematics, and students apply to the University through the Office of Admissions. Here is what you need to know, based on Furman’s website, organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Computer science is not covered here.

1. Degrees and areas

• Three related majors: the department says it offers mathematics, applied mathematics and mathematics-economics.
• Mathematics: a Bachelor of Science or a Bachelor of Arts. The website describes foundational courses in calculus, linear algebra and reading and writing mathematics, capstone courses in advanced algebra and analysis, and electives in number theory, graph theory and combinatorics, probability theory and geometry.
• Applied mathematics: a BS with emphasis on programming and mathematical modeling; quantitative upper-level courses in biology, chemistry, computer science, economics and physics can count toward the major. The website says 69% of applied mathematics majors double major.
• Mathematics-economics: a BA or BS offered jointly by the economics and mathematics departments (two department chairs are listed), with a choice of senior seminar in economics.
• Full course requirements: the course lists on the major pages load dynamically and are not in the pages read; see the major pages or the University’s course catalog.
• Research and study away: the department lists two study-away experiences, “Math and the Mouse” (Disney World, Florida) and “Breaking Codes and Winning Wars” (Washington, D.C., and England). Its home page prints 26 students involved in research projects over the last two years, an average class size of 12.4 beyond calculus, and 61% of mathematics majors with interdisciplinary or double majors.

2. How admission to the major works: apply to the University, declare after entry

• At application: the application FAQ says you do not have to declare a major when applying; undecided students are encouraged to explore a variety of disciplines. The pages read do not describe a separate admission line or cap for mathematics.
• Declaring the major: the website says students declare a major by the second semester of the sophomore year or the beginning of the junior year, working with an academic advisor meanwhile. Any grade requirement or extra department condition for declaring is not stated in the pages read.
• Moving into mathematics from another major: no specific conditions are stated in the pages read; please ask the department or the Registrar.

3. Prerequisites and courses

• University course expectations: the FAQ says a strong college preparatory programme should include at minimum four years of English, Algebra I and II, geometry, three years of social studies, at least three years of natural sciences, and at least two years of the same foreign language. In mathematics the stated minimum is Algebra I and II and geometry; precalculus and calculus are not in that minimum.
• Placement, AP/IB credit and honors sequences: none of these is described in the pages read; not published there, so please ask the department and the Registrar.
• Math competitions: how they are viewed in admission is not stated in the pages read.

4. Deadlines and application materials (first-year)

• Plans and deadlines: Early Decision I (binding) is due 1 November, with notification by 15 November and enrolment by 5 January; Early Action is due 1 November, notification by 20 December, reply by 1 May; Early Decision II (binding) is due 15 January, notification by 1 February, reply by 1 March; Regular Decision is due 15 January, notification by 15 February, reply by 1 May. The step table is labelled “2026–2027”; check that the dates apply to fall 2027 entry.
• How to apply and fee: the Common Application or the Coalition/SCOIR application; there is no application fee.
• Required materials: an official high school transcript and the School Report. Recommendation and essay requirements are not listed in the pages read; check the Common Application and Furman’s application page. Home-schooled students and early graduates must complete a Zoom interview.
• Testing: SAT or ACT scores are optional; with multiple results the committee uses the scores most advantageous to you. Scores can be self-reported and enrolling students must send official scores. School codes: SAT and TOEFL 5222, ACT 3858.
• Review: the website describes a holistic review of grades, rigor of curriculum, test scores (optional), activities and potential contribution to the community.

5. US domestic applicants

• Cost (2026-27): the cost page lists tuition $62,878, student fees $410, housing (weighted average) $10,440 and an unlimited meal plan $7,548, a total of $81,276 in direct costs; allowances of $1,250 for books, $1,100 for transportation and $1,300 for personal expenses bring the total estimated annual cost to $84,926. One tuition figure is listed with no in-state or out-of-state difference. The rates for fall 2027 entry are not stated in the pages read.
• Aid: the website says Furman meets 100% of demonstrated need for eligible students; merit awards (Presidential Scholarships, Academic Excellence Awards, Leadership Recognition Awards) are automatic with no separate application, and federal and South Carolina programmes are listed. First-year FAFSA priority dates: ED I 1 November, EA 15 November, ED II 15 January, RD 1 February. The page says 99% of students receive institutional aid and $70 million is invested annually.
• In-state priority or guaranteed admission: not stated in the pages read.

6. International applicants

• Dates and application: the same plans and deadlines as in section 4, through the Common Application or Coalition. The school transcript must be an official copy in English covering at least three full years of secondary study, and Furman may ask for a course-by-course NACES evaluation at the applicant’s expense.
• English proficiency (minimum scores): TOEFL iBT 100 (0–120 scale) or 5 (1–6 scale), IELTS 7.0, Cambridge English Advanced 180, Duolingo 120 (no Duolingo fee waivers). Other routes: the IB Diploma with a 5 or better in Higher Level English; two college-level English composition courses at a US college with C or better; SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 550; four full years of US secondary school with at least three years of English; or a letter from the school confirming English is the primary language of instruction. Citizens of the countries on the website’s list are exempt; mainland China is not in the list read.
• Financial documents: all international applicants complete the Furman Financial Information Form on the status page and submit the CSS Profile (no CSS Profile waivers).
• Interview: optional; Furman partners with Vericant and Initial View, whose recorded video interviews the admissions team reviews, and “highly recommends” them for non-native English speakers.
• International scholarship: the #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship recognises two international students with a vision for intercultural understanding, covering at least 50% of tuition and renewable; F-1 applicants apply through the status page by 1 February, are notified by 15 March and reply by 1 May.
• Need-based aid for international students: whether it is available is not stated in the pages read; please ask International Admissions.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: whether it is considered and how is not published on the pages read; please contact International Admissions.
• Transcripts and school-leaving materials: no China-specific requirements are published in the pages read; the general international requirements are in section 6 (official English transcript, three full years of secondary study, English test). Mainland China is not on the English-waiver country list, which should be checked for updates.
• International curricula: the IB Diploma with a 5 or better in Higher Level English counts as English proficiency; AP/IB credit for mathematics is not described in the pages read.

8. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• Costs: see section 5.
• Department scholarships: the pages read do not mention math-specific scholarships. The cost page says every student can apply for funding for internships, research and study away, and the department mentions summer research.
• Outcomes (the website’s own words): the mathematics page says many graduates earn advanced degrees in mathematics and allied fields and others find employment in data analysis, project management, health care and teaching. The applied mathematics page says 57% of applied mathematics majors went on to graduate school and 87% took part in a high-impact experience. For the University as a whole the cost page says 98% of graduates are employed or in graduate school within six months. The pages also quote salary averages from a third-party site, which are not repeated here.

9. Transfer students

• Deadlines: fall entry 15 July and spring entry 15 December, with rolling notification; the FAFSA priority date matches the application deadline; enrolment is due 31 July (fall) or 5 January (spring). The page shows no year, so check.
• Materials: the Common Application for transfer students, no application fee; the College Officials Report and all official college transcripts; a high school transcript (waived with 32 or more transferable semester hours or at age 21); SAT/ACT optional; FAFSA and CSS Profile are encouraged before the priority date.
• International transfer applicants: English results (the transfer page lists IELTS 7.0, CAE 180, Duolingo 120 and the other routes, with no TOEFL line, while the international first-year page lists TOEFL 100/5; the two differ, so ask International Admissions), the Financial Information Form and the CSS Profile.
• Math requirements and credit transfer: GPA or calculus-sequence requirements for entering mathematics and the credit transfer rules are not stated in the pages read; please contact the transfer coordinator or the department.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• ED I and EA 1 November; ED II and RD 15 January; no application fee; official transcript and School Report; SAT/ACT optional
• FAFSA (priority 1 November for ED I)

International applicants (including China):

• TOEFL 100 or 5 on the new scale, IELTS 7.0, Duolingo 120 or another accepted route; English transcript; Financial Information Form and CSS Profile
• Optional Vericant/Initial View interview; #YouAreWelcomeHere Scholarship by 1 February

After entry:

• Work with your academic advisor and declare mathematics, applied mathematics or mathematics-economics by the second semester of sophomore year or the start of junior year

Transfer students:

• Fall 15 July, spring 15 December; college transcripts and College Officials Report; confirm math entry conditions with the department

Sources: Furman University, Mathematics department; Mathematics major; Applied mathematics major; Mathematics-economics major; How to apply; International students; Transfer students; Tuition and fees. The first-year steps on the application page are labelled “2026–2027”; check that the dates apply to fall 2027 entry and see Furman’s website for the latest.