How to Apply to Mathematics at Denison University: A B.A. in Mathematics, a B.S. in Mathematics and a B.S. in Applied Mathematics, with No Application Fee, No Supplemental Essay and Optional Test Scores, Plus Admission and Prerequisite Details for Domestic, International (Including China) and Transfer Students

Denison University (in Granville, Ohio) offers mathematics through the Department of Mathematics. The pages read do not place mathematics in a separate school or mention school-level admission. This guide follows Denison's websites and covers domestic students, international students, applicants from China and transfer students. Where the pages are silent, the guide says so. Computer science, data analytics and other related programs are not covered here.

1. Degrees and options

• Three majors: Denison says it offers "three majors and two minors": a B.A. in Mathematics, a B.S. in Mathematics and a B.S. in Applied Mathematics, plus a minor in each of Mathematics and Applied Mathematics.
• Mathematics versus applied mathematics: the department describes mathematics as ideal for those who enjoy abstract concepts and theory, with an emphasis on conceptual understanding and writing proofs, and applied mathematics as perfect for those who prefer applying theory in hands-on problem-solving.
• B.A. in Mathematics: six core courses plus four more: two "foundation" courses (from Combinatorics, Abstract Algebra, Advanced Linear Algebra, Real Analysis, Topology and Complex Analysis) and two "modeling" courses (from Operations Research, Statistical Modeling, Time Series Analysis, Probabilistic Modeling, Fourier Analysis, Advanced Differential Equations and Mathematical Modeling).
• B.S. in Mathematics: the core courses plus four foundation courses (one of which must be Real Analysis, MATH 440) and two additional 400-level courses.
• B.S. in Applied Mathematics: the core courses plus four modeling courses and two additional 400-level courses, one of which must be MATH 440.
• Core courses: Multivariable Calculus (MATH 145), Linear Algebra and Differential Equations (MATH 213), Applied Statistics (MATH 220) or Applied Probability (MATH 221), Introduction to Proofs (MATH 300), Introduction to Algorithm Design (CS 145) and Technical Communication I (MATH 395).
• Actuarial science: the department has an actuarial science page that recommends an applied mathematics major or minor with statistical theory, applied probability and statistical modeling, and time series analysis as electives, plus the analysis of risk course; the page does not describe a separate actuarial degree.
• Statistics: the department pages read do not list statistics as a separate major, only statistics courses (applied statistics, statistical modeling, statistical theory). Whether a separate statistics major exists is not published there; ask the department.
• Only one program in the department: Denison says students may pursue only one major or minor among all programs offered by the Department of Mathematics.
• Beyond the classroom: internships named on the pages include Carnegie Mellon, Discover Financial Services, JP Morgan Chase and Diamond Hill Investment Management; Summer Scholars provides a stipend, housing allowance and research funds; students can study or do research abroad; classes use RStudio, Mathematica, MatLab, Julia and LaTeX.

2. How admission to the major works

• Apply to the university, not a school or major: first-years apply through the Common Application or the Coalition Application, which Denison says it evaluates the same way. The pages read do not say whether the application asks for an intended major, or whether mathematics has its own cutoff or capacity; this is not published there, so ask admissions.
• When you become a math major: the department says that by the end of sophomore year students interested in any mathematics major should take MATH 135 and/or 145, followed by MATH 213, 220 and 300. The pages read do not state when the major is declared, a GPA threshold or capacity; check the university's course catalog or ask the department.
• 400-level limit: to keep access to upper-division classes equitable, students may enroll in at most two 400-level classes per semester.
• Overlap with other programs: a mathematics or applied mathematics minor needs two MATH courses at the 300 level or above not used for another major or minor; the B.A. needs three; the B.S. needs four. This applies only to four-credit courses and to students whose major or minor combinations overlap with the department's programs.

3. Prerequisites and courses

• High school mathematics: the pages read do not state a specific high school math requirement for the major.
• First course: Denison says students who have not had calculus in high school should start in MATH 130, and students who have had calculus start in MATH 135 or MATH 145 depending on placement score. The course listing shows MATH 135 with the prerequisite "Placement or MATH 130" and MATH 145 with "Placement or MATH 135". The format of the placement test and its cutoffs were not on the pages read.
• AP and IB credit: this guide did not read Denison's exam-credit rules for mathematics and they are not published on the pages read; ask admissions or the registrar.
• Honors: the department's "Honors & Awards" page lists prizes only; it does not describe an honors course sequence or honors graduation program.
• Courses taken elsewhere: see section 8.

4. Dates and materials

• Plans and deadlines: Early Decision 1 (15 November), Early Decision 2 (15 January) and Regular Decision (15 January). Early Decision is binding: admitted students must enroll and withdraw other applications. All decisions become final on 1 April, and appeals must be submitted before then. The pages carry no year, so confirm they apply to fall 2027 entry.
• Fee and essay: Denison says there is no application fee and no supplemental essay (the Common or Coalition application includes a personal essay).
• Recommendations and transcript: counselor recommendation and school report (required); official high school transcript (required, used to recalculate the GPA); at least one teacher evaluation from a core-course teacher (required). A math-teacher recommendation is not specifically required.
• Interview: recommended, not required; Denison says most successful applicants complete one.
• Tests: SAT and ACT scores have not been required since 2008; submitted scores are superscored.
• Math competitions: the pages read do not say how math competitions are viewed in admission; not published there.
• Arts supplement (optional): for cinema, creative writing, dance, music, visual arts or theatre; submitters become eligible for a departmental scholarship.
• Decision timing: the domestic page says Early Decision applicants hear about a month after each deadline and Regular Decision applicants by mid-March; the international page says within a few weeks and by late March. The two pages differ.

5. Domestic students

• Costs: Denison is private and the cost page lists one rate, with no in-state or out-of-state difference. For 2026-27: tuition USD 74,000, housing and food USD 18,400, total USD 92,400. For 2027-28: tuition USD 77,000, housing and food USD 19,400, total USD 96,400. There is also a USD 4,500 work-study allowance for personal expenses and books.
• Aid: Denison says it meets 100% of demonstrated need and automatically considers every applicant for merit scholarships; need is determined from the FAFSA and CSS Profile. The international aid page adds that merit scholarships range from USD 5,000 per year to full tuition and are awarded at admission.
• Department funding and research: Denison says the Anderson Foundation and the Denison University Research Foundation (DURF) support qualified students doing summer research, and Summer Scholars provides a stipend, housing allowance and research funds. Department awards listed are the Forbes B. Wiley Award, the John L. Gilpatrick Mathematics Award, the Chosaburo Kato Memorial Award and the Ethan D. and Hallie Roberts Memorial Award; amounts are not stated. The department also hosts the honor society Pi Mu Epsilon.
• State preference: the pages read do not state a preference for in-state applicants.

6. International students

• Application: Common or Coalition application; "international" means anyone who is not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.
• English proficiency: required. Denison considers English as the main language of instruction, English as first language, TOEFL iBT, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, SAT Reading, ACT English Language Arts and an interview; waivers are considered case by case. Minimum scores were not on the pages read.
• Certification of Finances: required of all international applicants, free, open from 1 October, submitted once through the applicant portal. Denison does not require or accept the CSS Profile from international applicants.
• Aid: international students are eligible for the same need-based aid and merit scholarships as domestic students, and Denison meets 100% of demonstrated need; Denison is need-aware in the application process. Need-based aid can be requested only during admission, and you check the aid box on the application.
• Credentials: the counselor sends the official transcript; for the counselor recommendation and school report, a teacher or other school official may submit them if there is no counselor. A third-party transcript evaluation is not mentioned on the pages read.
• Visa: admitted students who enroll receive an I-20 for an F-1 visa.
• Enrollment: about 17% of students are international, from more than 70 countries (another line says 73).

7. Applicants from China

• The pages read do not give China-specific transcript, Gaokao or Huikao requirements; this is not published there. The international page lists general requirements only. Contact international admission (internationaladmission@denison.edu).
• English proficiency, financial certification and aid rules are in section 6.

8. Transfer students

• Applying: the Common App for Transfer; Denison says there is no fee, no additional essay and no test score requirement. Required: official transcripts from every college attended, the final high school transcript and a student conduct report from each institution. An interview is recommended; an arts supplement is optional.
• Deadlines: spring (January start) 15 November; fall (August start) 15 April; rolling decisions in November and December (spring) and from April (fall); reply within two weeks of the decision. The page also says that if a deadline has passed (15 November for spring, "May 15" for fall) you can email to ask whether the round is still open; the fall dates of 15 April and 15 May do not match, so confirm.
• GPA: Denison does not publish a single minimum GPA; review is holistic, looking at college coursework, trends and rigor, and many successful applicants earn As and Bs.
• Transferring into mathematics: the pages read do not state calculus or linear algebra sequence or GPA requirements for transferring into the major; not published there.
• Credit: up to 62 credit hours of transfer credit (including study abroad), and 64 credit hours must be completed at Denison. Credit may count toward general education, electives, and major or minor requirements when approved by the department, which makes the final decision. Admitted students receive a transfer credit evaluation; international students' credits transfer depending on content and equivalency.
• Department rule on outside courses: Denison says students may take up to two classes outside the department to transfer toward the major; additional courses taken outside Denison may accrue credit hours toward graduation but do not contribute to major requirements. Courses taken outside the university must be pre-approved by the department chair, with syllabi provided at least two weeks before the first day of the class; students may petition for exceptions, and transfer students may be eligible to transfer additional courses toward major requirements.
• Aid: domestic transfers submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile by the application deadline; international transfers submit the Certification of Finances; merit aid needs no extra application.

9. Outcomes

• The department page says: "Denison math alums are software developers at Google and financial analysts at Bloomberg."
• The alumni and careers page lists employers and job titles, for example an Applied Scientist at Amazon, an Actuarial Assistant at Geico, an Analyst at Goldman Sachs and a Senior Researcher at Microsoft, and graduate schools and programs, for example Statistics MA and Mathematics of Finance MS at Columbia University and Statistics PhD at The Ohio State University. It gives no placement rate or salary figures.

Checklist

Domestic students:

• Common or Coalition application, no fee and no supplemental essay; Early Decision 15 November or 15 January, Regular Decision 15 January; SAT/ACT optional
• FAFSA and CSS Profile; start in MATH 130 if you have had no calculus; finish calculus by the end of sophomore year, then MATH 213, 220 and 300

International students and applicants from China:

• Prepare an English proficiency demonstration (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or other); submit the free Certification of Finances
• Need-based aid can be requested only at application; China-specific requirements are not published on the pages read, so contact international admission

Transfer students:

• 15 November (spring) or 15 April (fall); transcripts from every college and the conduct reports
• Up to 62 credits transfer; up to two courses from outside the department can transfer toward the major; outside courses need the chair's advance approval

Sources: Denison University, Mathematics (B.A., B.S.); Department overview; Degree requirements (2026-2027 catalog); Applied mathematics; Actuarial science advice; Honors and awards; Alumni and careers; Mathematics courses; Apply for admission; International applicants; International applicant financial aid; Transfer; Affordability and cost. The pages show no year for application dates; confirm they apply to fall 2027 entry. Check Denison for the latest.