The Center for Women in Mathematics

The Center for Women in Mathematics is a place for students to get intensive training in mathematics at the advanced level, and to learn in a community that is fun, friendly and serious about mathematics. Students can build the skills and confidence needed to continue on to graduate school in the mathematical sciences. The Center includes the Postbaccalaureate Program, the annual WIMIN Conference, and weekly lunch talks open to all (and associated with the course Dialogues in Mathematics).

Postbaccalaureate Program in Mathematics

About the Program

Students spend a semester or year at Smith, taking three math courses each term.

Standards include courses in analysis, algebra, statistics, number theory, combinatorics, graph theory, differential equations, complex analysis, topology and geometry. There are also topics courses reflecting the diverse interests of the faculty. In recent years, these have included relativity, analysis of algorithms, chaos and fractals, cryptography, mathematical sculpture, set theory and phyllotaxis. Participants may also take undergraduate and graduate courses at the neighboring campuses of Hampshire College, Amherst College, Mount Holyoke College, and the University of Massachusetts Amherst.

Postbaccalaureate students take a seminar together that includes a lecture series, undergraduate curriculum review, an introduction to mathematical research and writing, and discussions on career paths, applying to graduate school and taking the GREs.

Every student has the opportunity to join a research team, working on a project with a Smith faculty member. The projects and topics vary from year to year, and faculty supervising research introduce their projects at the start of the fall semester.

One of the most valuable aspects of visiting Smith is becoming part of the Smith mathematical community. Each student will have mentoring to help her find her place in the mathematical sciences.

Admission, Tuition & Aid

Application deadlines: March 15 for fall; October 15 for spring

Postbaccalaureate Program in Mathematics

2024–25

*This fee may be waived if you are a U.S. citizen with comparable health insurance that will cover you while in Massachusetts.
Fee	Cost
Application fee (at this time, waivers are not available for the application fee)	$60
Full academic-year tuition, 16 credits per semester (awards may vary)	$64,870
Tuition fee per credit (for fewer than 8 credits per semester)	$2,030
Health insurance* (coverage beginning August 15)	$3,400

Additional Information

The Postbaccalaureate Program in Mathematics is for women and gender minorities with bachelor’s degrees who did not major in mathematics or whose mathematics major was light. The program provides an opportunity to study mathematics intensively for two semesters at the advanced undergraduate level.

Applicants should have taken at least linear algebra and vector calculus and at least one mathematical course above the level of calculus.

The Postbaccalaureate Program is for all students with a serious interest in pursuing a higher degree in the mathematical sciences, who need additional undergraduate coursework to do so, and who would benefit from studying mathematics intensively in a supportive environment at the nation’s largest women’s college. The program is designed to make students graduate-school-ready in one year. Successful applicants will have completed at least Linear Algebra and Multivariable Calculus before enrolling in our program. Preference will be given to applicants who can demonstrate experience building positive community, especially in mathematical contexts, and who can demonstrate how a year in our program will complement their undergraduate experience and contribute to their later success in graduate school.

Full scholarships may be available for some applicants.

In addition to the scholarship, funding may be available for stipends, with priority given to students with financial need. If you wish to be considered for a small stipend, please submit a short description of your financial situation, explaining how additional financial support would benefit your work as a post-bac. Your reply should be no longer than two or three paragraphs.

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