MATHEMATICAL METHODS IN THE SOCIAL SCIENCES

Why did you apply to MMSS?
Like a lot of MMSS majors, I came into college knowing I loved math. But at 18 years old, that seemed to mean picking between two extremes: either use math to build things as an engineer, or go deep into abstract theory as a math major. Initially, I picked engineering, but with little confidence in my choice. When I learned about MMSS, I knew I had found the perfect fit. MMSS gave me the opportunity to take on challenging quantitative problems – the kind I had always enjoyed – but with a constant focus on real-world questions and real-world impact.

How has MMSS prepared you for graduation?
At its core, the MMSS major is about breaking complicated problems into their fundamental parts – and then building a story using data and numbers. Where you choose to apply this skill set is up to you. For me, it was political science. My first experience with Political Science research was in Professor Clipperton’s Formal Models in Social Science course my freshman year. It was the first time I saw how powerful the tools we were learning in MMSS could be in explaining how the world works. Three years later, I’m starting my masters in a quantitative political science program in the fall – a path tracing directly back to that class.

What have you enjoyed most about MMSS?
MMSS brings together people who are passionate about a multitude of subjects – the only thing we have in common is being part of MMSS. That means you’re surrounded by incredibly smart people interested in all sorts of topics. This is perhaps most visible in MMSS thesis projects – in my cohort, topics ranged from finance to housing to baseball to marijuana. Over my four years, I’ve gotten to know some of these people incredibly well. My problem set partner from sophomore year is someone I remain close with – we regularly share videos and ideas. I know the connections I’ve made in MMSS will persist long after graduation.

Why did you apply to MMSS?
I applied to MMSS because my older brother was in the Integrated Science Program (ISP) and spoke so highly about the strong sense of community he experienced. Science was never quite my thing, but I was always drawn to math and social science. When I learned about MMSS, it felt like the perfect counterpart for me. I was excited by the opportunity to be part of a small, tight-knit cohort where collaboration is built into the learning process. Looking back, I was absolutely right about the community; some of my closest friendships at Northwestern formed through MMSS.

How has MMSS prepared you for graduation?
I'm not sure I'll ever need to run a regression from scratch or prove a theorem in my day-to-day life—and that's okay. What MMSS really taught me was how to think. It pushed me to approach problems, break them down into smaller parts, and figure out a path forward. The coursework was rigorous, and sometimes overwhelming, but it gave me confidence in my ability to work through ambiguity. More than anything, MMSS helped me build a mindset: one that values precision, resilience, and intellectual curiosity. That's something I know I'll carry with me no matter where I go.

What have you enjoyed most about MMSS?
The community, without a doubt. MMSS attracts some of the most brilliant and driven people I've ever met, but more importantly, they're also some of the kindest, funniest, and most supportive. I loved laughing with classmates during office hours in the MMSS lounge, where even the hardest problem sets felt a little more manageable when tackled together. It's moments like those that made MMSS more than just a major. It was a group of people I could learn with, grow with, and genuinely enjoy spending time with. That sense of camaraderie is what I'll miss the most.