How challenging is the math at different colleges?

I've been told that the difficulty of math can vary greatly depending on which college you attend. Can anyone share their experiences or insights about this? I'm fairly good with math in high school but want to prepare myself for the possible leap in complexity.

Mathematics can indeed differ in its challenge level and application from one college to another. When approaching college-level math, you should be prepared for a deeper, more conceptual understanding of the material.

Many will note a shift from the step-by-step problem-solving in high school to a more theoretical understanding in college. Some schools may focus on theory right from the introductory courses, while others ease you into it, focusing more on computation before delving into abstract concepts.

As it goes, larger, research universities commonly lean towards theoretical instruction in their mathematics departments. Contrastingly, liberal arts colleges may provide a more balanced approach, focusing on practical applications alongside theory.

Also, interdisciplinary programs like computational sciences or financial mathematics might be more applied and might involve substantial programming or modelling in conjunction with math.

Lastly, colleges' math curriculum can differ substantially based on the professor teaching the course. Some might give emphasis to proofs and derivations, while others might concentrate more on problem solving and applications.

One good approach to determine the level of challenge at different colleges is looking at the past syllabi or textbooks used in their math classes. That could give an idea about the complexity and teaching style you can expect.

Ultimately, regardless of where you end up, you can expect college math to be more rigorous than high school math. It's always a good idea to self-study and review fundamental concepts before starting college. Cultivating good study habits will also pay dividends.