Ross students typically attend eight hours of class per week, and they schedule their free time to work on the rigorous and difficult problem sets that the teacher assigns.
A seminar (similar to a study session discussion in groups of about 13) and frequent special lectures (mostly optional) are other activities that take place during the day. Presentations on the 3n 1 conjecture, quaternions, and Bernoulli Numbers were covered in earlier special lectures.
The typical day is comparable to a typical college day. You have time to work (ideally on math) after the one or two hours of morning classes. Ross should not be considered by anyone who is unwilling to work on math for at least 6 hours per day. The weekends do not have classes. The majority of people use their free time to finish up work from the previous week.
Due to the recreationless nature of the program, the Ross Program is generally regarded as the most demanding and rigorous number theory program in the United States. Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists and Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics are two programs that are slightly less competitive and/or balanced.
S-Tier: Must Go If Admitted
1) MOSP (Math Olympiad Summer Program) Program Dates: TBD Summer 2021Registration Deadlines: Varies, but the absolute last deadline for registering for the late registration of the AMC 10/12 B exam is Jan 9th – 13th, 2021****Dates are for registration in the US only. International registration dates differ depending on region.
Because it produces the US team that competes in the International Mathematical Olympiad (IMO), the world’s most difficult high school math competition, the Math Olympiad Summer Program is the most selective math summer program in the US. Students must first pass either the AMC 10 or AMC 12 exam with a score high enough to qualify for the AIME (American Invitational Mathematics Exam), in order to be eligible for MOSP. A student then qualifies for the USAJMO/USAMO competitions (USA Junior Mathematical Olympiad/USA Mathematical Olympiad) if their combined AMC 10/12 AIME scores are high enough. The winners of this competition are invited to the MOSP.
As you can see, becoming eligible for the MOSP is a very difficult and lengthy process. The summer program is only open to the 60 or so high school students who are the absolute best in mathematics. The fact that there is no application process and that it is free to attend are the only advantages of attempting to qualify for this program over the other programs on this list. Students only qualify based on their performance in the aforementioned mathematics competitions; there are no essays required. If you qualify for the AIME, taking the AMC 10/12 exams may be beneficial for admission to certain STEM schools. You may want to consider doing so. I’ll reiterate that IF you can qualify, you must attend because the vast majority of readers here won’t be this level of math genius.
A-Tier: The Big Three
2) PROMYS (Program in Mathematics for Young Scientists) Program Dates: Online – July 4th – August 14th (six weeks)Application Deadline: April 1st, 2021Cost: $2,500 (financial aid available)International Students: Yes
3) The Ross Program at Ohio State Program Dates: Online – June 21st – August 6th (six weeks)Application Deadline: April 1st, 2021, Applications read starting March 1st, 2021Cost: $1,500 (financial aid available)International Students: Yes
4) SUMaC (Stanford University Math Camp) Program Dates: Online – Session 1: June 21st – July 9th, Session 2: July 19th – August 6thApplication Deadline: March 10th 2021Cost: $3,250 (financial aid available)International Students: Yes
Even though the Big 3 summer programs are less competitive than MOSP, getting into them is still very difficult. Each program%E2%80%99s acceptance rate is under 10%, making it about on par with many Ivy League undergraduate admissions rates As a result, many of the best universities in America, especially those that focus on STEM, have a very positive attitude toward students who have participated in these summer programs. For students who want to deepen their understanding of mathematics, these are some of the most demanding and rewarding camps available.
Ross and PROMYS have a similar emphasis on research, justifications, and number theory. Although these abilities may be helpful for the USAMO competition, the work done at these camps typically doesn’t directly translate to better preparation for math competitions. Instead, they emphasize topic exploration and the verification process. The topics that SUMaC offers are different, with a lesser emphasis on number theory. They have two programs that explore different topics. While Program II focuses primarily on topology with a small amount of group theory, Program I focuses on abstract algebra, group theory, and a little bit of number theory. While research exploration is encouraged, none of these programs will result in a research-level paper or project that you can submit to research competitions (these topics may vary slightly from year to year). The majority of them are explorations of previously studied subjects, which is still very useful.
Due to the difficulty of all three programs, you can anticipate receiving a lot of homework to complete in between classes. While there is definitely time for socializing, most of it is spent working on projects and problem sets. Many students form study groups to support one another as they work through the challenging homework. These courses are undoubtedly some of the best ones that students can take in order to really push themselves in the field of mathematics.
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B-Tier: Competitive, Challenging Experiences
5) Canada/USA Mathcamp Program Dates: Online, July 3rd – August 8th (5 weeks) Application Deadline: Information released January 29thCost: $1,500 (significant financial aid available)International Students: Yes
6) AwesomeMath Program Dates: Online, Session 1: June 7th – June 25th, Session 2: June 28th – July 16th, Session 3: July 19th – August 6thApplication Deadline: Early deadline: January 24th, Regular deadline: March 28th, Late deadline: May 16thCost: $875 – $995 per course (discounts given for early applicants)International Students: Yes
7) HCSSiM (Hampshire College Summer Studies in Mathematics) Program Dates: June 27th – August 7thApplication Deadline: Rolling but usually run out of spots in mid AprilCost: $4,913 (financial aid available)International Students: Yes
There are undoubtedly reasons to support moving some of these programs up the rankings, but this is the position I gave them in terms of their value as an admissions tool. Despite the fact that overall these programs are less competitive than those in Tier 2, Mathcamp is close. Although AwesomeMath and Hampshire College are slightly less competitive than other schools, these two emphasize relationships and experience more than academic standing.
AwesomeMath is very different from other programs because it focuses almost entirely on competition mathematics. Many of the instructors had significant involvement in IMO, USAMO, and other math competitions, so they had firsthand knowledge of the competitions. This program is for you if you want to improve your AMC/AIME/USAMO scores. The emphasis at Mathcamp and HCSSiM is more on independently exploring math topics and developing a passion for it. Students can choose their own math adventures at Mathcamp, and there is plenty of time for socializing, projects, and other math-related activities. Instead of emphasizing competition preparation, HCSSiM also emphasizes enjoying math for the love of the subject, but with a more eccentric bent. After being divided into two workshops, students can later select the mini courses they’re most interested in. The HCSSiM “Interesting Test” uses nerdy quizzes and methods to get students to think critically. Several planned student events help them to promote the sense of community on campus.
Although they won’t get you noticed as much as a Tier 2 program, these programs are respected by other math programs and are likely to be recognized by admissions offices. However, developing a strong relationship with a professor there could result in an outstanding supplemental recommendation letter. These programs can be excellent for enhancing your resume as you prepare to apply to one of the Big 3 programs the following summer.
C-Tier: Great for Younger High School Students
8) Mathworks at Texas State Program Dates: June 27th – July 31stApplication Deadline: April 15th, 2021Cost: In person – $800/week, Virtual – $500/weekInternational Students: Yes
9) MathILy at Bryn Mawr College Program Dates: July 2021 (Exact dates and online/residential TBD)Application Deadline: April 27th, 2021Cost: if online – $2,150, if residential – $4,800 (financial aid available)International Students: Yes
10) Prove It! Math Academy Program Dates: closed for 2021Application Deadline: N/ACost: N/AInternational Students: Yes
**11) MathPath Program Dates: June 27th – July 25th at Mount Holyoke CollegeApplication Deadline: Rolling but recommend applying before mid-MarchCost: $5,200 (financial aid available)International Students: Yes
These programs are not quite as competitive as the ones mentioned above; Mathworks’ application doesn’t even include a problem set. Although the admissions value of participating in these programs as an experience on your resume is less, they may still open some doors to recommendations, other programs, or scholarships. These courses can be a great place for young students to explore their interests in mathematics while also continuing to challenge students mathematically.
These are the programs that I am aware of, though there may be a few more that fall into this category. If you just genuinely love math and want to strive for excellence in the subject, these programs can be a fantastic way to spend your summer vacation. But the virtual programs might not be worth the money without the residential experience and community components.
Mathpath is primarily intended for middle school students because it is designed for students aged 11 to 14. It’s a good option for anyone looking to get a head start with younger students, and many of the students there go on to more difficult high school math programs, like its sibling program, Canada/USA MathCamp.
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FAQ
Is Ross Math Program prestigious?
Since the Ross Program’s founding, graduates have a history of going on to hold prominent research positions in the field of mathematics and are regarded as having a significant influence among mathematicians.
How do you get into Ross Math Camp?
School records, teacher recommendations, essays about the applicant’s interests and goals, and the applicant’s work on some difficult math problems are some of the factors used to make admission decisions. Both graduate and undergraduate math majors are encouraged to apply to work as Ross Counselors.
Is Mathcamp competitive?
Application Process Admission to Mathcamp is competitive. The Qualifying Quiz, a set of five to ten math problems that are meant to be challenging and thought-provoking, is the application’s focal point.
How hard is it to get into SUMaC?
- “A high GPA, not just high math grades, but anything above that ”.
- “High standardized scores, particularly in math portions.”
- “A demonstrable passion for math through extracurriculars like math competitions.”
- “Attendance of prior math camps.”