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The mother of a child at our high school just called asking if I knew of any summer math programs. Her son is taking BC Calculus as a sophomore, does extremely well in math competitions, and would love to spend his summer doing math. Although my boys have never been interested in such intense math programs, I've run across some and told her to check Ross, PROMYS, and Mathcamp. Marite, I know your son has attended PROMYS. Does anyone know anything about these or others? Thanks

By Max5 (Max5) on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 04:18 pm: Edit

I had to register just so I could answer this question. :b, ;)

My son attended the Ross program for 4 summers running. He loved it there, though it is a very intense program and one must REALLY want to learn to do well with it. College credit can be earned through the program. The program concentrates on Number Theory the first year, but lectures are given on various topics and other topics offered in later years.

My son never took the credit option for $$ reasons, but even so, he's being given credit with his college anyways. The math advisor had him hand in his work from those summers, had it 'graded' and handed it back telling him he had credit for 1030 or 40 or something like that. He also allowed placement into the second semester Abstract Algebra based on prior knowledge, gained primarily through the Ross program.

This is not a program for fun and games type kids. For those who really love math, can handle some failures, and don't mind immersing themselves 24/7 into the subject, it's great. It is not intended for 'competition math' programs. Those sorts of programs concentrate on different types of learning.

This is also a very independent sort of environment. There are counselors and jr counselors widely available. They are all dormed together in one building. They have group study sessions as needed.

Entertainment is minimal. They have a Friday game of ultimate frisbee once a week. They 'attempt' to have a few outings during the summer, generally small type things, ie, fireworks and a picnic for the 4th or perhaps ice skating at the U rink. They are asked not to bring TVs or computers, (except counselors who often bring puters for college reasons).

I'd be glad to answer any questions that I can on the program, or play tag with my son if I can't answer the questions. The net site can be found at: http://math.osu.edu/ross/introduction.html

Need to make one other small note. It seems to me my son mentioned that they started putting all first years into a credit, pass/fail system. I'd have to ask him though, to learn more about it. When he started, credit was still an option, and we chose to save the $$ at the time.

By Marite (Marite) on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 04:43 pm: Edit

PROMYS is based on the Ross program, so there are lots of similarities, including the problem sets and the pedagogy as well as the lack of real entertainment!. Other math programs include USA-Canada Mathcamp, and the Hampshire College Summer Math program (I'm not sure of its correct name). A search for summer/saturday programs on Hoagiesgifted.org will yield more information about camps in different parts of the country.

Max5: I'm glad to hear that your S got into Abstract Algebra on the strength of his number theory course. I talked to the prof who offers it at Harvard and decided to send my S to a math proof course first. He will take Classical Geometry this coming semester and wait until next fall for the Abstract Algebra course. I sure hope he will do well in it.

By Max5 (Max5) on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 05:02 pm: Edit

Marite: I just wanted to clarify. The point was that although Number Theory is the primary center of the Ross program, particularly for the first years, other learning goes on there.

Ds was not placed in the Abstract Algebra based only on Number Theory. He had some Abstract Algebra covered at the Ross program, though not for credit. As I said, he attended 4 summers. He covered a lot of misc. material. He also had quite a few college math credits coming into his freshman year from internet courses he took in high school.

My son attended the 1st day of class for the first semester Abstract Algebra in the fall. He came out of the class and walked over to see the math advisor. It was discussed and determined that the second semester class would be a more appropriate placement for him. He's only met in that class once so far, but seems comfortable that he'll be fine with it. And yes, I credit the Ross program with the placement. It really is a great place to learn.

By Marite (Marite) on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 05:15 pm: Edit

Max5:

Thanks for the clarification. I take it your son is now in college? Would you mind saying where?

My own S is a 10th grader who plans to graduate early. He is also hoping to attend a second semester of PROMYS where he will have three as yet to be determined seminars (last summer it was Abstract Algebra, Euclidian Geometry and Combinatorics). I hope this year a different set is offered, as my S will be able to take coures on two out of these three topics through Harvard Extension. We're now trying to identify colleges where he will be able to take graduate level courses while still an undergraduate.

By Chinaman (Chinaman) on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 05:21 pm: Edit

Martie:

If I am correct, your son has done Calculus while he was in junior high school. It will be nice to know from you where he chooses to major as a undergrad.

By Marite (Marite) on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 05:50 pm: Edit

Chinaman:

Where my son ends up--aside from the fact that he will need to be accepted--will have to do with non-academic issues as much as academic ones. For example, I like the Core curriculum of the University of Chicago very much. But Chicago is cold and the university is not located in a very safe neighborhood. Harvard has a lot to offer, but my S may decide that it is too close to home. So far he has not said it is a concern. Stanford, in contrast, may be both too suburban and too far from home. Berkeley is too big for his taste, so this may also strike out University of Michigan and of Wisconsin.
Williams has a terrific math program but it is cold, remote and the range of courses may not suit his needs. Harvey Mudd is not cold, but it is far, and we will also have to find out more about the courses. Princeton and Yale are okay in terms of size, distance, location and program. But will they want our S?
All this to say that where my S goes to college is not entirely his choice, or his choice may not have to do with math.

By Max5 (Max5) on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 06:23 pm: Edit

Marite:

I'm not familiar with this forum, and would rather not give out too much info here. If you wish to email me, I just took out a hotmail addy specifically for this discussion. I will likely let the account die it's 4 week death once it has served it's purpose. In that more private format, I would be more willing to discuss his U, (yes, he's in college now), and why's for that U.

At any rate, the addy is: blanked by mod

I will venture to say that my son's college choice was based on various factors, (including the grad course issue you face). You are wise to look beyond a name.

Max, CC has a few rules and one of them is not to allow the posting of private emails in the posts. It is, however, permitted to point towards your email listed in your profile. I allowed enough time for Marite to jot your suggested email down. BTW, welcome to our boards.
Moderator Trinity

By Over30 (Over30) on Wednesday, January 07, 2004 - 09:20 pm: Edit

Thanks Max5 and Marite! I knew someone would come through. I'll pass this on to the mother and son.

By Texas137 (Texas137) on Thursday, January 08, 2004 - 09:29 pm: Edit

Wait, I want to plug USA-Canada Mathcamp! My son has gone for the past 3 summers, and it's been the highlight of his year. It is much more varied than the number theory camps like PROMYS and Ross Young. The instructors offer a wide range of courses varying in length from one lecture to every day for 6 weeks. They choose topics they are interested in and want to share. Sudents choose what they want to do smorgosbord-style. No credit, because the courses tend not to follow the usual high school/early college sequence. It's often very high level stuff that would normally not be encountered until late college or grad school.

By Suvp (Suvp) on Wednesday, January 21, 2004 - 10:28 pm: Edit

My son is keen on Math and Science and has been taking higher grade papers at the 9th grade level. His school has permitted him to take the IB Diplome Exams and suggested an early graduation(at the end of his 11 th Grade). With an IB Diplome, and a 11 Grade High School transcript, what are his chances of entering any University without a break..? If anyone can guide me on this, I shall be most obliged..

By Over30 (Over30) on Saturday, January 24, 2004 - 02:07 am: Edit

I had to dig up this thread to say I ran into the child in question in the parking lot at school and he said after much research, debate and problems with scheduling, he has decided to go to USA-Canada Mathcamp. He said to say thanks for all the information. He also wants to apply to RSI next summer and I will direct him to that thread. Thanks everyone.