Importance of Summer Programs

ktong777
Sat, 06 Apr 2019 16:21:57 +0000

@curiousme2 I was originally hoping to qualify for MOP in June, which would’ve been free aside from the plane ticket, but I wasn’t able to qualify for USAMO this year, so that’s off my list now. I’m thinking about trying out the AwesomeMath Summer Program (AMSP) this summer since I’ve heard their level 3 classes are extremely beneficial for my level. After looking through the application process and reading some posts, I found out that it’s actually very easy to get into AMSP as long as you fill out everything, which was not what I was expecting. I’m sort of having second thoughts about doing AMSP now since it’s so expensive.

For research, I’m thinking about reaching out to local professors in my area to see if they would be open to taking me in for research. If not, I’m also doing research at CrowdMath (online program), which has been quite interesting for me.

@skieurope I agree doing a summer program just to have it on college apps isn’t worthwhile. I’d love to participate in AMSP, but the cost seems way too expensive, and also it might interfere with my performance in the Breakthrough Junior Challenge. On top of that, I’d end up having to do my finals a week early if I participate in the program and I’d miss graduation night (for my sister).

@curiousme2 @skieurope Thank you both for your inputs! Honestly thinking about it now, I doubt participating in AMSP would really boost my application much, and I could probably obtain the same results through self-study. I’ll probably try to find a job or do research with a local professor in June instead.