<p>I’m thinking of applying to PROMYS, but I’m not sure that if I make it in (and that’s a big IF) that I’ll be able to handle the work. I’m taking precalculus in school (but the class is really slow and I’m not learning much) and I’m taking a number theory class outside of school which I find extremely difficult.</p>
<p>So I was wondering how hard the PROMYS classes are because there are number theory lectures every morning. </p>
<p>If you went to PROMYS, how hard is it to keep up with the work? I don’t want to apply to PROMYS, get accepted, go there, and not be able to follow anything.</p>
<p>Also, if you went to PROMYS, what’s your background in mathematics? What classes did you take before you went there? Competitions?</p>
<p>Just apply to the program and then see if you are accepted or not. Generally if you are accepted into a program then you can handle the work, but it is up to you to put the time in.</p>
<p>AIME and promys are not related. AIME is purely competition math and is based on knowing tricks of the trade and basically doing a lot of problems. PROMYS is theoretical math, something completely different. If you actually lag in math then promys probably is not good for you, but idk what lag means.</p>
<p>Well obviously they won’t accept me if they don’t think I can handle the work. I took the AMC 10 for the first time February 10 and got slightly under 120 (unofficial) and I’m taking it again on Wednesday. I’m okay at competition math but not so sure about theoretical. Like ras22 said, competition math is doing problems and knowing tricks but number theory is a lot of proofs and it’s entirely different.</p>
<p>ras22:
I looked at the problems and I think I can solve them if I put enough time into it. Should I ask my math teacher if he thinks I’ll be able to handle it? That would be the person I would ask for a recommendation if I decide to apply.
Have you ever attended PROMYS or applied to it or do you know anyone who has?</p>
<p>I have attended Ross, which is a similar program(PROMYS is an offshoot of Ross). Honestly you are sending mixed messages so I can’t fairly judge you. Do you lag behind in math or do you excel? Are you the type of person that will put in a lot of work because that is what this type of program requires? If you are looking to learn a lot of math and work hard then this program is for you. If you are looking to learn some math, but mostly have fun with other teens(like a sleep-away camp) then this program probably is not for you. I would just apply to the program, see if you get in and then decide if you think you should go. There is no real harm in applying.</p>
<p>What’s definitely important at Ross, and presumably important at PROMYS, is a willingness to work steadily and THINK about what you are doing. You keep trying to work on problem sets more even when you feel stuck. If you learn to do that, and enjoy gaining insight by “thinking deeply about simple things,” you’re golden. The application quiz is designed to give you a chance to observe your own behavior in that regard.</p>
<p>I excel in math at school. However, I feel that it moves at a very slow pace. I definitely want to learn math over the summer and not just “hang out” with other people. I think I’ll apply and see how it goes. About how long should the test take me to do? About a month?</p>
<p>I would allow a few days for a teacher to write a recommendation. You might also look at “Awesome Math Camp” which is rather along the same lines as Promys, but perhaps a little less difficult to get into (partly because it is new and less well known).</p>
<p>Don’t want to hijack this thread, but i think this might be somewhat relevant.</p>
<p>I’m also taking precalculus right now, but I’m a junior already. I can grasp math concepts easily…or at least I have been grasping them quickly. I really don’t know how well I would do in more advanced mathematics. My precalculus teacher signed me up for the UMD Math Competition and AMC 12, but I failed to advance on both occasions :/. I’ve taken a look at the application problems and I really don’t know if I could solve them. I feel like a lot of them go back to a few basics, but I might have to refresh my memory to get a slight grasp on them. Should I apply? If I do, how long should I spend on each of the problems before giving up(or is giving up not an option)?</p>
<p>There is no harm in applying so just do it. Some of the problems are probably based on fairly elementary concepts, but ones used in odd ways. Unless you have done a lot of contest or advanced math do not try your normal approach to solving the problems because it most likely won’t work. Try to think of new approaches and tools to use, and always remember they do not expect you to finish all of them.</p>
<p>Indeed - apply to all the camps you might like. You might look at the test for Awesome and if you find it interesting, you might Awesome. Ditto Promys.</p>