<p>Arguably, Ross, Promys, MathCamp, and HCISSM are comparable in terms of selectivity or prestige - in most cases, you don’t hear about one without hearing about the other three. </p>
<p>PROMYS and Ross are most similar, since PROMYS was intended to be a continuation of Ross in the event that the Ross program was canceled. Ross is rumored to “easier” to get into, since fewer people apply due to length and location, but the crop of students at both camps are very competent 
MathCamp receives the most applicants every year, and I’ve heard only positive things about it!
HCISSM is the smallest camp out of all the four, and it attracts a slightly different group of campers, but supposedly it’s very good as well.</p>
<p>It’s very difficult to compare the camps and rank them, but most people claim that Ross and PROMYS more closely resemble the “graduate” experience while MathCamp resembles the “undergrad” experience in terms of how the camp is run. If you think you can enjoy delving into one topic for 6-8 weeks straight, then I would highly recommend Ross or PROMYS. MathCamp and HCISSM offer a greater variety, but still delve deeply into the topics covered.</p>
<p>If you solved the majority of the problems for the Ross application, you probably have a reasonably good shot at acceptance. Don’t forget to make sure your logic is rigorous If you’re dead set on attending a math camp this summer, I would recommend applying for at least one other camp since admission is never a sure thing. </p>
<p>Don’t worry about affirmative action or the like, although girls have a slightly better chance at acceptance.</p>