International Mathematical
Summer School for Students 2011
Supplementary Application Questions
Since admission to the summer school is highly selective, and we want
to design the program so as to best suit the needs of the applicants,
we would like to get to know you a little better. The following
questions can be answered in various ways: as plain text in an email,
using a text processor (LaTeX, word, etc.) and converted into a PDF
file, or handwritten and scanned. Please send us only plain text
(ASCII) or PDF files!
We like to know your interest in mathematics and how it possibly
relates to other areas of your interest. Your answer can be written
in free form, but the following question provide some guidance. We
are aware that not all of them can be answered by every student; this
is perfectly okay as we intend to admit students with a variety of
backgrounds.
- Describe three mathematical problems that you find the most
interesting.
- Is there a mathematical proof that impressed you because it is
beautiful or unexpected? Which one, and why?
- Describe one or two courses you have taken recently. What were
the main theorems (at most three)?
- Which mathematical books you have read/studied recently in some
depth? Specify title, authors, and topic. By your own estimate: how
well have you understood the material?
- Describe a few mathematical topics that you understand
well. Which of them would you like to investigate further?
- Specify a few mathematical topics about which you do not know
much, but which you would like to learn. Do you have any plans to do
so?
- During the last two years, did you participate in any scientific
activities, summer schools, math camps, etc.? If yes, please describe
the experience you had: what were the courses you attended? How well
did you understand the subject?
- Did you participate in any math competitions (national or
international)? If yes: which were your favorites? What are the best
results you have obtained during the last two years?
- Do you have any mathematics-related publications? Give exact
internet references or attach electronic copies.
- Participation Fee. Do you request financial support towards the
participation fee of
€400? If yes,
please explain. How much can you contribute yourself? We do not want
participation to be impossible for you for financial reasons. Note
that the participation fee will need to be paid by May 30, 2011.
- Travel Support. In exceptional cases, especially for people
traveling long distance, we might be able to contribute towards your
travel expenses (in cash in Bremen). Do you require travel support?
- Recommendation. We request at least one, better two
recommendations from someone who can write about your mathematical
abilities and how you would do at such an international summer school
(teacher, professor, olympiad coach). This recommendation should state
who the recommender is and how well he or she knows you. It should be
sent directly to us, as an email to
mathschoolapply@jacobs-university.de
or by fax to +49-421-200-493210, and include a copy of your
Application Cover
Sheet. This recommendation must reach
us by 4 May 2011!
- English Language Skills. Participants need to have a working
knowledge of English (limited support on English mathematical
terminology will be offered in selected languages). Please convince us
of your English language skills: either by proof that the language of
instruction (in the math courses) at your school/university is
English, or by scores in the TOEFL test (or similar), or by a letter
from your English teacher. This letter can be attached to your
application or be sent separately to us.
- For Legal Minors. If you are less than 18 years old or if you
are legally a minor in your country at the time of application, we
need a confirmation by a parent that they agree with your
participation: at this time, an email from them with contact
information suffices (for admitted students, we will need a
Parent Consent Form).
No rule without exception. We want to be flexible when we have to, in
exceptional cases. If there is a requirement you cannot satisfy,
please convince us why we should make an exception in your particular
case.
When starting the application process, fill in the
Application Cover
Sheet. You can then send in the full
application by replying to the confirmation email you receive. Please
try to keep file sizes small; a single PDF file containing all
documents is appreciated. You may also send all documents by fax to
+49-421-200-493210. The
Application Cover Sheet must be sent as the first page of any fax.
If you have questions, contact us at:
mathschool@jacobs-university.de
or by telephone: +49-421-200-3210.
We need to receive all material by May 4, 2011. As we plan to make
our admission decisions in the days immediately after, any information
received past the deadline cannot be processed. We will try to inform
you by May 10 whether you are admitted or on the waiting list.
We do not want places for participants to go unused. With your
application you state that this summer school has high priority for
you, so we will expect you to actually participate if admitted. If you
are interested in participating but are not certain about possible
conflicts, then please let us know in your application when you will
find out.
Please be prepared to supply the following information upon
notification of admission.
- Your Passport. Please scan your passport or identity card (the
page containing your personal data) and include this file as
attachment.
- Special Needs. Do you have any dietary or medical needs? Any
personal information that we need to know?
- Emergency Contact. (Email and telephone, with someone who speaks
English, German, French, or Russian.)
- For Legal Minors. One of your parents will have to fill in and
sign a Parent Consent
Form
and attach a scan
of the parent passport or identity card.
- Health Insurance.
The summer school does not provide insurance for medical care for
participants. Though the German National Health system would attend to
emergencies, it does not cover the expenses for foreigners (with the
exception of citizens of the European Union, with the corresponding
official medical identification). Be sure you have adequate accident,
health and travel insurance from your country.