Modern Mathematics - International Summer School
for Students
Application Information
Participation Details
- The summer school starts on 2 July 2013 (arrival day) and ends
on 12 July 2013 (departure day); the program begins on 3 July in
the morning and concludes on 11 July in the evening. Participation
is only possible for students who stay during the entire duration
of the school.
- The language of the school and the entire program will be
English; participants must be able to communicate freely in
English.
- The school is generously supported by VolkswagenStiftung and
Clay Mathematics Institute. The nominal contribution for
participants is €400; this this covers all activities for the
entire duration of the school, including accommodation, meals,
scientific program, and excursion. Nobody will be excluded for
financial reasons! We have fellowships available to support
deserving participants. These fellowships usually cover partly the
participation fee; limited support for travel expenses may be
available in exceptional cases.
Participation Requirements
- High school students should be no more than two years before
their high school graduation and must have a solid knowledge of
calculus.
- University students should not have completed more than two
years of university study.
- You must be able to communicate freely in English.
Important dates
| |
March 20 |
First application round closes |
| |
April 15 |
Second application round closes |
| |
until April 20 |
Notification of selected first application round
participants |
| |
May 10 |
Deposits due (instructions for bank transfer) |
| |
May 12 |
Notification of wait-list participants begins |
Application Process
Applications must be submitted via the electronic
application system. When you apply, be prepared to submit the following documents and
answer the following questions. Technical hints are given further below.Personal data
- Last name, first name, gender, date of birth
Participants who are less than 18 years old on the arrival date
will need the consent of their parents to participate and supply
their parents' contact data.
- Address and email-address
- High school: name, city, and country, year of graduation
- University: name, city, and country, year of enrollment
- Citizenship
- Visa information: Do you need a visa for Germany / the Schengen
states?
English Language Skills
Participants need to have a working knowledge of English. Please
convince us of your English language skills: either by proof that
the language of instruction (in your mathematics courses) at your
school/university is English, or by scores in the TOEFL test (or
similar), or by a letter from your English teacher. If your native
language is English or if you are at an English-speaking high
school or university, please document that to us.
Information about yourself and your mathematical interests
Selection of participants will be based to a large extend on
their mathematical interests and background. Please take your time
and think carefully about answering the following questions.
- Personal Statement: Explain us in a few words who you
are and what are your motivations to attend our summer school.
- Three Problems: Describe two or three mathematical
problems that you find the most interesting. Please explain clearly
what these problem are, and why they do interest you. (We expect to
read here about problems that you can fully or almost fully
understand; please also explain if, and how well, you understand
the proofs.) Moreover, is there a recent theorem or open conjecture
that you have heard of and that you find particularly exciting?
Please explain.
- A proof: Is there a mathematical proof that impressed
you because it is beautiful or unexpected? Which one, and why?
- Courses: Describe one or two courses you have taken
recently. What were the main theorems (at most three)?
- Books: 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?
- Topics: Describe a few mathematical topics that you
understand well. Which of them would you like to investigate
further?
- Topics to learn: 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?
- Scientific activities: 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?
- Mathematical events: Did you participate in any
mathematical events (national or international)? If yes: which were
your favorites? What are the results you obtained during the last
two years (in case of competitions)? This is not required, just in
order to know more about you.
- Publications: We are aware that at your age, very few of
you have already published. Just in case, if you have any
mathematics-related publications, please, give exact internet
references or attach electronic copies. (Not required.)
Recommendations
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. This letter must
be submitted through the electronic application system by the
recommender or be sent separately to us. Please note that we will
not be able to read more than two recommendation letters per
applicant.
All documents must be submitted in pdf format.
The application system is hosted by the American Mathematical
Society and is used by many programs and institutions. To apply,
you must complete the following steps.
- Create an account and fill in the standard cover
sheet
When you go to the electronic
application system, you will be asked to create an account or
log into an already existing account. After entering your login
credentials, you will be asked to "Create A New Standard
Coversheet". It is sufficient to enter only the mandatory fields;
the question about U.S. residency should be ignored.
- Enter the names of your recommenders
On the standard cover sheet, you must add the names and email
addresses of your recommenders. Once you complete your application,
you can invite them electronically to submit their letters.
However, we strongly suggest that you talk to your recommenders in
advance. The names of your recommenders can be completed or changed
at a later time. We accept letters by regular mail or by fax;
however, we suggest using electronic submission via the application
system whenever possible. An example of a properly completed
standard cover sheet is provided here.
- Complete the MOMISSS program questionnaire
Once the cover sheet is completed, you can proceed to the program
application page. The questionnaire on this page is
self-explanatory. There is some redundancy with the standard cover
sheet, but note that the information on this page is what we use
for our internal purposes, so fill in this page with care. You will
have the option to upload the answers to the 10 application
questions above and your English language certificate (if
necessary). Moreover, you will be presented with the option to send
letter request emails to your recommenders.
Using your login, you can always go back and update your
application, add a new recommender, or withdraw from the
application process if necessary.
|
