Modern Mathematics - International Summer School for Students

Application Information

Participation Details

• The summer school starts on 4 July 2015 (arrival day) and ends on 14 July 2015 (departure day); the program begins on 5 July in the morning and concludes on 13 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

Application Process

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.

1. Personal Statement: Explain us in a few words who you are and what are your motivations to attend our summer school.
2. 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, and not about famous conjectures.)
3. A proof: Is there a mathematical proof that you fully understand which impressed you because it is beautiful or unexpected? Which one, and why?
4. Courses: Describe one or two courses you have taken recently. What were the main theorems (at most three)?
5. Books, videos, and websites: Which mathematical books you have read/studied recently in some depth? Do you follow any mathematical website or blog? Have you been watching mathematical videos recently? By your own estimate: how well have you understood the material?
6. Topics: Describe a few mathematical topics that you understand well. Which of them would you like to investigate further?
7. 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?
8. 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?
   Do you organize running seminars to learn new subjects? Have you ever given a “public” talk to other students like you? If the answer is yes, what was it about?
9. 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.
10. 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.)
11. You and the world of research: Is there a recent theorem or open conjecture that you have heard of and that you find particularly exciting? Please explain. (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 generally will not read more than two recommendation letters per applicant.

Letters of recommendation must be in English.

Technical Information

1. Apply an account
   When you go to the electronic application system, you will first need to provide your email address. You will receive an account password by email immediately. Upon first login, please complete your profile information.
2. Select the program
   Go to “Application > Create New Application > Bremen 2015”
3. Fill in personal and administrative information
4. Enter the names of your recommenders
   You can enter the names and email addresses of up to three recommenders (at least one is required). The recommenders will then receive instructions on uploading their letters by email. We accept letters by regular mail or by fax; however, we strongly suggest using electronic submission via the application system whenever possible.
5. Complete the MOMISSS program questionnaire
   Once the application form is complete, you can proceed upload the answers to the 11 application questions above and your English language certificate (if necessary).

• Continue to the electronic application system.
• For questions or to report problems, please contact us at mathschool@jacobs-university.de.