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
|
January 31 |
First application round closes |
|
from March 14 |
Notification of accepted participants |
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, and not about famous conjectures.)
- A proof: Is there a mathematical proof that you fully
understand which 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, 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?
- 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?
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?
- 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.)
- 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.
The application system is hosted by the European Campus of
Excellence (ECE). ECE organizes various programs, typically for
Master and PhD students, so there are questions that will not apply
to you. In particular, you may completely ignore the five items listed
under “Please prepare the following PDF documents”; instead, follow
the steps listed below.
- 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.
- Select the program
Go to “Application > Create New Application > Bremen
2015”
- Fill in personal and administrative information
- 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.
- 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).
Using your login, you can always go back and update your
application, add a new recommender, or withdraw from the
application process if necessary.
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