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2023 Mathcamp Math Jam

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Marisa Debowsky, Cananda/USA Mathcamp's Executive Director, describes the Mathcamp summer program for high school math students.

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Facilitator: Marisa Debowsky

devenware 2023-02-15 19:30:29
Hello and welcome to the Canada/USA Mathcamp Math Jam!
sleepypuppy 2023-02-15 19:30:51
Hi!
NotLeonhard 2023-02-15 19:30:51
:D
devyanshaop 2023-02-15 19:30:51
Hi!
mathcountisgreat 2023-02-15 19:30:51
hi!
sleepypuppy 2023-02-15 19:30:51
Glad to be here! :D
lolipepit 2023-02-15 19:30:51
Hello!
devenware 2023-02-15 19:31:00
Before I introduce our guests, let me briefly explain how our online classroom works.
devenware 2023-02-15 19:31:04
This room is moderated, which means that all your questions and comments come to the moderators. We may share your comments with the whole room if we so choose.
devenware 2023-02-15 19:31:22
Canada/USA Mathcamp is an intensive five-week-long summer program for high-school students interested in mathematics, designed to expose students to the beauty of advanced mathematical ideas and to new ways of thinking. You can learn more about Canada/USA Mathcamp at www.mathcamp.org.
devenware 2023-02-15 19:31:39
In this Math Jam, Canada/USA Mathcamp staff will lead a discussion about their outstanding program. Many AoPS instructors, assistants, and students are alumni of Mathcamp.
sleepypuppy 2023-02-15 19:31:56
Fun!
CleverPlatypus 2023-02-15 19:31:56
hi
devenware 2023-02-15 19:31:57
And now let me introduce our guests!
devenware 2023-02-15 19:32:03
Marisa Debowsky (MarisaD) is the Executive Director of Mathcamp. She's been teaching Topological Graph Theory and singing pop songs at Mathcamp every summer since 2006.
HyperrealNumbers 2023-02-15 19:32:16
Hello!
kmkushad 2023-02-15 19:32:16
hello!
cuijingsong 2023-02-15 19:33:02
hello
ILikeMath_2023 2023-02-15 19:33:02
Hi!
tacocat9669 2023-02-15 19:33:02
HI
SpaceSwimmer 2023-02-15 19:33:02
Hello!
mathstalker 2023-02-15 19:33:02
hello!
devenware 2023-02-15 19:33:18
Ania Łeń (AniaLen) is the Program Coordinator at Mathcamp. She's been coming to Mathcamp almost every summer since 2015 – first as a student and later as staff. She loves talking about combinatorics and organizing hikes!
sleepypuppy 2023-02-15 19:33:31
Hi!
peanutwasthebest 2023-02-15 19:33:31
Hi!
mathmonkey12 2023-02-15 19:33:31
Hello
GeometryJake 2023-02-15 19:33:31
Hi!
redsoxrock200 2023-02-15 19:33:31
nice to meet you!
sleepypuppy 2023-02-15 19:33:31
hello!
devenware 2023-02-15 19:33:48
I'll turn the room over to Marisa now!
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:33:57
Hi, everybody, and welcome to the annual Mathcamp Q&A! Thanks to @devenware and the whole AoPS team for hosting us.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:34:08
@AniaLen and I (and our colleague @KevinCarde, too) are here to talk about Mathcamp 2023, both the program and the application process. (You've got a captive audience with admissions officers, so this is a great chance to get ready for application season.)
sleepypuppy 2023-02-15 19:34:14
Are we doing problems?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:34:20
Nope, just talking about Mathcamp today.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:34:28
First, I'll say in a few short sentences what Mathcamp is. Then we'll spend about 30 minutes discussing the program, and 30 minutes discussing the application process, and then we'll wrap up after about 90 minutes total.
DixieNormas 2023-02-15 19:34:33
how is this platform supporting almost 150 kids?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:34:37
AoPS is totally awesome.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:34:55
So, tdlr about Mathcamp: it's a 5-week residential math summer program. This year, it runs Sunday, July 2 through Sunday, August 6, and takes place at Champlain College in Burlington, Vermont.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:35:03
You might already know some basics about Mathcamp from our website: https://www.mathcamp.org
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:35:11
But first, let's answer a few really really frequently asked questions (RRFAQ), to set the stage (so you know what we're here to talk about):
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:35:17
Who comes to Mathcamp? We have 120 students per year, from all over the world. It's typically 65 new campers and 55 returning alumni per year. Recent summers have been 45–50% girls, 50–55% boys, and at least a few non-binary students every year.
redsoxrock200 2023-02-15 19:35:23
what does tdlr stand for?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:35:29
Too long; didn't read
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:35:38
(Internet slang, sorry)
PerfectPanther13 2023-02-15 19:35:44
is it overnight
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:35:48
Yes, it's a residential program!
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:35:58
What kind of math? All kinds. A cool thing about Mathcamp is that we offer about 150 classes and projects over the course of a single summer, and you have complete freedom to design your own curriculum.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:36:06
What else happens? During the evenings and on the weekends, there are a zillion (ish) activities happening, and you choose how to spend your time.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:36:14
That flexibility and creativity – academic and nonacademic – are the defining characteristics of Mathcamp.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:36:20
Scholarships? Yes! Every student (US, Canadian, & International; new and returning) is eligible for financial aid, and we have a large scholarship budget: everybody who needs financial aid will receive it. About 25% of our students receive full scholarships, and we can even buy you a plane ticket. We won't let money prevent you from coming to camp.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:36:32
What about Covid? We are taking Covid precautions seriously, and are designing a set of policies and protocols to keep our students and staff safe while living together at an in-person program. You can learn a lot at https://www.mathcamp.org/covid and we're happy to answer questions today.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:36:44
How do I get in? Admission is competitive. (We expect to admit 10 - 15% of the applicants.) The two main ingredients are the Qualifying Quiz and your personal essay. You'll also submit recommendation letters and some short answers about your math background. For more info, see https://www.mathcamp.org/quiz/ and https://www.mathcamp.org/essay/.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:37:07
And last VVFAQ:
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:37:09
When do I apply? The deadline to apply is a few weeks away: March 9, 2023. (All applications received by the deadline get equal consideration, so there's no advantage to applying early.)
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:37:18
Alrighty, let's get the conversation rolling! We want to get to as many of your questions as possible.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:37:25
My fellow Mathcamp staff and I would like to meet *you* along with your question (we talk to students and families a lot by email, and this is a chance for us to talk with you in realtime!). Let's find out who's here:
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:37:31
What brings you here today?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:38:18
(it's fun watch these roll in! and I see some questions in the chat, too – hang tight, I'll get to questions in just a moment)
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:38:30
OK, five, four, three, two, one...
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:38:32
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:38:42
Great, neat to see who's here! And thanks so much for joining us. Out of curiosity:
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:38:47
Where's everybody from?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:39:57
Okay, closing the poll in 5, 4, 3...
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:39:59
2, 1...
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:40:01
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:40:11
Cool. :) Hello, other time zones!
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:40:18
When you're asking questions, here's a suggested format:

Name / Age / Location: Question
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:40:25
e.g.

Alyssa / 14 / Reno: Do we celebrate birthdays during Mathcamp?

or

Jorge / Parent / Mexico : Where can we mail care packages?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:40:30
(But that format is not mandatory - in keeping with the spirit of Mathcamp, just about everything is optional, and we'll do our best to answer your questions in any format.)
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:40:55
Okay, ready? Let's spend from now until 8:15pm ET on questions about the program itself: mathematical and residential life at Mathcamp; the people; the campus; the "during" and "after" of Mathcamp. (And then we'll switch over to discussing the "before": the application process and financial aid.)
chuh22 2023-02-15 19:41:09
Connor / 14 / California: Now I'm curious- *do* we celebrate birthdays during Mathcamp?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:41:12
Yes!
mathstalker 2023-02-15 19:41:18
Jen/14/Asia: What is the age distribution of Mathcampers?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:41:27
Most students at camp are in the 16–17 range, but we have students as young as 13 and as old as 19.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:41:29
The distribution will give you a better sense, so here's some data:
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:41:35
On the first day of Mathcamp 2022, there were:



0 campers age 13

5 campers age 14

16 campers age 15

41 campers age 16

42 campers age 17

18 campers age 18

1 campers age 19
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:41:43
On the first day of Mathcamp 2021:



3 campers age 13

7 campers age 14

22 campers age 15

39 campers age 16

32 campers age 17

9 campers age 18

0 campers age 19
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:41:49
Those are pretty typical distributions of ages at Mathcamp.
tbjones 2023-02-15 19:41:54
Howdy! is there an online variant?/Asia
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:42:02
Nope, Mathcamp only takes place in person.
llr 2023-02-15 19:42:06
Louis / 14 / DMV: What's the staff age distrubution at Mathcamp?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:42:27
About 8 college students, 12 grad students, and 10 assorted others (generally past grad school).
DixieNormas 2023-02-15 19:42:34
Lonnie/ 14 / Maryland:how old do you HAVE to be?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:42:40
At least 13, and at most 19.
Technodoggo 2023-02-15 19:42:44
If Mathcamp is for high schoolers, how can there be 13 year olds? Is it strictly high school, and if so, is it by age or do skipped grades count?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:43:14
We use age as our eligibility criterion, not grade in school: students ages 13–18 are eligible to apply – so middle schoolers can come to Mathcamp, too. (If you're 19 but have special circumstances, talk to us about exceptions. We are generally reluctant to make exceptions for 12-year-olds; it has only happened once.)
YIYI-JP 2023-02-15 19:43:23
Hello, are there anybody younger than 12 at Math Camp?/Asia
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:43:35
Nope, younger than 12 is too young. But I would encourage you to check out MathPath ( https://www.mathpath.org/ ), which is an excellent program for students ages 11–14.
ALmathiscool 2023-02-15 19:44:06
Hello! For 12 year olds what if you are turning 13 during MathCamp?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:44:11
Still too young, sorry!
ChipmunkT 2023-02-15 19:44:25
Victoria / 14 / New York: Hi! Around how many submissions do you get each year, and what age group do you typically see most applicants coming from? Thanks :)
jacobwu 2023-02-15 19:44:25
Jacob / 14 /California: I see many 14 year old like me asking questions. Is the acceptance rate lower for younger students? What's the criteria?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:45:02
We do see some applications from middle schoolers! But most of our applicants are in high school, because the admissions criteria are the same for everybody – which means you have to be a little ahead of your age group to be ready in middle school.
GeometryJake 2023-02-15 19:45:04
Alex / 13 / Houston: what is the admission rate for 13 yrs old? Do I have less chance compared to older ones?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:45:11
It's mostly about preparation.
WSatAoPS 2023-02-15 19:45:16
William / 12 / Massachusetts: Do they have accomodations for kids w/ special needs?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:45:24
Yes! We can be very flexible about accommodations of all sorts.
peace09 2023-02-15 19:45:45
13 / California: Have you (as a staff member) noticed any significant friction or social awkwardness for ages at the extremes (particularly younger ones)?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:46:16
You know, actually, I haven't noticed much of this! Students tend to make friends across ages – it's the people who like hiking, or the people who like topology.
harryhero 2023-02-15 19:46:20
ooh, good GOOD question
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:46:22
Right?!
Mebookreader 2023-02-15 19:46:49
14 // NJ // Question: Is the program geared towards competition math, or mathematics in general?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:46:54
Mathematics in general!
SeriousMath7 2023-02-15 19:47:00
Onoclea/15/PA: Can parents visit on weekends? For a student's birthday for instance?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:47:03
Sure, of course.
jaypark123572 2023-02-15 19:47:30
Jaewoo / 15 / Illinois: What topics can we expect to learn there?
Amkan2022 2023-02-15 19:47:30
Sorry if this has been asked, but what topics are taught?
mathstalker 2023-02-15 19:47:30
Jen/14/Asia: What are some topics I can learn in Mathcamp? Is there anything it focuses on particular(like Number theory) Do we also solve competition maths?
Heavytoothpaste 2023-02-15 19:47:30
what curriculum is taught at mathcamp?
EmmaML 2023-02-15 19:47:30
Emma / OldTeacher / Canada QC : Is there a "research side" during the camp, open problems or "only" (great) classes ?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:47:42
Great questions – let me see if I can cover them all together.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:49:00
We teach lots of different kinds of math at Mathcamp: that's a defining characteristic. We're doing our hiring right now (at the same time as camper application season!), and then our instructors will start designing their classes and shaping them into a full schedule. Typically, the list of the summer's courses gets finalized in June. Since the classes change from year to year, returning students always have something new to explore!
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:49:13
Some things, however, are constant each year: there's always one class that covers basic Proof Techniques, and others will cover core introductory material that other Mathcamp classes often use as prerequisites, like Graph Theory, Group Theory, Linear Algebra, and Number Theory. These introductory classes are often the starting point for what we call "clusters," collections of courses on core topics in pure math, like Algebra, Analysis, Combinatorics, and Topology.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:50:01
Some classes might touch on open problems in research mathematics, and there's also the opportunity to pursue a topic in depth. Here's more about projects: https://www.mathcamp.org/math/projects/
ALmathiscool 2023-02-15 19:50:16
Is mathcamp any related to mathcounts?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:50:19
Nope!
ChipmunkT 2023-02-15 19:50:27
Victoria / 14 / New York: Knowing precalculus is a requirement, right?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:50:30
Yes, exactly.
YIYI-JP 2023-02-15 19:50:41
Question: Is it ok if you don't attend for the whole thing? Like for only half of the time?/Asia
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:50:50
It's a 5-week program, and we do expect everybody to stay the whole time.
bburubburu 2023-02-15 19:50:53
13/CA/How intense are the clases?
chuh22 2023-02-15 19:51:06
Connor / 14 / California: I have seen math camps ranging from super rigorous (where basically the entire day should be spent doing math) to much more laid back (where students are doing math, but the camp is more for fun). Where does Mathcamp lie on this spectrum?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:51:16
Good, and related, questions!
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:51:39
Classes come in varying styles at Mathcamp: some are very intense, and others are very laid-back, and students get to choose their own adventure.
KnowingAnt 2023-02-15 19:51:53
Is calculus required?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:52:05
Nope! Though most of our students do know Calculus already.
jacobwu 2023-02-15 19:52:09
Jacob/14/California: are the math classes taking the full day and other activities only at night?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:52:32
Approximately, yes: you can think of the academic day as 9am–5pm and the evenings and weekends as non-academic time.
mathstalker 2023-02-15 19:52:40
Jen/14/Asia: Can students initiate activities/projects?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:52:43
YES!
mathstalker 2023-02-15 19:53:00
Jen/14/Asia: I am interested in programming and chemistry. Are there any opportunities to learn or explore subjects other than math?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:53:19
A little bit, yes: we typically run mostly math classes, but a few courses (and colloquia) on closely related topics.
Tirulina 2023-02-15 19:53:23
Amari/14/NYC: Do classes ever tend to lean on the more philosophical side of Math? (Reading Godel, Escher, Bach and I love it)
SeriousMath7 2023-02-15 19:53:43
Onoclea/15/PA: Could you give some more information on projects? Perhaps some examples that students have completed in past years?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:54:02
@Tirulina: yes! Sometimes philosophy of math is in the class schedule, and sometimes it makes a good project.
WSatAoPS 2023-02-15 19:54:16
what types of projects are usually given to students?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:54:28
These could be reading projects in a particular field or original research projects on a topic, or a variety of lighter options. You'll certainly have access to instructors and faculty who can talk with you at great lengths about research, but overall, research is not the primary focus of Mathcamp. Occasionally, these projects become the basis for papers or STS/Davidson/etc. submissions (but only when a student is very motivated!).
sunsun8 2023-02-15 19:54:37
Nouri/ 13/ Ivory Coast: Are the requirements different for students that come from different countries?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:54:40
Nope!
LearningIsFun999 2023-02-15 19:54:45
14/NC: If I want to take multiple classes but they are at the same time, will it be repeated at another time or can I only take one?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:55:04
Ah, this is a perennial problem: Mathcamp has a lot of things going on all at the same time, and you have to choose. (Classes are typically not repeated.)
WSatAoPS 2023-02-15 19:55:07
Can you choose your classes?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:55:29
Yes! That's an important feature of Mathcamp – you pick your classes (and everything else about your summer).
kmkushad 2023-02-15 19:55:33
Drowned/14/Canada: What's the workload like?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:55:58
That varies a lot from student to student, but I'd say typically people do 4–6 hours of focused math per day (including classes and homework time).
Bluedevils 2023-02-15 19:56:06
Avery/14/NC: Will we get access to the college athletic facilities
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:56:08
Yep
jacobwu 2023-02-15 19:56:10
Jacob/14/California: Are all the 120 students taking the same class at the same time, or are there small group discussions?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:56:21
Oh, we're running lots of classes at the same time!
Technodoggo 2023-02-15 19:56:34
120 students in one class would be a horror
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:56:44
Agreed, that sounds like a hard classroom to run
starwars101 2023-02-15 19:56:46
Do students do math on weekends?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:57:02
If they are excited about it, then yes! But there's also lots of other stuff happening on weekends, liike field trips.
tacocat9669 2023-02-15 19:57:10
Xatrik / 14 / Hawaii, is pre-calculus knowledge really necessary?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:57:16
Yes, this is an absolute requirement for us.
tani_lex 2023-02-15 19:57:23
Is self-learning precalculus enough for MathCamp or do you need a transcript from a class?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:57:42
Good question: we don't require transcripts. Self-study is enough (but you really do need to know your stuff).
thewonkyturnip 2023-02-15 19:58:00
Do we get to choose our roommates?
STLouie 2023-02-15 19:58:00
Andy/13/Missouri: Are roommates assigned by age? If, not is it random or by another criteria?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:58:20
First, you're matched by age and gender. Then we send a questionnaire to our admitted students (it's part of registration) to get info about second-order considerations: how tidy do you prefer to keep your room? Do you like to have friends hang out in your room in the evenings, or use your room as a quiet study space? What time do you like to go to bed and get up? And: which of these things is most important to you?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:58:26
You also have the option to request to have specific roommates (which we'll honor if they request you in return, so coordinate in advance!) or to avoid specific roommates (which we'll always honor). We offer options for both single-gender and mixed-gender halls.
NTfish 2023-02-15 19:58:33
Is mathpath associated with mathcamp?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:58:41
No, but we think they're really cool.
mathcomputers 2023-02-15 19:58:50
Do students learn about how to do math research?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 19:58:57
If they're doing a research-related project, then yes!
bss9878 2023-02-15 19:59:29
Bonnie/Parent/New Mexico What sort of fun activities are offered in the evenings?
CampQandA 2023-02-15 19:59:29
Leslie/parent/NYC: what do you do to keep strictly math interesting for 6 weeks?
Starline 2023-02-15 19:59:29
S / parent / NY: How does MathCamp facilitate/encourage social interaction? (That's been one major drawback with online math programs!)
jaypark123572 2023-02-15 19:59:29
Jaewoo/ 15 / Illinois: What activities are offered in the evenings?
Unevenlogic 2023-02-15 19:59:29
15 / Canada: are there times and spaces for other activities, such as practicing a musical instrument?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:00:57
There are TONS of social activities at Mathcamp, all the time: that's another defining characteristic of the program.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:01:20
Many of the activities are organized by the staff—e.g. weekend field trips, and lots of the evening social activities—but campers can plan activities, too.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:01:50
If you want to practice an instrument, you can definitely make the time at camp to keep up with your regular practice routine! And we will help you get access to the right equipment. (I remember taking a camper once to rent a cello.)
CalvinGarces 2023-02-15 20:01:58
Calvin / are there pianos available for students to use during offhours/free time?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:02:07
Yes! We have already reserved a rehearsal room on campus with a piano, and we'll also have a keyboard in the dorm for practicing. (We have a piano in a social lounge, too, but it's less frequently used for serious practice and more often for Taylor Swift / Disney / Broadway singalongs.)
peterguo 2023-02-15 20:02:10
maryland/11: are we allowed to bring any devices (like phones, etc.), or will tech be all provided during the camp?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:02:17
You may bring your own devices. If you dont'
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:02:32
If you don't have a phone, you can borrow one from the Mathcamp office for calling home.
KnowingAnt 2023-02-15 20:02:40
Are we allowed to cook? For example, bacon? I love bacon.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:02:49
Yes! There are kitchens in the dorms which students can use under staff supervision (and the staff are always excited to help with cooking and baking projects!).
starwars101 2023-02-15 20:02:57
Do students get to roam off campus, as long as they are supervised?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:03:10
Students are allowed to go off-campus, in groups and with staff permission.
jacobwu 2023-02-15 20:03:14
an you give some examples about field trips
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:03:37
Yeah! Let's see... hiking, laser tag, blueberry picking, whitewater rafting, the annual Puzzle Hunt...
Pendronator 2023-02-15 20:03:44
how do the puzzle hunts work?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:04:18
This is potentially the most popular field trip at camp. See https://www.mathcamp.org/past_summers/hunt/ for past examples.
alleycat 2023-02-15 20:04:22
alum dropping by to say that mathcamp is awesome!!!
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:04:26
<3 Hi and yay!
Unevenlogic 2023-02-15 20:04:29
Is there any sort of exam, for instance final exams at the end of classes?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:04:33
Nope, there are no exams.
WSatAoPS 2023-02-15 20:04:36
what is the quality of the pianos? like I'm learning piano so I would prefer a better quality piano.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:04:44
Not bad, actually.
tani_lex 2023-02-15 20:04:49
Are day scholars allowed? (Like can somebody go to the camp in the morning and go back to their house in the evening?)
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:04:59
The short answer: our program is all residential; we don't have commuter students.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:05:09
To elaborate a little, the residential aspect of the program is something we put a lot of energy into (in addition to the math): it's a chance for you to start getting acclimated to living on a college campus, and for the students to bond with one another.
STLouie 2023-02-15 20:05:15
Are there tests, grades or other measures of performance/understanding?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:05:31
There are no tests and no grades. You talk to your instructors, and that's how we know you're following!
EmmaML 2023-02-15 20:05:34
Emma/teacher/ QC Canada : Can Mathcamp provide a certificate of participation or something similar for university applications ?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:05:43
Yes, but of course the program is not for credit.
sleepypuppy 2023-02-15 20:06:06
What is the mathcamp food?
hambugersrock 2023-02-15 20:06:06
how is the food?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:06:24
Our dining hall has a wide variety of options: you can get anything from a slice of pizza to a family-style meal. (IDX, if you’re curious: https://www.champlain.edu/student-life/campus-life/dining/idx-dining-hall. Champlain has a very friendly and helpful Dining Hall staff, and they can work with individual students on a case-by-case basis to handle any food allergies. You can read more about their systems and check out the menu here: https://menus.sodexomyway.com/BiteMenu/Menu?menuId=14736&locationId=10345001&whereami=https://champlaindining.sodexomyway.com/dining-near-me/idxdining.
sleepypuppy 2023-02-15 20:06:34
yummy
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:06:40
Yeah!
Unevenlogic 2023-02-15 20:06:46
Do we have access to lockers?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:07:04
No, but you can lock your dorm room (and we encourage you to, as a good habit).
torch 2023-02-15 20:07:09
is there a ping pong table
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:07:11
Yes
SeriousMath7 2023-02-15 20:07:15
Onoclea/15/PA: Based on the schedule on your website, it says classes 9-12 and then again in the afternoon from 1-2. Does the student take multiple classes during those times typical of a college day or do they do 1 class all for hours?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:08:03
Here's what a typical week looks like: https://www.mathcamp.org/files/yearly/2022/academics/Week1Schedule.pdf
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:08:31
So you can take a class in each hour of the academic day if you'd like – but we encourage students to take only two or three classes per day so as to have time to absorb all the math.
sleepypuppy 2023-02-15 20:08:33
Is there chess boards?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:08:35
Yes
blueberry1673 2023-02-15 20:08:38
is there a reading room.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:08:43
Yes! We have our own library.
harryhero 2023-02-15 20:08:47
oh maaaan this seems interesting
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:08:52
We really think so!
ZoBro23 2023-02-15 20:08:55
How does it work for international students? Can I get an F1 (student) visa or should I travel with a B1/B2 visa?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:09:06
Since you're not enrolling or receiving credit at a university, you would not need a student visa to come to camp. Instead, you are participating in mathematical tourism, and so you will either need a B-2 visitor visa or entry via the Visa Waiver Program (depending on the country of your passport). We will help each international student through the paperwork and preparing for your visa interview appointment.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:09:14
Even for students whose home countries have long visa wait times, we have often come up with creative solutions to get appointments (even helping students arrange travel to a nearby embassy in another country).
DottedCaculator 2023-02-15 20:09:22
how often do you lose the game
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:09:25
Oh noes
Taco12 2023-02-15 20:09:28
is there a basketball court or something
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:09:29
Yes!
Bluedevils 2023-02-15 20:09:36
does the food options decrease in the summer, because lots of university have less food options in summer compared to normal
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:09:48
Colleges are used to feeding summer guests (that's us), so there are plenty of options.
STLouie 2023-02-15 20:09:51
Will campers need to buy textbooks for classes?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:09:56
Nope, we'll provide any materials needed.
mathstalker 2023-02-15 20:10:00
Jen/14/Asia: Are there any team activities in class?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:10:14
Sometimes – but you'll know in advance if a class is oriented around group work.
Unevenlogic 2023-02-15 20:10:17
Do we get to borrow books from the library?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:10:19
Yes!
Starline 2023-02-15 20:10:48
S / parent / How many roommates share a room/suite?
hambugersrock 2023-02-15 20:10:48
How many kids to a room?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:10:57
We will have a mix of singles, doubles, and triples.
posneca 2023-02-15 20:11:04
Do you track your campers and if so, where do they end up going to college and later on what field of work?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:11:51
We do, a little bit. Most students who come to Mathcamp are already on their way to the college of their choice and to doing cool stuff in their careers – but we're happy to play a role along the way.
ekranik 2023-02-15 20:11:57
Kal / Parent / Canada - Is summer mathcamp the only program you run or are there other ways to be part of this math community during the school year virtually
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:12:27
Great question. The alum community stays in touch in lots of ways during the year! We have email, Discord, Slack, online reunions – all sorts of stuff.
tacocat9669 2023-02-15 20:12:39
Xatrik / 14 / Hawaii: What kinda sports are offered at Mathcamp?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:12:53
Both campers and staff will organize games, and also mini-workouts – planking has been popular recently, and also Capture the Flag. I'd say Ultimate Frisbee is the perennial favorite.
Tirulina 2023-02-15 20:12:56
Do you feel there's a competitive atmosphere between Students?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:13:07
I very much do not. Mathcamp is a really collaborative, really mellow place.
tani_lex 2023-02-15 20:13:09
Do we get the choice of how many roommates we want?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:13:19
Yes, you can indicate your preference on the registration form.
CalvinGarces 2023-02-15 20:13:21
Calvin / if we prefer, how are single rooms assigned? by request/lottery? added cost?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:13:38
No added cost; if singles are in high demand, then we prioritize students who request them for e.g. medical reasons.
eibc 2023-02-15 20:13:41
Do you get "expelled" or something if you oversleep or miss a class?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:13:52
No no no! That would be very mean. We are not mean.
MinecraftPlayer404 2023-02-15 20:14:02
Jason / 13 / Arizona: Where can I find a detailed map of the Mathcamp campus?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:14:27
Er, I don't have the link handy, but google "Champlain College campus map" and you'll get a PDF right away.
amopuri 2023-02-15 20:14:37
Advaith / 14 / California: Do the instructors and so the curriculum change from year to year? How do you choose the instructors and where do they usually come from?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:15:04
Oh, great question. So, like the campers, many instructors do return from year to year. But we make space to hire at least a few new folks each summer, too.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:15:47
Hiring is very (very!) selective—we get a lot of great applications, and the bar is very high—and we choose instructors who are amazing teachers and will be great role models.
Pendronator 2023-02-15 20:16:01
https://www.champlain.edu/Documents/Admissions/Undergraduate%20Admissions/Campus-Map.pdf <-- boom i gotchu
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:16:04
thanks pal
Unevenlogic 2023-02-15 20:16:06
How is the security around campus?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:16:26
Burlington is a very safe town, and Champlain security is quite responsive.
Beatty 2023-02-15 20:16:30
How far do you go into the topics discussed. Is it more getting the foundations of a wide range of topics or do you pick a few and go deeper into those?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:17:09
Ah, this is really up to you! If you want to dive deeply into a topic, then take all the classes on that topic, do a research project, talk to instructors. If you want to check out a lot of different areas of math, then that's another great way to spend your time.\
Tirulina 2023-02-15 20:17:11
Amari/14/NYC: Do classes tend to fill quickly?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:17:27
There aren't usually limits on classes, so not at all.
yambe2002 2023-02-15 20:17:33
[insert name here]/ some positive real number/ Michigan: will you be doing the same campus for later years as well?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:17:45
We rotate among different college campuses. This is our first year in Vermont, actually; if we love it, we'll be back!
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:18:00
(It happens to be the case that I've lived in Burlington before, so I already know that it's a great place to spend the summer.)
Andrew0701 2023-02-15 20:18:03
i live in burligton bruh
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:18:07
Hi neighbor!
tani_lex 2023-02-15 20:18:13
How old are the instructors? Are they college students or returning alumni?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:18:20
Instructors are grad students, typically.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:18:40
Okay, let's take a few more questions about the program itself, and then we'll move on to the application process. (I see some application-related questions in the queue; I'll get to y'all in the second half of the event.)
alleycat 2023-02-15 20:18:48
are there any big differences from last year / special quirks of champlain that you think are interesting?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:19:17
Last summer, we were at Colby College, in Waterville, Maine – which is lovely, and very rural. Champlain is right on the edge of downtown Burlington, and it's a short walk to local coffeeshops / bookstores / pizza places / ice cream spots and to the lake.
Notapplicable 2023-02-15 20:19:20
How much does the camp cost?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:19:34
The cost for our 2023 program will be between 0 and 5,000, depending on financial aid.
tigeryong 2023-02-15 20:19:41
Weston / 13 in two weeks / Ontario sorry i'm late how long does mathcamp go?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:19:44
Five weeks!
Starline 2023-02-15 20:19:46
S / parent / NY: Do you have geographic quotas for admission? ( I noticed a lot of people from NY/NJ/MA here!)
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:19:48
Nope.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:20:07
(But NY/NJ/MA is a region where we see a lot of applicants.)
mathstalker 2023-02-15 20:20:10
Jen/14/Asia: How much sleep do students get normally?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:20:18
Students tell me it's more than they get during the school year.
harryhero 2023-02-15 20:20:30
at least 9 please please
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:20:32
#goals
Liontiger 2023-02-15 20:20:36
What are the requirements for the courses?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:21:08
Many classes will have no prerequisites (other than high-school algebra or precalculus); others will require some pretty intense knowledge of advanced mathematics. (Though almost always, the appropriate prerequisites will be offered as Mathcamp classes earlier in camp!)
tani_lex 2023-02-15 20:21:18
Are the instructors from really good colleges?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:21:25
Yes, but more importantly, they're really good teachers.
tani_lex 2023-02-15 20:21:28
Are instructors and counselors the same thing?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:21:56
"Mentor" is the term of art at Mathcamp for instructors; those are the grad students. "JC" is the term for counselors; they're the college students. (JCs run camp for us, logistically; they also organize the field trips.)
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:22:12
OK, thanks for all the questions about the program, everybody!
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:22:16
Let's spend from now until 8:45pm ET on questions about applications and financial aid: eligibility, the application process, scholarships. (And then we'll open up to any kinds of questions before we wrap up.)
emilrichardwang 2023-02-15 20:22:21
Does requesting financial aid affect your chances of being admitted to the camp?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:22:38
Not at all. (We won't even know whether you've applied for financial aid when we're reading your application for admission.)
ihatemath123 2023-02-15 20:22:40
benny/15/IL: how much do you value teacher reccomendations in the application process compared to the qualifying quiz solutions?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:22:44
Everything counts!
cuijingsong 2023-02-15 20:22:47
My cousin went to mathcamp – would that help my application?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:23:02
That's cool! But not a factor in your admission. (We don't have a legacy system.)
thewonkyturnip 2023-02-15 20:23:07
How much does qualifying for USAMO or having attended a different math camp (eg. PROMYS, Ross, SUMAC, etc) help in the application process? Can a good qualifying quiz make up for a weaker math background?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:23:28
Your Qualifying Quiz is more important than whether you've done other programs or contests, for sure!
Rinnypig 2023-02-15 20:23:35
Xander / 16 / Oregon: If we applied last year with our two letters of recommendation, can we reuse one or both of them this year in our application (have the writers send them in again)?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:23:44
There is indeed a system for re-using applications from past years.
bburubburu 2023-02-15 20:23:52
13/CA/How long are the essays usually?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:23:58
Most people keep it to a page.
NotLeonhard 2023-02-15 20:24:03
if you have done precalculus and algebra, does the level of mathematical knowledge you have beyond that affect your chance?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:24:20
Yes, we'll take into account the amount of math background each applicant has.
tani_lex 2023-02-15 20:24:32
Do you guys weight the Qualifying test more or the background of the person when you are reading through admissions?
mathstalker 2023-02-15 20:24:32
What is the Mathcamp looking for in QQs and personal essay?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:25:29
@Tani Good question. No, the Quizzes are evaluated without knowing anything about the person who wrote the solutions (even their name). But when we look at an application on the admissions committee, we're taking into account the mathematical context that the student comes from when looking at the comments from their Quiz evaluators.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:25:53
@mathstalker We're looking for... well, learning about you! Mathematically and personally, these are our major tools to get to know you as a candidate.
Tirulina 2023-02-15 20:25:56
is Mathcamp on a need-blind basis for financial aid?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:25:58
Yes!
LearningIsFun999 2023-02-15 20:26:03
How is the QQ graded?
mathmakeshappiness 2023-02-15 20:26:19
How many questions do students usually get on the qualifying quiz
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:26:31
It's hard to say "you need to answer this many questions", because when we look at the entire Quiz taken as a whole, we're looking for more abstract qualities: persistence; creativity; sound reasoning.
tani_lex 2023-02-15 20:26:41
Is the QT the most important thing on the application?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:26:53
It's the place we learn the most about you mathematically, definitely.
Rinnypig 2023-02-15 20:26:55
How formal should proofs be on the Qualifying Quiz?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:27:08
You want to make sure the reader is really, really clear on your thinking.
ObtuseAngle110 2023-02-15 20:27:12
I don't think I'm even close to the level of qualifying for USAMO, and I haven't even qualified for AIME. Would I be good enough to pass the qualification quiz?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:27:29
Some of our campers are really serious about contests (and some of those are IMO gold medalists!); others have never taken a single AMC exam. In terms of admissions, contest scores are not a significant criterion for us—we use our own Qualifying Quiz instead—so we don't keep track of statistics on our campers.
Pendronator 2023-02-15 20:27:38
does being waitlisted in a past app cycle help your chances of admission?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:27:57
We do take into account past applications, yes. (First, it shows persistence; second, we can see you grow over time.)
Clement_Zhou 2023-02-15 20:28:00
How many people are you accepting each year?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:28:15
We usually have 65 spots for new campers.
Notapplicable 2023-02-15 20:28:20
Can we apply without letters of recommendation
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:28:24
Nope, those are required.
ihatemath123 2023-02-15 20:28:26
What is the acceptance rate of mathcamp?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:28:32
It's usually 10–15%.
HyperrealNumbers 2023-02-15 20:28:36
Ben/16/Canada In the past, I believe you have said that the average applicant solves around half of the Quiz correctly (I might be misremembering though). Do you expect it to be the same for this year's quiz, or is it harder/easier?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:29:06
That's about right. (We usually see only a small handful of applicants who fully solve every problem.)
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:29:22
I have no idea yet whether it's a hard or easy Quiz year – that's such a tough thing to judge. You tell us!
Beatty 2023-02-15 20:29:24
How does the 10-15% compare to others eg: promys, hcssim, ross, mathily?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:29:50
It's pretty similar across all the selective summer math enrichment programs, actually.
eibc 2023-02-15 20:29:53
Is grade taken into consideration for decisions?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:30:17
Grade, like what grade you're in? We do take that into account in the sense that it's part of the overall picture of your background.
CalvinGarces 2023-02-15 20:30:24
Calvin / For personal reference letter, would a piano teacher be acceptable or must it be more team/group-based as opposed to 1:1 teaching?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:30:33
Piano teachers are welcome to write personal recs!
chuh22 2023-02-15 20:30:37
connor / 14 / california: is gender and/or race taken into account at all?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:31:02
We do try to compose a balanced student body, yes. (We take LOTS of things into account.)
LearningIsFun999 2023-02-15 20:31:07
If we have done contest math but didn't do good in them, should I still write them down?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:31:34
Totally up to you. Were the contests fun, formative, exciting for you? If so, then sure – that'll help us learn about the ways you engage with math in your life.
Pendronator 2023-02-15 20:31:44
could a jrotc instructor write the personal rec? or no because they're technically teachers?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:32:05
A JROTC instructor would be an awesome recommender. That's a really different context from a traditional classroom.
ThousandthStar 2023-02-15 20:32:07
Emilien/14/Canada. Do we need to show full steps for simplification in our proofs (I was taught to show every single step in schools)?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:32:21
Just make sure the reader isn't wondering how you got from one step to the next.
chuh22 2023-02-15 20:32:53
Do certain age groups have a better chance of getting admitted?
rirobaki 2023-02-15 20:32:53
Name/number/Texas: will there being different sections by age group?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:33:32
Most of our applicants are in the 16–18 range, and the admitted students mirror that.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:33:42
But there aren't quotas at all by age group.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:33:58
And once students get to camp, the classes and social activities are open to everybody, regardless of age!
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:34:24
(We do sort students by age for housing purposes – so 13 year old students and 18 year old students don't end up as roommates.)
chuh22 2023-02-15 20:34:39
could my music teacher write my peresonal rec even though music is one of my classes? or is there a hard rule where the rec shouldn't be a teacher
Liontiger 2023-02-15 20:34:39
Who are personal recommendations from?
GeometryJake 2023-02-15 20:34:39
Alex/13/TX: Could a school choir instructor write a personal recommendation letter?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:34:59
Personal rec letters can come from any adult who knows you in a non-classroom context. Music mentors are pretty common choices!
HyperrealNumbers 2023-02-15 20:35:03
Ben/16/Canada For personal recommendation letter, would it be okay to ask a teacher who knows you from a school club?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:35:23
Sure, that's a good reason for picking someone who happens to be a teacher – if they know you from a club, that's a very different feel.
OrcinusOrca1 2023-02-15 20:35:29
you said average applicant solves about half the qualifying quiz; what about average admitted students?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:36:01
Ah, good clarification. The average admitted student solves about half the QQ problems. The average applicant solves way fewer.
MinecraftPlayer404 2023-02-15 20:36:04
Jason/13/AZ: Does accomplishments in competitions, e.g. MATHCOUNTS or the AMC series affect us in applications?
mockingjay11 2023-02-15 20:36:25
Erika/15/ Canada. Do you need to have a certain score in the math contests in order to get in
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:36:30
The Mathcamp application has an optional box for you to tell us about your competition background, but it's not a major part of the application. (There are plenty of Mathcampers who left that box blank when they applied!) It's just one more way for us to learn about the kinds of math that you do.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:36:36
You definitely don't need any particular scores.
pi_is_3.14 2023-02-15 20:36:42
How many repeat campers are there? How many new?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:36:53
It's typically 65 new campers + 55 alums = 120 students total.
thewonkyturnip 2023-02-15 20:36:55
Is it good to conjecture/generalize beyond what the question asks for?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:36:59
Yes, that's awesome!
bss9878 2023-02-15 20:37:02
Bonnie / Parent / NM. How would you suggest a prospective camper approach the QQ if they feel intimidated by it?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:37:37
Great question. First, the Quiz is untimed because we've designed it to be more like a research project than like a competition, so we don't grade it like a competition. You can think of it as something to work on slowly: you're not in a rush with these problems.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:38:16
Second, the problems often have 'scaffolding' – a "part a part b part c" structure, where the initial parts are easier. So try each problem; you might be surprised how many problems you can find your way into!
tani_lex 2023-02-15 20:38:20
How much can displaying your ideas that you tried but didn't work help you when you submit your solutions?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:38:35
You can do this a little bit, but maybe not 15 pages of failed calculations...
bjump 2023-02-15 20:38:39
What if you can't afford mathcamp, but don't qualify for financial aid?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:38:54
We're really serious about making sure that everybody can come to camp, no matter what their financial circumstances. We'll work with you.
LearningIsFun999 2023-02-15 20:38:56
Should we still write our conjectures if we weren't able to fully solve the question?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:38:57
Sure!
chuh22 2023-02-15 20:39:01
is it important to have previous camp experience? how does that affect one's chances?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:39:43
Past experience at math programs can be really helpful – but it's by no means required. (And we're always impressed when someone shows us that they're ready for Mathcamp's curriculum without having previous camp experience.)
roribaki 2023-02-15 20:39:52
how difficult are the problems (usamo, aime, mop, etc.)
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:40:02
Hard to compare, sorry. We don't rely on competition formats.
MinecraftPlayer404 2023-02-15 20:40:06
How significant is the difference of QQ accurancy between alums and new applicants?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:40:20
Ah, this is a key point: once you're admitted and attend camp, you don't have to reapply.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:40:28
(So alums might do the QQ problems but only for fun.)
hambugersrock 2023-02-15 20:40:33
If you are admitted in one year, are you automatically reserved a spot for return in the next summer?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:40:35
yes!
EmmaML 2023-02-15 20:40:37
do some campers attend the camp 3 times or more ?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:40:39
Yes!
starwars101 2023-02-15 20:40:44
This isn't necessarily about applications, but how similar are the problems students work on similar to math competition problems, or math problems in school? Are problems from math competitions ever referenced in the material?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:41:11
There are two weekly problem-solving competitions at camp, and both are team competitions. (Participation, like everything else at camp, is optional!) We also teach a handful of problem-solving classes each summer. More about problem solving at camp: https://www.mathcamp.org/math/problem_solving/
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:41:38
But mostly, math at Mathcamp isn't at all similar to competition problems – which is why competitions aren't very important for admissions, and why the Qualifying Quiz problems aren't much like contest problems.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:41:44
(In particular, being untimed.)
Liontiger 2023-02-15 20:41:50
If you're admitted but can't go, do you have to reapply next year?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:41:54
Yes.
bburubburu 2023-02-15 20:41:56
What happens if more than 55 alumni want to come back?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:42:17
There's a process for this (https://www.mathcamp.org/alumni/return_policy/)
eibc 2023-02-15 20:42:32
Does the level of math taken at school have a large impact on decisions? My school doesn't let anyone skip any levels in the general curriculum (zero exceptions)
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:42:43
Ah, we're very familiar with this kind of school policy. We definitely won't hold it against you.
goldenuni678 2023-02-15 20:42:49
If we get the questions wrong, but we use the right strategies (calculation error), do you still consider the problem as sort of correct?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:43:05
We don't penalize people for typos.
ThousandthStar 2023-02-15 20:43:10
Emilien/14/Canada. Does less math experience outside of the standard curriculum (math competitions and extra-curricular classes) mean less chances to get in?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:44:02
What we're looking for is whether you're ready for Mathcamp classes. Uou might have that background from extracurriculars, but it might be from independent study. Both avenues are good!
OrcinusOrca1 2023-02-15 20:44:11
If the school math is not of an advanced level, how to demonstrate your math experience - especially if you leaned mostly by self study and dont have previous math camp experience?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:44:17
The Qualifying Quiz!
tani_lex 2023-02-15 20:44:20
Are there any other criteria for attending camp other than knowing precalculus?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:44:39
That is the official prerequisite, in terms of required background.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:45:00
You can read more about eligibility at https://www.mathcamp.org/admission/eligibility/.
thewonkyturnip 2023-02-15 20:45:03
would you say it's better to latex than hand-write? is there some implicit bias?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:45:06
Both are totally fine.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:45:17
Okay! Thanks, everybody, for all the questions about the application process.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:45:22
The field is open for *any* questions you have about Mathcamp, and we'll wrap up around 9pm ET.
rirobaki 2023-02-15 20:45:30
Name/age/Texas:Is there like a limit of students coming from one state(like Mathcounts)
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:45:32
Nope.
roribaki 2023-02-15 20:45:37
what level are the classes?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:45:49
To get a sense of the variety of class offerings, take a look at last year's class schedule and descriptions: https://www.mathcamp.org/2022/classes/
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:46:09
Each year of Mathcamp has a different class schedule, but the classes always come from a range of topics appropriate to a range of different mathematical backgrounds.
Flawed_Fractal 2023-02-15 20:46:17
Chris/16/MI: I've heard that bug house (the chess variant) is a bit popular at the camp. How hectic (fun) is it?!?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:46:20
SUPER FUN
tani_lex 2023-02-15 20:46:23
How many instructors are there and how many counselors are there?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:46:40
Usually about 8 JCs, 12 Mentors, and 10 assorted others (some of whom are Faculty).
MinecraftPlayer404 2023-02-15 20:46:45
What is the competitive aspect of Mathcamp? Are there any mock contests or prep for harder contests?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:47:16
Competitions aren't a big deal at Mathcamp, but (scroll up for the relevant link) we do run some informal weekly contests. There are no mock/prep events.
audio99 2023-02-15 20:47:22
What are the qualifications for financial aid?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:47:32
Mathcamp is completely free for US and Canadian families with household incomes below $75,000 (with typical assets) and tuition is on a sliding scale for middle-income and international families.
eibc 2023-02-15 20:47:41
Which summer camps are most similar in their structure and social life to Mathcamp?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:48:18
Hmm, good question! In some sense, all of the summer math enrichment programs are places where you get to dive into interesting math and meet like-minded peers. You might think of these programs as sorting academically into three categories -- competition programs (like AwesomeMath); single-focus programs (like PROMYS and Ross, which have a Number Theory curriculum, or SUMaC, which has two tracks); and broader programs (like HCSSiM and MathILy and MathPath), which offer a variety of course topics. Mathcamp is in the 'broad' category, and maybe most similar to MathPath and Hampshire.
ALmathiscool 2023-02-15 20:48:29
PA/ What happens if we get sick?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:48:50
There is a camp nurse who supports the students' health – of course, in case of illness or injury, but also to help students who are dealing with homesickness, anxiety/depression, or just finding that it's hard to be a teenager.
eibc 2023-02-15 20:48:54
Zai/14/massachusetts: how many covid shots are required?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:49:08
We will require all participants (students, staff, and guests) to be fully vaccinated. A full course of any WHO-approved vaccine is acceptable, including boosters if eligible. Here's more information: https://www.mathcamp.org/current_program/covid_vaccine_mandate/
myoeee 2023-02-15 20:49:29
If your parents have more than 75k, but they have to use it for other things, can we still have financial aid or not?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:49:46
The bottom line: don't let money prevent you from applying. For lots of details about scholarships: https://www.mathcamp.org/admission/scholarships/
MinecraftPlayer404 2023-02-15 20:49:51
AZ / What resources do Mathcamp provide, in terms of technology? Are we allowed to bring our own technology to Mathcamp?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:50:15
The dorm has computers and phones that students can use! But many (in fact, probably most) students bring their own technology.
audio99 2023-02-15 20:50:21
How long are students in class + studying, a day?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:51:01
It really varies, because you get to set your own schedule. But I'd say most students are doing math in the 9am–5pm range, taking some (possibly very long) breaks in there.
hambugersrock 2023-02-15 20:51:08
what if someone gets covid?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:51:48
We have protocols for this! First priority: take care of you. Second priority: make sure that there isn't transmission to others.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:52:05
(You can read more here: https://www.mathcamp.org/current_program/covid_response_plan/)
audio99 2023-02-15 20:52:07
How big is the campus?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:52:33
It's quite small, actually. The campus at Champlain is compact and convenient.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:52:49
(Also beautiful: there are really lovely westward views of the lake and the Adirondack mountains. The dorms surround a quad, and there's always a green space for throwing around a frisbee.)
tani_lex 2023-02-15 20:52:53
Is the campus big enough to get lost on?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:53:10
It's pretty unlikely to get lost! Things are very well marked.
rirobaki 2023-02-15 20:53:12
Wow use have a page for everything
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:53:16
<3 thank you
aopsuser008 2023-02-15 20:53:18
Do we need air conditioning?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:53:26
Just about every space on campus is air-conditioned, including our dorms and our classrooms.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:53:41
But the weather in Vermont is warm and pleasant over the summer. (That's one of the reasons we picked a campus in northern New England!) A typical day in July has a high of 26 C / 78 F. It occasionally gets to 90 degrees (last July about six times), and basically never gets to 100 degrees.
Unevenlogic 2023-02-15 20:53:55
Are there people supervising dormitories?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:54:25
Yes! Each student has a Residential Advisor living on their hall of the dorm who looks out for them.
NotLeonhard 2023-02-15 20:54:31
do you get to choose which classes you want to go to every week?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:54:35
Yes!
Fermat1665 2023-02-15 20:54:56
Are the odds of my acceptance to math camp equivalent to the probability that my question will be answered in this math jam?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:55:12
what a mood
starwars101 2023-02-15 20:55:21
Is there a curfew/lights out time?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:55:30
We don't have an official camp curfew; again, like everything else at camp, you decide when you're ready to go to sleep. We do, however, have some systems set up to make sure everybody gets the sleep they need. Some parts of our dorm buildings have quiet hours beginning at 10pm; the others have quiet hours beginning at midnight.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:55:39
To help you support you in making good decisions about when to go to sleep: on weeknights, all the social lounges close at midnight (at which point you need to be in a dorm room rather than a common space, and just be sure that you're not keeping anybody else awake who is sleeping).
mockingjay11 2023-02-15 20:55:42
I just looked at one of the typical schedules from last year: is monday a break day or something?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:55:48
Sunday and Monday are field trip days, yes
Clement_Zhou 2023-02-15 20:55:50
If I never heard of any topics you are teaching, is there a chance that I still get accepted?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:56:07
Yeah, there sure is!! We hope to introduce students to lots of new ideas at camp.
pinkvf68 2023-02-15 20:56:15
Do we need to worry about mosquitoes?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:56:32
My recollection is that mosquitos aren't bad in Vermont, except at sunset by the lake.
MinecraftPlayer404 2023-02-15 20:56:39
What sort of recreational activities do Mathcamp provide?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:57:01
Oh, wow, everything under the sun. If people are interested in it, the someone will put up a sign on the Schedule Board and we'll have an event for it!
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:57:21
For example: cooking and baking are very, very popular at camp these days – everything from homemade pierogis to multi-course Korean meals to blue cookies (why blue? I don't remember) to shrimp cupcakes (oddly popular, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯, ymmv).
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:57:45
Music is also very popular.
Bluedevils 2023-02-15 20:57:50
how easy is going off campus to buy groceries etc
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:58:22
Very straightforward: you go with a group, check out with a staff member to let us know where you're going (and that you have a plan), and then check back in when you return to campus.
CalvinGarces 2023-02-15 20:58:24
Calvin / do rooms have fridges?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:58:36
No, but there's a shared fridge in the kitchen.
OrcinusOrca1 2023-02-15 20:58:38
is there pick up arrangement for campers arriving from abroad or parents need to drop them?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:58:44
We pick up students at the airport!
Fermat1665 2023-02-15 20:58:47
Will hagoromo chalk be provided for those attending camp? Or are you all using crayola this year?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:58:51
EXCELLENT QUESTION
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:58:56
HAGOROMO ALL THE WAY
Alexwinning 2023-02-15 20:59:01
Is there class on July 4 ?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:59:05
Yes!
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:59:19
(But probably also a field trip that evening, for fun.)
starwars101 2023-02-15 20:59:22
Do any of the field trips involve camping?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 20:59:29
No, sorry – they're all day trips.
tani_lex 2023-02-15 20:59:34
Are all classes the same difficulty? If not, how would we know which ones are harder and which ones are easier?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:00:01
Classes come in a big variety of difficulty levels! They're marked on the schedule with chili peppers to indicate spiciness. More spicy = faster pace, more abstract.
Fermat1665 2023-02-15 21:00:03
If I eat something really spicy on campus, will there be milk nearby so that I can diffuse the heat?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:00:10
Yes, in fact, there is milk in the dining hall.
ThousandthStar 2023-02-15 21:00:17
Do we make our own food?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:00:40
You can do some cooking/baking if you'd like (with staff supervision), but meals are all provided in the college dining hall.
SeriousMath7 2023-02-15 21:00:46
Onoclea/15/PA: Do classes change week to week? Or do you take the same class several days in a row?
yambe2002 2023-02-15 21:00:59
how long is each class? or does it like depend?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:01:17
Most classes run one hour per day, for five days. (But there's some variation – e.g., some classes run for multiple weeks.)
peace09 2023-02-15 21:01:43
would the campers have chances to attend religious services on weekend?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:01:46
Yes, of course!
OrcinusOrca1 2023-02-15 21:01:56
can campers be taken away by their parents in weekends?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:02:01
Sure
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:02:13
(though weekends are quite busy, so almost everybody is there for the whole 35 days)
bss9878 2023-02-15 21:02:15
Bonnie / Parent / New Mexico What makes Burlington, VT, a great place for Mathcamp?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:02:44
Oh, wow, I just love Burlington, so I am biased here. Let's start with the weather.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:02:49
Here's Burlington's climate data in general and last July's weather in particular: https://www.weather-us.com/en/vermont-usa/burlington-weather-july and https://www.accuweather.com/en/us/burlington/05401/july-weather/331220?year=2022
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:03:40
But more importantly: there's a lake, there are mountains, there's a super cute, friendly, safe town that is walking distance of campus; there are bookstores and ice cream shops (Ben & Jerry's in particular is from Vermont originally)...
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:04:06
It's a great college town. I'm really excited to bring Mathcamp there.
rirobaki 2023-02-15 21:04:11
What happens if it rains
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:04:26
ymmv but I suspect you will get slightly damp.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:04:39
(But seriously: it doesn't rain much in the summer there.)
rirobaki 2023-02-15 21:04:46
Will there be security such as police officers or is it a closed campus
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:04:58
The campus is not closed; there are indeed security officers.
audio99 2023-02-15 21:05:10
At what age do you recomend applying?
oyc_1975 2023-02-15 21:05:10
how does the age range at camp look - are there more people of a certain grade/age or is it roughly the same?
Liontiger 2023-02-15 21:05:10
What is the typical age for campers?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:05:27
Scroll up for data, but: typically, the mean, median, and mode of ages are all 16.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:05:40
(But you can apply at any age between 13 and 18, and we sometimes make exceptions for 19-year-olds.)
bburubburu 2023-02-15 21:05:45
Will you need to bring money
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:06:14
Students typically bring a small amount of spending money for pizza / ice cream / etc, but you won't really need much: everything is included in the program.
Rinnypig 2023-02-15 21:06:17
If we don't get accepted but we plan on applying next time, is there a way to request feedback on our application?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:06:29
Great question (and I'll use this as an excuse to wrap up):
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:06:44
We unfortunately don't have the staff power to give detailed feedback to applicants. (Just too many of you, too few of us.)
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:07:00
BUT: we will do one more Math Jam this season, after applications are done, about the Qualifying Quiz.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:07:12
Unlike this one, that Math Jam is a math class! We'll work through the solutions together in detail.
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:07:20
So that will help you get a sense of how your Quiz went this year.
mathstalker 2023-02-15 21:07:23
What do you think is the best part of Mathcamp?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:07:26
<3 the campers.
harryhero 2023-02-15 21:07:33
The freedom of choice
harryhero 2023-02-15 21:07:35
HAGOROMO
LearningIsFun999 2023-02-15 21:07:41
When will that Math Jam be?
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:08:05
Typically in May; stay tuned. (We'll post it on https://www.mathcamp.org/qualifying_quiz/solutions/.)
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:08:18
Okay, everybody - time to wrap up. Thanks for spending your evening with us!
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:08:27
If we didn't get to your question, feel free to email admissions23@mathcamp.org and we'll be happy to continue the conversation. You can also post questions in the Mathcamp forum here on AoPS; the Mathcamp staff will post replies, and you'll get student opinions, too. Here's the forum: http://www.artofproblemsolving.com/community/c135_mathcamp
CalvinGarces 2023-02-15 21:08:36
Thank you for all the insights
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:08:43
Thank you for all the great questions!
devenware 2023-02-15 21:08:50
Thank you all for joining us, and a big thanks to Marisa and Ania!
jaypark123572 2023-02-15 21:09:01
thanks!
aopsuser008 2023-02-15 21:09:01
Thanks!
LearningIsFun999 2023-02-15 21:09:01
Thank you!
harryhero 2023-02-15 21:09:01
nono thank u >:]
harryhero 2023-02-15 21:09:01
^
grayspider 2023-02-15 21:09:01
Thank you for doing this!
DigitalDisco 2023-02-15 21:09:01
Thank you Marisa!
Pendronator 2023-02-15 21:09:01
Thank you so much!
harryhero 2023-02-15 21:09:01
I'm definitely gonna apply now
oliver.zhang 2023-02-15 21:09:01
thank you!
Rinnypig 2023-02-15 21:09:01
Thank you so much!
pinkvf68 2023-02-15 21:09:01
Thank you!!!
devenware 2023-02-15 21:09:17
If you have further questions for Mathcamp, you can contact them at https://www.mathcamp.org/contact_us/
devenware 2023-02-15 21:09:25
Finally, a transcript of this Math Jam will be posted here soon.
GeometryJake 2023-02-15 21:09:28
THANKS!!
SeriousMath7 2023-02-15 21:09:28
Thank you!
Chesssaga 2023-02-15 21:09:28
Thank you!
NotLeonhard 2023-02-15 21:09:28
thank you so so much!!!
Heidi_Yan 2023-02-15 21:09:28
Thanks!
mathstalker 2023-02-15 21:09:28
Thank you so much!
MarisaD 2023-02-15 21:09:32
Have a good night, everybody!

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