Mathematics Research as an Undergraduate

<p>I know it's a long shot imagining that someone on these forums knows such detailed information about the math department, but I might as well try. I was accepted EA and am thrilled to consider UChicago, since my primary passion is mathematics and discovery therein. I also wish to pursue mathematics in graduate school (this is merely my current aspiration, but still relevant within my mind), which would probably require some published research to get into a good grad school. My question is, how difficult is it for an undergraduate to get involved in mathematics research? I know that scientific research is much simpler as a whole, since much of it is experimental; but mathematics is so theoretical as to make it difficult for an undergraduate (let alone an underclassman) to find something worthy of publication. Would I have to really dedicate myself to accelerated learning and proactively petition professors for such research positions?</p>

<p>Any input on this matter, no matter how small, would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>4th-year math major here.</p>

<p>There are SO many research opportunities that it’s ridiculous, and most of them are paid. In particular, Chicago runs its own summer REU program (which I guess has been rejected for funding by the government next year due to budget cuts, but the math department might pick up the tab). </p>

<p>Last year’s REU can be found here: [VIGRE</a> REU 2010](<a href=“http://www.math.uchicago.edu/~may/VIGRE/VIGREREU2010.html]VIGRE”>VIGRE REU 2010)</p>

<p>Obviously I’m going to support Chicago as an alumnus, but I think that Chicago probably offers the best research opportunities in mathematics for undergraduates than any other school in the nation (or at least, is on par with the very top, but I wouldn’t even say that).</p>