Yes. like the title says, my passion is maths and I’m working hard to go to USAMO in my junior year in 2006. but I feel that it isnt fair.
I spend loads of time reading articles and solving problems but it takes a long time for my average brain to be good at it. Even if I make it into USAMO, colleges will prob recognize me as a math prodigy, not someone who worked exceptionally hard. I mean u can measure one’s ability in maths so easily compared to other things. If yer passion was drums or literature, colleges will think hey, this kids pretty cool! But as being an Asian who likes maths, college will prob see me as, oh another Asian kid who is streotypically good at maths.
Is there a way to show my passion in a different form other than making it into USAMO?
<p>Well I think only 250 student go to USMAO each year, so you are pretty distinguished if you get there. This would not be viewed as "just another x student good at math." Also, don't count on getting there, 250 is a really small pool. I think my dd considers math her most interesting subject, even though she is working really hard just to get a B in Calc BC. But she qualified for AIME this year so that's exciting. </p>
<p>Have you read "In Code"? This is really a fun read about a 16 year old girl, Sarah Flannery, who won Ireland's prestigious Young Scientist of the Year Award and a first place in the European Union's Young Scientist Contest for her science project "Cryptography -A New Algorithm Versus the RSA". She does not consider herself a math genius, just someone with intellectual curiosity who thought of a good project, then launched herself into competitions and internships in her area of interest. It also doubles as a cryptography puzzle book and she has some optional chapters on the mathematical basis for her work. I think this would be an inspiring example how getting involved can snowball into quite a distinguished resume.</p>
<p>My dd also got involved in a scientific area of interest, by just starting with time and labor intensive volunteering, but this turned into opportunities for research and publication that makes for quite a nice resume. Again the snowball effect from getting involved in an area of interest.</p>
<p>do u think colleges will appreciate my hard work? (if i ever do make it in that is). because I'm guessing most students get in with sheer brilliance (of course, hard work does follow but for an average person like me it is going to be tuff)</p>