<p>UMTYMP student,</p>
<p>What topics are covered at ROSS? I am thinking about self-studying number theory before I go to ROSS, as I really am not that good at math and don’t want to look like an idiot 
(I had to slave at the problem set for two months before I was confident enough to send it in). Is any Intro to Number Theory type book OK to self study from? And what topics are covered the heaviest?</p>
<p>And also, are you allowed to play games on the campus library computers (namely SC2)? <- I am addicted :(. I was thinking about bringing my macbook air but it seems that ROSS is pretty strict on that.</p>
<p>And how long are you expected to work on the problem sets? How long does it usually take? Do people work in groups or individually? <- I find that I work best when I can bounce ideas off someone else. Do most people do math from morning to afternoon (and rest and hang out in the evening?)? Are there any EC activities that allow us a break from the hardcore math?</p>
<p>Thanks for answering my abundant questions,</p>
<p>Note: @ConcreteVitamin
Don’t give up hope! Try applying to PROMYS. The questions’ overall difficulty is lower than ROSS’s, but they have some tricky ones on there that are also harder than ROSS’s questions. However, since you at least got onto the waitlist for SUMAC, (and your solution using modular arithmetic was very neat) I think you can do fine!</p>
<p>The Ross program gives a list of course topics here: [The</a> Ross Mathematics Summer Program for high school students, held on The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio](<a href=“Ross Mathematics Program - The Ross Mathematics Program”>Ross Mathematics Program - The Ross Mathematics Program). I wouldn’t worry about looking like an idiot due to lack of talent. Ross will only accept people who will be able to do decently well if they work. The people who do the worst at Ross are without exception those who are too lazy to work hard. I wouldn’t recommend studying number theory before coming to Ross; you’ll do more than enough number theory at Ross. However, if you want to prepare for Ross I would recommend working on proof writing. I think you’d be better off studying something like logic or set theory before coming to Ross.</p>
<p>Ross will not allow you to bring a laptop for gaming. Although playing games on library computers is technically prohibited and will make the counselors like you less, plenty of people do it anyways and they won’t actually stop you.</p>
<p>People spend wildy varying amounts of time on the problem sets. Some people might only spend a couple of hours a day on math although those people don’t do that well. Others will spend like 12 hours a day every day on problem sets. I think it takes the average Ross student 2-3 days to do a set although there is wide variation. You can work in groups or by yourself. Although it is kinda frowned upon if you come up with the solutions with other people it is not prohibited and it is certainly acceptable to bounce ideas off other people. People at Ross are on about every schedule imaginable. Some people work in the morning and afternoon and relax in the evening. Personally, my schedule was roughly like this
9 AM wake up and go to classes
10-11 AM after classes have lunch
12 PM go back to the dorm and take a nap
4 PM wake up and either work or go to the library to use computers
6 PM dinner
7 PM -4 AM work on problem sets
4 AM go to bed. Every week there is a frisbee game and some weeks there is another scheduled activity. For the most part though, free time is yours to use as you wish. Some people like to go the gym or hang out. You can also take a break more or less whenever you want as long as you remain productive.</p>
<p>@ivybridge</p>
<p>Thanks for your comfort. It is AP month now, and I don’t think I have time for application to another program. Have fun at Ross.</p>
<p>Also, from the Ross website, [Ross</a> Mathematics Program, held at Ohio State University in Columbus](<a href=“Ross Mathematics Program - The Ross Mathematics Program”>Ross Mathematics Program - The Ross Mathematics Program)
“Nearly all spots in the 2011 Program are full.
Applications received after May 2 might not be considered.” If you haven’t applied already, you should do so very soon.</p>
<p>Another question:</p>
<p>Do the students travel off campus? Are you allowed to visit nearby places (maybe to buy some gifts or perhaps watch a movie)?</p>
<p>I’m assuming that they give you a bit of freedom (as you sleep at 4AM :P), so do you have to be back in your dorm by some time or are you just allowed to be a “university student”?</p>
<p>Students are not allowed off campus without a counselor. However, there is a CVS on the far side of campus and counselors routinely take people to the closer one as well. There is a also a university bookstore on campus but I think those are only two place you’ll have easy access to. There is a movie theather near campus but I don’t think students are normally allowed to go there. Essentialy, there are 5 major rules at Ross:
- Get problem sets done at a reasonable rate
- Don’t leave campus without a counselor
- Be in the dorms after dark
- Go to the 1-2 hours of classes a day.
- Don’t possess prohibited items such as laptops.
Other than those 5 rules, your behavior at Ross is more or less unrestricted.</p>
<p>What do you do on weekends? Is it generally free time, or is it just more math?</p>
<p>There are no classes, so most people sleep in. You’re expected to work on math for part of the time but the rest of the time is free. I guess at Ross the line between free time and math time is very blurred. Some camps might be like 4-6 work on math and then 6-8 free time but at Ross other than for classes all the time is free but you’re expected to get stuff done. There were certainly weekends where I was on set [at Ross you’re said to be on set if you’ve finished all the problem sets handed out so far. in the beginining there are typically a small group of people on set which shrinks until more or less everyone is no longer on set] and spent little to no time during math. Even if you are never on set, you could probably take a day or two off from math if you really wanted to.</p>
<p>How long does it take them to confirm your acceptance?</p>
<p>I got the acceptance email three days ago, and told them I would be attending, but I still haven’t gotten a reply. I’m thinking about calling them…</p>
<p>At least last year they never sent me an email response when I told them I was coming. I just got the packet of forms in mid-May. I guess you can call them if you want but I don’t think you really need to.</p>
<p>Are you coming back as a counselor, UMTYMP student?</p>
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<p>Also, I was looking through the athletic centers. Are we allowed access to all of them? (The rockclimbing looks pretty fun :P) Also, do you know if anyone played tennis there? Should I bring my own racket and use the signup partner sheet?</p>
<p>I’ll be coming back as a junior counselor. I’m not sure if you’re allowed to use all the athletic facilities but I know you’re allowed to go the main gym center. I think some people played tennis but I’m not sure. I assume you’d be allowed to bring a racket but again I’m not really sure. To be honest, I never used the athletic facilities although I think almost everyone else did.</p>
<p>So my friend tells me you’re allowed to use ‘Everything but rock wall, basically’.</p>
<p>ivybridge, </p>
<p>I play tennis too. Maybe we can hit while wer’e over there.</p>
<p>Maybe we can 
I’ll find you when I’m there and we can hit lol (I don’t want to get uberfat with the junk food that I no doubtly will be eating there).</p>
<p>On a side note: Did you get an email confirming your acceptance? I sent them an email asking to confirm it, and they haven’t responded yet. Tried calling them but kept going to voicemail X(.</p>
<p>Hi, can anybody tell me how long it usually takes for a response to your application? I sent mine on Thursday April 21 to arrive by Saturday April 23 (or Monday the 25th) and no response of any sort yet.</p>
<p>I think the usual response time is about 2 weeks but it may be slightly longer now that’s it peak application season.</p>
<p>Really? It only took them a week at the end of April for me. Do most applications come in during May?</p>