<p>Hi, I have to make a decision whether to accept my invitation to Ross Mathematics Program. I was wondering how valuable it would be a college resume and/or learning.</p>
<p>If I decline the invitation I will be volunteering as a teaching robotics at a local Carnegie Mellon University summer program and preparing for olympiads (USAMO, USACO, USABO etc.). It should be noted, that there is a slim possibility of doing research at a local university.</p>
<p>Any input or information as to which option I should pick, in different circumstances, would be greatly appreciated.</p>
<p>Ross is pretty well known, and it’s definitely an academically rigorous program. Value to a college resume? That’s probably negligible if you’re at USAMO level.</p>
<p>The volunteering thing sounds interesting, and prepping for olympiads is something you should focus on if you’re serious about getting to the top in them. I don’t know how much time that leaves for research.</p>
<p>It all boils down to, I think, which you would prefer: a structured mathematics program, or non-program-based studying plus some volunteering.</p>