Hi. I’ve written and published math research during my time in high school and have consistently taken collegiate-level (e.g. Ordinary Differential equations) math courses and led math-related clubs. However, I have never been interested in taking part in mathematics competitions such as the AMC.
My question is if anyone has any suggestions on how to best focus on mathematics as my spike for elite level institutions such as Stanford when I have no participation in these competitions. I cannot upload any of my research to go with my application. How should I highlight it?
I don’t know how you can best highlight your math accomplishments, but I can confidently assure you that competing in math competitions isn’t necessary for admission to math programs at elite colleges.
Talk about it in your essays. List your math-related activities first on your application. Have someone talk about your research in a recommendation letter. You can also use Additional Info section to provide more details about your research.
Make sure you know what they look for. Otherwise, it’s hard to know how to make your best presentation. In general, it’s not spike but challenges taken on and the right rounding- depth and breadth. Let your real kid side show in your essay, explanations go in Addl Info. Be brief. Adcoms dont generally read a full abstract.
What math research are you talking about? It’s almost impossible to have original math research at this level. If yours is truly original, the math department of every college will want you.
I agree that original math research is very challenging for high schoolers to achieve, and I do also agree that it is nearly impossible if you are trying to solve a long-standing conjecture. To the best of my knowledge, my research is very minor in the grand scheme of things, notable for a high schooler, and original.
Yes and no; not being affiliated with any research institution, it has to be endorsed by an expert in the field to be submitted to ArXiV, and is currently being submitted and reviewed for an AMS journal (it passed the first vetting stage too)
Is there any “correct” way to note that although it is currently “just” on Arxiv, it has in fact been endorsed/vetted by people in the field (since I am not at a research institution you have to do this).
Has your research been mentored? Most people doing advanced math research will work with a faculty advisor. Many have done summer math programs, or programs such as MIT PRIMES / PRIMES-USA which focus on mentorship and producing research. Many such individuals will have submitted their research to programs such as ISEF, Regeneron STS, or the Davidson Fellows program. The more your research is mentored and recognized, the more likely an impact this will have.
It’s probably too late to do most of these things, but if you have been working with a mentor you might consider a supplementary LOR. I also agree with the above posters that AMC / AIME and the like are not necessary.
My understanding I’d that arxiv is a repository of self uploaded papers accepted with “moderation,” not necessarily the level of vetting before being chosen for publication in the AMS journal. My experience with the journal vetting process in humanities is a review, sometimes with team approval for the originality, expertise, value and more.
Imo, consider simply saying it’s published (or “available”) in arxiv and being reviewed for publication in XXX journal. You can submit the abstract or a brief summary of that, with a link. Better chance S adcoms will know what arxiv is than click the link.
There is an off chance they’d ask a math faculty to look at it. But that’s IF your full app impresses. And that prof would briefly review your full app, too. So this is all more than just having done the research. Your whole app needs to be on target. Make sure you pay attention to that, what they look for beyond stats. Think about it.