Participants

What is the Ross Mathematics Program?

Ross is a six-week, residential, summer session for high school students who are well prepared in standard high school math topics and eager to explore more advanced ideas. One goal of this program is to provide a first step toward independent mathematical research; it is not oriented toward math contests. We encourage mathematical collaboration and community building, as opposed to direct competition between students.

Ross participants spend most of each day working on challenging sets of problems dealing with abstract mathematical concepts. By working for several weeks on one subject (number theory), participants delve deeply into the underpinnings of that subject, but more importantly, they learn to communicate mathematical ideas clearly and to write convincing proofs of all their claims. Learn more about mathematics at the Ross Program.

Program Dates

In 2020 and 2021 the Ross Program was entirely online. In 2022, we returned to in-person sessions, with participants living in a dormitory.

There will be two sites for the Ross/USA program:

• at Otterbein University in Columbus, OH, June 9 through July 19, 2024, and
• at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana, June 16 through July 26, 2024.

All participants typically live with a roommate in a campus dormitory. Learn more about life and living at the Ross Program.

Eligibility and Applying

Pre-college students who are passionate about mathematics are invited to apply. First-year students range in age from 15 to 18 years old, but in rare cases, younger or older students are accepted. Admission decisions are based on several criteria, including: school transcripts, teacher recommendations, essays concerning the applicant's interests and goals, and the applicant's work on some challenging math problems.

The fee for attending the Ross Program is $7000, though we are able to provide financial aid for students who need financial assistance to attend the program. The student fee covers tuition, housing, and meals at the Ross Program. Learn more about applying to the Ross Program and financial aid.

Undergraduate math majors and math graduate students are invited to apply to be a Ross counselor.

Nondiscrimination Policy

The Ross Mathematics Program admits students of any race, color, national origin, and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the Ross Program. It doesn't discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, or ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admission policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other Ross-administered programs.

We recognize the existing gender and racial disparities within the mathematics community. In our commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, we highly encourage applications from individuals of underrepresented backgrounds.