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Calling all Albert Einsteins and Katherine Johnsons! It’s time to make sure your PROMYS application is as strong as it can possibly be. And that starts with polished and authentic essay responses. Let’s dive in!If you have not participated in a special program in math or science before, you can respond with a simple sentence stating such. If, however, you have had the opportunity to attend a similar program, we encourage you to address what you learned or took away from the experience. Bonus points if you can build a bridge between your past experience and PROMYS to show the natural progression of your skill development.
Alright, this prompt is for everybody. If you’re applying to a competitive summer program for mathematicians, odds are you’ve dipped your toe into the math-verse before. Use this space to reflect on your experience, interest/passion, and takeaways. Maybe your participation in math club allowed you to learn new tricks and connect with like-minded people. Or, perhaps, you and your friend built an app to help trans youth find LGBTQ+ friendly hostels, allowing you to apply your mathematical prowess to solving real-world problems.
What do you do for fun? How do you like to spend your free time? Don’t overthink your response to this question, and don’t worry if it has nothing to do with math! Make a preliminary list of your hobbies and consider how you can turn that list into a story. Maybe think about your ideal Saturday: how would you spend it? Would you start by cooking a gourmet breakfast (Gordon Ramsey, watch out!) or writing a poem? Maybe you’d go fishing with your dad or play basketball with your friends. The more details you can pepper into your response, the better. Bring your reader into your world to deepen their understanding of all things you.
This prompt is a classic in the world of admissions essays. In short, why are you applying? What interests you about the PROMYS experience and what do you hope to take away from the experience? Start by writing down everything that comes to mind. Next, head to the PROMYS website to read up on what they offer. Take specific notes on what appeals to you, and then marry your freewriting notes with your research notes. A strong response will also touch on your plans for the future and how the PROMYS program will help you get there.
If you’re looking for an opportunity to nerd out, look no further. Admissions seeks to gain insight into how your brain works. In your response, you need to address the following: which was your favorite problem and why, your process for solving it, and why it appealed to you in the first place. Your answers will reveal information about the kind of mathematician you are and will become. Good luck!
