Frequently Asked Questions.
Program Questions
Living Arrangements
- Where do the students live?
- What is the mailing address?
- How are the dorm rooms furnished?
- Is there a curfew?
- Are the students segregated from traditional Ohio State students?
- What are the security arrangements in the dorm?
- Are there life counselors (as opposed to math counselors)? Someone to check that they are eating right, doing laundry,
cleaning their room, etc. - What do they eat? Where do they eat? How often do they eat? Are there any accommodations for my
child's special dietary needs, such as diabetes, peanut allergy, gluten intolerance, vegetarianism, etc.?
Packing List
- How do most students handle money - cash, credit cards, ATMs?
- What expenses are not covered in the program fees? Do you have a suggested/recommended additional spending allowance?
- Is there shopping within easy access?
- Are laptop computers encouraged? What about other electronic devices?
Transportation
- What is the transportation around campus? To/from lectures and the dorm?
- Where are the math lectures and seminars held?
- Is there transportation to/from the airport if s/he flies in or out unaccompanied?
- Do some students bring cars? Are there restrictions on students riding with other students?
- Do students bring/use bicycles?
Health Concerns
- Is a physical required?
- Do we need health insurance?
- Is there a nurse on duty/doctors on call?
- Is there a campus clinic that they can attend for minor problems?
- Is there a pharmacy on campus?
Recreation
- My child likes to swim/run/lift weights/play tennis/etc. and would like to continue the training program during the summer.
Are there safe areas to run? Access to a running track? A gym? A swimming pool? tennis courts? - Is there someone there who can give lessons?
- Are there events planned for nights and weekends? Is social interaction encouraged?
- Do you conduct field trips to other locations?
- Are parents allowed/ encouraged to make mid-session visits to campus?
International Concerns
Just Curious
- How many students are admitted to the Program?
- What is the ratio of boys to girls?
- What is the average age? What is the age spread? Is my child too young/old?
- Where do the students come from?
- Is the Ross Program like PROMYS, Canada/USA Mathcamp, HCSSiM, SUMaC, etc?
Program Questions
1. What is the Ross Mathematics Program?
This Program is an six-week, residential session for high school students who are talented in mathematics, well prepared in standard high school math topics, and are eager to explore more advanced ideas. 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 of their assertions. One goal of this program is to provide a first step toward independent mathematical research. It is not oriented towards math contests: direct competition between students is avoided.
Admission is not automatic. Each successful applicant has a strong high school record and exhibits excellent work on the mathematical problems that form part of the application. In the past couple of years, fewer than half of the applicants were accepted.
3. Are scholarships available?
The Ross Program provides limited scholarship support to qualified students who cannot otherwise afford to attend. (Requests for support should be made after a student has been accepted to the Program.) Various academic institutions in the applicant's home city or state might have available scholarships. In addition, the national high school mathematical society, Mu Alpha Theta (www.mualphatheta.org/Grants/SummerGrants.aspx), has some scholarship support for participation in math programs. Other scholarship opportunities include Davidson Institute (www.davidsongifted.org) and Jack Kent Cooke Foundation (www.jkcf.org).
Living Arrangements
- Where do the students live?
- What is the mailing address?
- How are the dorm rooms furnished?
- Is there a curfew?
- Are the students segregated from traditional Ohio State students?
- What are the security arrangements in the dorm?
- Are there life counselors (as opposed to math counselors)? Someone to check that they are eating right, doing laundry, cleaning their room, etc.
- What do they eat? Where do they eat? How often do they eat? Are there any accommodations for my child's special dietary needs, such as diabetes, peanut allergy, gluten intolerance, vegetarianism, etc.?
1. Where do the students live?
Students live in one of the dormitories on the north campus of the Ohio State University in Columbus. Students typically share a small suite with one roommate. We try to arrange for roommates to have about the same level of mathematical experience. These assignments usually match the ages of the students, but not always.
2. What is the mailing address?
The mailing address for Ross Program participants is:
(participant's name)
Ross Mathematics Program
Department of Mathematics - OSU
231 W. 18th Ave.
Columbus, OH 43210-1174.
This Math address seems more reliable than the dormitory address. Dorm deliveries sometimes get lost within Ohio State's system of summer housing.
3. How are the dorm rooms furnished?
Each suite has a small private bathroom; a study room; and a separate sleeping area with single beds, closets and drawers. The building is air-conditioned. The study room has built-in desks, some chairs (with cushions), and a mini-fridge/microwave unit. Sheets, pillowcases, pillows, and blankets are provided. Students need to bring their own towels, washcloths, shampoo, soap and other personal items such as an alarm clock.
All students must be inside the dormitory after dark. Students are not allowed off campus unless accompanied by a counselor.
5. Are the students segregated from traditional Ohio State students?
The Ross Mathematics Program fills up two floors of a 4-story dorm. But college students live nearby and some of them attend summer classes. Various other academic and athletic camps for a wide range of ages are held on campus. Their participants arrive and leave throughout the summer.
6. What are the security arrangements in the dorm?
The dormitory is locked, accessible only by key card. Each room also has its own lock and key. In spite of these arrangements, there may be some crime by outsiders, so we advise students to lock their doors when they leave their rooms. Students should not to bring valuable items or large amounts of cash.
7. Are there life counselors (as opposed to math counselors)? Someone to check that students are eating right, doing laundry, cleaning their room, etc.
Ross counselors and students live in the same dormitory. There is some supervision, but we expect students to be mature enough to choose what and when they eat, to do their own laundry, keep themselves and their rooms clean, and to get enough sleep. If someone is not mature enough to do those things, and distracts other students from their mathematical work, we arrange for that student to leave the program and return home.
8. What do they eat? Where do they eat? How often do they eat? Are there any accommodations for my child's special dietary needs, such as diabetes, peanut allergy, gluten intolerance, vegetarianism, etc.?
Each participant receives a pre-programmed meal card, allowing three meals a day. Close to the dorm there is a traditional, cafeteria-style dining hall, North Commons, offering two entrees per meal with assorted side dishes, beverages, and a full salad bar. Several other places on campus also accept meal cards, such as the restaurants in the Ohio Union or at Mirror Lake. Menus are posted on the Dining Services web site.
Packing List
- How do most students handle money - cash, credit cards, ATM's?
- What expenses are not covered in the program fees? Do you have a suggested/recommended additional spending allowance?
- Is there shopping within easy access?
- Are laptop computers encouraged? What about other electronic devices?
1. What do students need to bring?
Sheets, blankets, pillows, and pillowcases are provided. Students need to bring their own towels, washcloths, shampoo, soap, etc. They also need to bring clothes appropriate for a Columbus summer, including a jacket and possibly rain gear. A certain amount of cash is needed for laundry, snacks, and souvenirs.
2. How do most students handle money - cash, credit cards, ATMs?
Students may use ATMs to withdraw cash from home accounts. If there is a problem, one of the staff members can take the student to a bank to help him or her cash a personal check, traveler's check, or money order.
3. What expenses are not covered in the program fees? Do you have a suggested/recommended additional spending allowance?
Washers and dryers in the dorm require quarters to run (approximately $2.50 per load) and you need your own detergent. There is not much more that students are required to buy. Some students purchase an occasional late-night pizza, some souvenirs, books, etc.
4. Is there shopping within easy access?
There are stores nearby, but students are asked not to leave the campus unless accompanied by a counselor. If special items are needed from the grocery or elsewhere, a counselor accompanies the student to the store. A CVS pharmacy and the University Bookstore are on campus.
5. Are laptop computers encouraged? What about other electronic devices?
All the mathematical ideas presented in the Ross Program are investigated with pencil and paper. Students are NOT allowed to bring computers, TV sets, video game systems, or DVD players. We also ask students to refrain from using smart phones, or borrowing computers for computing, searching, surfing, or playing games. Some computers are available in the dorm for checking email.
Transportation
- What is the transportation around campus? To/from lectures and the dorm?
- Where are the math lectures and seminars held?
- Is there transportation to/from the airport if s/he flies in or out unaccompanied?
- Do some students bring cars? Are there restrictions on students riding with other students?
- Do students bring/use bicycles?
1. What is the transportation around campus? To/from lectures and the dorm?
All travel on campus is by walking.
2. Where are the math lectures and seminars held?
The lectures and seminars are usually held in University Hall, about 5 blocks from the dormitories.
3. Is there transportation to/from the airport if he/she flies in or out unaccompanied?
We meet students at the airport in Columbus Ohio (CMH) and drive them to the dorm. At the end of the summer, we provide transportation to the airport.
4. Do some students bring cars? Are there restrictions on students riding with other students?
First-year students are not allowed to bring cars.
5. Do students bring/use bicycles?
First-year students are not allowed to bring bicycles.
Health Concerns
- Is a physical required?
- Do we need health insurance?
- Is there a nurse on duty/doctors on call?
- Is there a campus clinic that they can attend for minor problems?
- Is there a pharmacy on campus?
No, but we do need to know of any existing medical conditions, so a complete health history is required.
2. Do we need health insurance?
Each student must have medical insurance with coverage in Columbus, Ohio. Proof of insurance is required. If you do not have adequate coverage, we can suggest places to purchase short-term health insurance.
3. Is there a nurse on duty/doctors on call?
For any medical concerns, Wilce Student Health Center and The Ohio State University Medical Center are on campus. If a student is sick or injured, a counselor or staff member transports and accompanies them to the hospital or clinic.
4. Is there a campus clinic that they can attend for minor problems?
Yes, the Wilce Student Health Center clinic is near the lecture hall, within five or six blocks of the dorm.
5. Is there a pharmacy on campus?
There is a CVS pharmacy on campus, within walking distance of the dorm.
Recreation
- My child likes to swim/run/lift weights/play tennis/etc. and would like to continue the training program during the summer.
Are there safe areas to run? Access to a running track? A gym? A swimming pool? tennis courts? - Is there someone there who can give lessons?
- Are events planned for nights and weekends? Is social interaction encouraged?
- Do you conduct field trips to other locations?
- Are parents allowed/ encouraged to make mid-session visits to campus?
1. My child likes to swim/run/lift weights/play tennis/etc. and would like to continue the training program during the summer. Are there safe areas to run? Access to a running track? A gym? A swimming pool? tennis courts?
As part of the program, the students have access to the RPAC (Recreation and Physical Activity Center). It has an indoor track, swimming pools, gyms, courts, exercise machines, etc. There are also safe running paths and tennis courts outside. However, Ross students are expected to spend most of their time (even on weekends) thinking about math problems and writing up problem sets.
2. Is there someone there who can give lessons?
Most OSU students and faculty are away from campus during the summer. As a result, there are no organized sports activities or available sports or music instructors. In some situations it might be possible to arrange for private lessons, but that process is not facilitated by the Ross Program staff.
3. Are there events planned for nights and weekends? Is social interaction encouraged?
The counselors organize some informal activities like the weekly Ultimate Frisbee game and the Talent Show. However, students are expected to spend most of their waking hours, working on the mathematical problem sets. Weekends are spent mostly catching up on problem sets that weren't completed during the week. When they are not concentrating on math, students are welcome to use the University libraries and recreational facilities.
4. Do you conduct field trips to other locations?
We organize two off-campus events - fireworks on Independence Day and the Annual Picnic.
5. Are parents allowed/ encouraged to make mid-session visits to campus?
We strongly discourage overnight absences for students in this Program. Students build up momentum working full-time on hard problems. That momentum is halted when a student takes a day or two off. Parents are certainly welcome to visit for a day and take students out to dinner. But movies or similar events tend distract students from mathematical motivations and interests. They can watch movies and TV at home, after the Ross Program is over. This policy might seem hard core, but the idea is to get students excited about the mathematical ideas and to concentrate all their energy on solving the problems (and to postpone other parts of their lives).
International Concerns
1. Do you accept international students?
Every year, a few students from outside the U.S. are accepted to the Ross Program. Of course they are highly talented, students, eager to learn abstract mathematical ideas, and speak fluent English. Some financial aid is available for excellent students, but we cannot provide support for travel expenses.
2. What sort of visa is needed?
Students at the Ross Mathematics Program are NOT registered officially as college students, and do not receive any official credit from the University. Therefore, you can correctly view this trip as a mathematical vacation, and use a standard tourist visa.
Just Curious
- How many students are admitted to the Program?
- What is the ratio of boys to girls?
- What is the average age? What is the age spread? Is my child too young/old?
- Where do the students come from?
- Is the Ross Program like PROMYS, Canada/USA Mathcamp, HCSSiM, SUMaC, etc?
1. How many students are admitted to the Program?
There are usually about 40 first-year students, supported by approximately 10 junior counselors and 10 counselors.
2. What is the ratio of boys to girls?
Approximately one-fourth of the participants are female.
3. What is the average age? What is the age spread? Is my child too young/old?
Nearly all Ross participants are 15 to 18 years old, and the average age of first-year students is 16. We occasionally admit some exceptionally mature 14 year olds, as well as some students who have already graduated from high school.
4. Where do the students come from?
Ross participants come from all over the United States. We've also had students from other countries, including Canada, Mexico, Spain, China, South Korea, Greece, and Turkey.
5. How does the Ross Program compare to other summer math programs like PROMYS, Canada/USA Mathcamp, HCSSiM, SUMaC, etc?
Prominent summer math programs for high school students are listed on the
mathcamps page run by the American Mathematical Society.
A key feature of the Ross Program is that the students concentrate deeply on just one subject for the entire time. We are convinced that this commitment to focus and depth is far more valuable than short overviews of many different topics.
PROMYS at Boston University is similar to the Ross Program is several ways.