Geometry & Topology REU Programs - Williams, Cornell, Tennessee, Indiana?

[owlpride]

So while I won't say which one it is, keep in mind there might be a few just starting to ask for applications while others are already sending out rejection notices.

I hated that. There were one or two programs last year which I might have chosen over the REU I eventually attended, but I did not even apply because they announced their program so late. At that point I was glad that I was done with applications, and I did not want to go bug my letter writers again.

I am curious though why some programs choose to announce their program late. Is there some concern that the "good" applicants have already committed to attend another program? A couple of my REU acceptances last summer were accompanied by a short note asking me to respond asap for exactly that reason.

 

[eri]

We wouldn't be waiting if it wasn't for the delay in NSF funding. We don't want to advertise an REU program and then not be able to fund it (and I'm sure none of the students want that either).

 

[union68]

I'm really hoping the NSF doesn't yank too many of the programs. The program that I think I have the best shot with still has to get funding confirmed.

What's up with all this funding talk anyways? Were there big budget cuts in the NSF or was everybody's grant up for renewal at the same time? I guess I'm sort of ignorant in this respect.

 

[zpconn]

Does anyone know the specific topics that the Cornell Summer Institute in Math is planning on covering? It says it's an advanced course in analysis, but does this mean measure theory, analysis on manifolds, functional analysis, all three, or what?

 

[kuahji]

Whew! All my applications are done and mailed. What a nightmare. I'm fairly certain that I sent the wrong letter of intent to the wrong place or mentioned the wrong professor's name in a letter. Ha! Keeping all of THAT stuff strait was the hard part.

I tell you, Nebraska and Cornell have this process nailed. Nice streamlined, user-friendly application systems. Big thumbs up from me to those two programs.

Now I'll just twiddle my thumbs till I hear something. Oh, and for whatever it's worth, my letters of recommendation will arrive in separate envelopes (sent by the prof) from my applications.

It happens, I did the same thing this year. I applied to ten schools & someone of them had online applications. For whatever, I filled one of the online ones out twice... so hopefully I don't get disqualified for that, but we'll see. I'm just hoping to get accepted into one, as I applied for astrophysics not mathematics.

 

[zpconn]

Am I missing something, or does SMALL really just want their application form, a statement of interest, and letters of recommendation (i.e., no transcript or anything)? If I am not missing anything, should I send a transcript anyway? It just seems somewhat bizarre that they would consider applicants without even knowing their grades or having any verification they've actually taken the classes they claim to take.

 

[owlpride]

The application form asks you to list your math courses and the grades you got. I have heard from several alumni of the program that the SMALL selection process is a bit more involved than for most REUs. At least one of the advisers conducts phone interviews and another professor asks students for a sample of their mathematical work, on a problem that he provides.

 

[zpconn]

Interesting! Thanks for the info.

 

[lilli]

Hello!
I was just wondering, do they send you a rejection email if you are definitely not going to get onto the program? (and so "no news is good news" applies) or do you just come to the conclusion yourself once its end of March or April or something?
Thanks guys

 

[sutupidmath]

My understanding is that the selection commeettee first sends the offers to their first/top candidates, and give them a few days/weeks to respond back (i.e. accept the offer or reject it), so if you are not amongst the top candidates you should not expect to hear back from them soon after the deadline has passed. What i would do(have done in the past) is once a week or so has passed after the deadline send them an email and inquire about your application status.

 

[owlpride]

The programs I was applying to last year either sent out rejection emails (4-6 weeks after the application deadline) or posted a note on their website that all spots have been filled (more than a month after the application deadline as well). The conclusion I drew is that it takes some programs a considerable amount of time to fill all spots. No reason to get nervous if you have not heard back within a week.

I contacted my "first-choice" programs when I got my first offer. At that point I had to decide if I wanted to commit to a so-so program or take my chances. Luckily I got another offer a day before my one-week-deadline to make a decision was up. I declined the first offer when I got my second, and declined the second offer when I was offered a spot at the program I chose to attend.

I was lucky that all my programs had application deadlines within a week of each other. A friend of mine who is applying to REUs this year is in a more difficult position. She has arranged an independent project with a professor at another university, but they cannot confirm her funding until late March. She will probably have to decide whether or not to accept an REU offer before then.

 

[kuahji]

I'm kind of curious about the people that did or have been accepted into these programs. I mean did ya'll have like really high GPA's, come from big colleges, etc.? When I look at the people that participate in these programs, it seems like the majority of them have come from big named colleges. Of course that might be because I'm trying to do mine in astrophysics.

 

[belle]

That got me too. I was looking at lots of programs that tended to accept students from big name schools. I go to a state school, and I'm hoping that doesn't count against me.
I really though carefully about the programs I am applying to, so I'm not just shooting applications out indiscriminately, but I'm wondering what my chances seem to be.
I have a 4.0, but I don't have extensive coursework yet, just the calculus sequence, linear algebra, and discrete mathematics.
Anyways, all I have to do now is write those pesky letters of intent and submit my applications.

 

[kuahji]

That got me too. I was looking at lots of programs that tended to accept students from big name schools. I go to a state school, and I'm hoping that doesn't count against me.
I really though carefully about the programs I am applying to, so I'm not just shooting applications out indiscriminately, but I'm wondering what my chances seem to be.
I have a 4.0, but I don't have extensive coursework yet, just the calculus sequence, linear algebra, and discrete mathematics.
Anyways, all I have to do now is write those pesky letters of intent and submit my applications.

Sounds like you're in the same boat as me. I go to a state school as well, & have a near 4.0 GPA. But this is only my second semester there & I transferred from a community college. I have the same mathematics knocked out & in physics I only have Modern, E&M (& the lower levels of course) done. Though this semester I'm taking abstract algebra, mathematical physics, & quantum mechanics. I applied to 10 programs & tried to choose them wisely, focusing on those that were specifically doing research in areas that I was interested. I think my biggest downfall is I'm just now taking computer science.

 

[owlpride]

I did the REU at Cornell last summer, which is said to be one of the more selective programs (though not quite as selective as Duluth or Wisconsin). While there were a number of students from big-name schools, we also had a number of students from normal state universities: U of Maryland, Florida Atlantic, and Missouri A&T, among others.

 

[belle]

That's good to know. Not all of the programs post alums anyways.

 

[dsb5092]

Just an idea for those seeking an REU this summer:

If your plans fall through and you don't get an offer from any of your first choices keep an eye out for listings in random places well after the normal Feb - Mar deadlines. Places like Monster job boards where you wouldn't expect to see it.

These can sometimes offer a different experience with much less structure. The main ones will have almost each day planned out where these can be much more free formed.

Speaking from experience. I applied to the REU at Penn State Physics Dept my freshman year and was rejected. I found one around April at Utah State in Comm. Theory with an NSA grant and loved it. Got published by IEEE too.

Just to keep in mind

 

[belle]

Thanks for the advice! I will definitely keep on the lookout, though I have a little bit of time before I know about the first round of things.
I saw that other people shared the places they applied to so:
Lafayette
Northern Arizona University
Miami University
Claremont
College of William and Mary

 

[Snitse]

I just got rejected from duluth. Its annoying that the hardest one to get into responded first. It gets your hopes down.

 

[lilli]

Same here :(
Oh well, I don't think I ever really had a shot at it...

 

[Newtime]

already hearing back? when was the deadline to apply? i just sent in all mine, should hear back in a few weeks.

 

[belle]

Duluth's deadline was February 10, one of the earlier ones. The ones I applied to aren't due until late February and early March.

 

[sutupidmath]

Has anyone heard back from SMALL REU at Williams Colleges? Their deadline was also February 10, and I've been told that they are already in the process of making final decisions, but i am not aware whether they have started sending out their offers to their top candidates or not

 

[union68]

Just got an offer from Texas A&M. If anybody else applied, they're apparently sending out their first round offers.

 

[kuahji]

A list I applied to, Uni. of Minnesota, Cornell, Lehigh, North Carolina, Indiana University, Maria Mitchell, Arkansas, Wooster, Idaho, & Michigan. Most of the deadlines have passed, so now I guess I just wait.

 

[sutupidmath]

Just got an offer from Texas A&M. If anybody else applied, they're apparently sending out their first round offers.

Congrats! What research topic will you be working on?

 

[union68]

Thanks a lot! I put all my eggs in the REU basket (absolutely NO backup plan for the summer!), so it's a lot of weight off my shoulders to know I got in somewhere. Whew.

I applied for the Matrix and Wavelet Analysis project.

This thread was a good idea. It's comforting to know I'm not the only one caught up in this crazy REU fiasco!

 

[sutupidmath]

I put all my eggs in the REU basket (absolutely NO backup plan for the summer!),

!

Last year i was in the same situation. Although i applied only to two REU's (and got rejected by both by the way), that was my plan A and the only one for the summer indeed. This year, i believe i am in a much much better position, however i have added plan B,C and D to my plan A, just to play it safe :)

 

[zpconn]

Has anyone heard back from SMALL REU at Williams Colleges? Their deadline was also February 10, and I've been told that they are already in the process of making final decisions, but i am not aware whether they have started sending out their offers to their top candidates or not

I haven't heard from any places yet, including SMALL and Duluth.

 

[blackfedora]

I'm new to the boards, and I had a quick question: Am I the only one who's still getting apps together? I've been sending them off a week (give or take) before the deadlines to ensure they get through the mail, am I completely screwed for not getting all of these done back in January?

 

[zpconn]

I just mailed an application today and have one left to mail yet, due March 1. I'm generally mailing mine a week or so before the due dates as well.

By the way, congratulations union68!

 

[EbolaPox]

Thanks a lot! I put all my eggs in the REU basket (absolutely NO backup plan for the summer!), so it's a lot of weight off my shoulders to know I got in somewhere. Whew.

I applied for the Matrix and Wavelet Analysis project.

I was in the Matrix and Wavelets analysis group at A&M in Summer 2009. It was a lot of fun, but be prepared to do a good amount of work. It can be quite independent also, so you can be free to work on whatever you want. It's a great experience, and if you work hard enough, you can get a paper out of it. I highly recommend getting the book Frames for Undergraduates and start reading that as soon as possible. That will help give you some ideas for projects also.

 

[sutupidmath]

I'm new to the boards, and I had a quick question: Am I the only one who's still getting apps together? I've been sending them off a week (give or take) before the deadlines to ensure they get through the mail, am I completely screwed for not getting all of these done back in January?

I have also done pretty much the same: sending off applications a week or two before the deadline. I still have one more to submit and the deadline is February 26.

Good luck to you!

BTW what places are you applying to?

 

[blackfedora]

I have also done pretty much the same: sending off applications a week or two before the deadline. I still have one more to submit and the deadline is February 26.

Good luck to you!

BTW what places are you applying to?

the SMALL program, Clemson, SUNY potsdam, Central Michigan, UNC Asheville, MASS at Penn state, Lafayette, and finally the program at William and Mary.

I'm a little worried since I'm just an average math major coming from a small liberal arts college, but if I don't get in anywhere I guess I'll try to get some research here and if that fails... back to working at denny's? :gulp:

 

[sutupidmath]

the SMALL program, Clemson, SUNY potsdam, Central Michigan, UNC Asheville, MASS at Penn state, Lafayette, and finally the program at William and Mary.

I'm a little worried since I'm just an average math major coming from a small liberal arts college, but if I don't get in anywhere I guess I'll try to get some research here and if that fails... back to working at denny's? :gulp:

I have also already applied to SMALL, and also planning on applying to REU Penn State.

From what I've heard, SMALL is supposed to be not that easy to get in. I got rejected last year, but i didn't have many math classes under my belt at that time (I have 3 more upper division, and two lower division math classes now), and much stronger references too, so I am hoping things will change this year.

Good luck to you!

 

[union68]

I was in the Matrix and Wavelets analysis group at A&M in Summer 2009. It was a lot of fun, but be prepared to do a good amount of work. It can be quite independent also, so you can be free to work on whatever you want. It's a great experience, and if you work hard enough, you can get a paper out of it. I highly recommend getting the book Frames for Undergraduates and start reading that as soon as possible. That will help give you some ideas for projects also.

Wow, thanks SO much for the info!

A&M is definitely high up on my "I'd like to go there"-list, so I'm seriously considering attending this one. I'd like to see what happens with Cornell, Connecticut and Nebraska though. However, I'd expect these schools to start dealing out acceptances in March and I have to let A&M know by March 5th. Uh oh.

That, and by all appearances it looks like every math-major in the country has applied to Cornell so I'd say my chances are slim there.

So, do I pass up a sure thing for a shot at one of the other REUs? I suspect this is a common question that many REU alums had wrestled with during applications.

 

[mc15]

Has anyone heard back from SMALL REU at Williams Colleges? Their deadline was also February 10, and I've been told that they are already in the process of making final decisions, but i am not aware whether they have started sending out their offers to their top candidates or not

I got into both SMALL at Williams for Knot Theory and Texas A&M for Matrix Analysis and Wavelet Theory. I have not heard from anywhere else, since all the other places I applied to, the deadline is either later this month or in march. However, I decided to accept the offer at Williams and will be emailing the other programs about withdrawing my application.

Anyone else going to Williams?

 

[Newtime]

Just got an offer from Texas A&M. If anybody else applied, they're apparently sending out their first round offers.

Congratulations, I know the head of the program and he's just a great guy all around and so are the others involved. You'll enjoy it I'm sure. And word to the wise: since you'll be living here this summer, Antonio's Pizza is the best around. That said, I'm quite jealous of all the people getting offers already. The deadline for applications for every place I applied isn't for about another week so that means another 2-3 until I hear back.

 

[shuichinho]

I got into both SMALL at Williams for Knot Theory and Texas A&M for Matrix Analysis and Wavelet Theory. I have not heard from anywhere else, since all the other places I applied to, the deadline is either later this month or in march. However, I decided to accept the offer at Williams and will be emailing the other programs about withdrawing my application.

Anyone else going to Williams?

MC15, congratulations! What math background qualified you for that position?

 

[blackfedora]

I would also like to know what your background looks like, I also applied to SMALL, but I didn't have much hope of getting in.

I wish I knew whether or not I'll get into any of these programs, it'll be pretty frustrating to put all of this effort into applying only to wind up back at square 1.

Oh, and congratulations, it sounds like you'll have a pretty good summer :)

 

[mc15]

What math background qualified you for that position?

Thanks!
I am currently a Junior, and have taken analysis as my highest level math class. I have a 3.9GPA, but 4.0 if you count only math major classes. I am also a math peer tutor, math grader, and female, but the SMALL application didn't ask for these things, so they had no way of knowing.
I got contacted by a SMALL Advisor a couple days after the deadline to schedule a phone call since I had made the short list. The call was more like a 10 min chat. I was having lunch at a restaurant when he called.
The email offer from Texas A&M said that my records were outstanding and that my recommendations were highly complimentary.
I think that the level of classes you take is important as are your grades in them but your recommendations are what really makes you stand out.

 

[sutupidmath]

Thanks!
I am currently a Junior, and have taken analysis as my highest level math class. I have a 3.9GPA, but 4.0 if you count only math major classes. I am also a math peer tutor, math grader, and female, but the SMALL application didn't ask for these things, so they had no way of knowing.
I got contacted by a SMALL Advisor a couple days after the deadline to schedule a phone call since I had made the short list. The call was more like a 10 min chat. I was having lunch at a restaurant when he called.
The email offer from Texas A&M said that my records were outstanding and that my recommendations were highly complimentary.
I think that the level of classes you take is important as are your grades in them but your recommendations are what really makes you stand out.

Congratulations for getting into SMALL! I was about to ask you the same question, but you already answered it. I also applied to SMALL, but being an international student my chances of getting in are really slim, since they accept international students only if funding is available.
My background is not too different from yours. I am 1st semester Junior. I am a math tutor, and i also grade for two classes; gpa 4.0. Upperdivision classes i have taken(currently taking) include Real Analysis I,II, Abstract Algebra I, Topology. I am still kind of hoping, but not really, especially now, knowing that they have already started sending offers out.

Also, did they contact you only through phone, or through email as well...because i actually do not have a cell phone at all ?:(

Congrats again!

EDIT: One more question to people who have similar experiences: Do you think it would be wise to send them an email and ask them about my application status, or simply wait?

I am inclined to email them and let them know that i would be more than willing to attend the program even if i do not receive any funding, as long as housing is for free! This way i might at least not get knocked out due to lack of funding. What do you guys think?

 

[sutupidmath]

I also applied to SMALL, but I didn't have much hope of getting in.

Have you been contacted by anyone from SMALL or simply no answer yet?

 

[blackfedora]

The only international student I know at my college gave up on REUs for exactly this reason and is hoping to get something here at our school since the college has a fund for student researchers that is independent of the NSF, but I don't know if that's an option for you.

As for sending an email, I've been told it's a good idea to check up on your application status. Plus, email's free and I can't imagine they'd NOT take you because you bothered to send an email asking about the possibility of researching for free.

then again, I have no experience with applying to things like this, so maybe I'm not the one who should be commenting ><

Edit: I haven't heard from them, and at this point I assume that means I didn't get in. I haven't check on my status though because I'm still writing up my other apps and I don't want to get too down about it.

 

[zpconn]

Congrats mc15!

 

[sutupidmath]

The only reason that i am not too enthusiastic to inquire about my application's status and tell them that i would attend their REU even if it means only free housing, is because the deadlines for the three other REU's i am applying are either late this month or early March. Specifically, although i would be extremely happy to get into SMALL, my top choice is still BYU, of course if i would theoreticaly be accepted for the project in Non-commutative Algebra...and i also think i have a much better chance to get in there than SMALL. I guess i will wait until tomorrow and see what i will do!

 

[Snitse]

It seems like no one is applying to the ones I am applying to, and it is making me wonder if they are reputable or not.

Canisus, UNC at Greensboro, Oregon State, UNC Ashville, Clairmont, James Madison, University of Utah, or University of Arizona anyone?

 

[Newtime]

It seems like no one is applying to the ones I am applying to, and it is making me wonder if they are reputable or not.

Canisus, UNC at Greensboro, Oregon State, UNC Ashville, Clairmont, James Madison, University of Utah, or University of Arizona anyone?

A fellow algebraist? I've applied to UNC Greensboro and Asheville and James Madison out of those.

 

[zpconn]

Does anyone know what it means if I haven't received an answer from either SMALL or Duluth yet? From my understanding, it's bad for SMALL but good for Duluth, but really I have no clue.

 

[blackfedora]

Apparently Small has contacted it's top choices, while I suppose there's always the possibility that you'll be called later when someone turns down the position, I think it's pretty safe to assume you didn't make the cut if you haven't been contacted. (you could always email them and ask though)