Math Reu Season 2016: Results & Questions

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the results and inquiries related to the Math REU (Research Experiences for Undergraduates) season of 2016. Participants share their application statuses, acceptance notifications, and experiences with various programs, as well as seek advice on communication with the programs regarding their applications.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Homework-related

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants report receiving offers from programs such as Emory, UCLA, UCSB, and TAMU.
  • Several participants express uncertainty about which programs send rejection letters and share their experiences regarding communication with programs.
  • There are inquiries about the status of applications to Clemson, Berkeley, and Michigan REUs, with some participants sharing past experiences regarding response timelines.
  • Some participants discuss their acceptance or rejection from specific programs, such as Duluth and UMN, and share opinions on the quality of the UMN program.
  • Questions arise about the communication methods used by programs, particularly regarding acceptance notifications from MSRI.
  • Participants express concerns about the lack of responses from programs and seek reassurance from others in similar situations.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share information about their application statuses and experiences, but multiple competing views remain regarding the communication practices of different programs and the timelines for receiving responses. The discussion remains unresolved with respect to the overall acceptance rates and specific program details.

Contextual Notes

Some participants mention that they have not received timely rejections from programs in the past, leading to uncertainty about application statuses. There is also a mention of varying response times among different programs, which may affect participants' decision-making processes.

Who May Find This Useful

Students applying to Math REU programs, those interested in the application process for undergraduate research opportunities, and individuals seeking insights into specific REU programs may find this discussion beneficial.

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First offers for Emory have been sent out.
 
I applied to a fair amount already, and still have a few more to go. I was just wondering if anyone has knowledge on which programs actually send rejection letters, and which ones don't - that information would help a lot! Thanks for the help!
 
Several groups for SMALL have already sent out acceptances
 
I got an email from UCLA that I'm on the shortlist and that they are working on setting up interviews.
 
UCSB also started to send out acceptances, some got them a few days ago, I got mine today.

Mathy Name Here said:
I applied to a fair amount already, and still have a few more to go. I was just wondering if anyone has knowledge on which programs actually send rejection letters, and which ones don't - that information would help a lot! Thanks for the help!

Last year many programs I did not get in did not reject me, not in a timely manner at least. After I got an offer and it was the last week, I started to email some places I applied to and got a response that way. I recommend you do that same, but wait for a bit?

Remember to reject any offers you do not need/want it can help someone!
 
What time would you think is best to start asking for my application status?
 
That's up to you, personally I would wait until march, I will be asking a few days before the 3/8 deadline.
 
That's a good idea, thanks for your help. I haven't gotten any responses back yet which I hope isn't a bad omen :/ Good luck to you!
 
  • #10
Last year I got my responses (along with a few other people I know) in late feb (like 5ish days from now) to early march. Don't worry, you got this! Also on 3/9 a lot of spots will probably open up.
 
  • #11
I believe Duluth, UMN Twin Cities, and SMALL have sent out first offers already. I was rejected from Duluth, accepted to UMN, and shortlisted at SMALL. Have people gotten off the shortlist in the past?

Also, anyone have thoughts on the UMN program? I'm probably going to attend one of these two programs since I didn't apply to many programs, but am wondering if waiting on this shortlist is worth it or not for the next two weeks.
 
  • #12
Has anyone heard from Clemson or Berkeley? Both had deadlines more than a week ago, and it seems like several programs respond in that timeframe.
 
  • #13
grothendieck said:
Has anyone heard from Clemson or Berkeley? Both had deadlines more than a week ago, and it seems like several programs respond in that timeframe.
I had a friend get accepted to Berkeley already (the one on curvature shortening flow).
 
  • #14
mathers101 said:
I had a friend get accepted to Berkeley already (the one on curvature shortening flow).
Thanks for the info. I applied to the other group, but I'm sure they sent out offers around the same time.
 
  • #15
TAMU sent some offers.
 
  • #16
gekko912397124 said:
I believe Duluth, UMN Twin Cities, and SMALL have sent out first offers already. I was rejected from Duluth, accepted to UMN, and shortlisted at SMALL. Have people gotten off the shortlist in the past?

Also, anyone have thoughts on the UMN program? I'm probably going to attend one of these two programs since I didn't apply to many programs, but am wondering if waiting on this shortlist is worth it or not for the next two weeks.

I did the UMN program last year---it is fantastic. Many of the mentors are incredible, especially Vic Reiner. Many of the groups involved produced immediately publishable results. It has a good reputation in the math community for producing high-level results (for an REU). Also, many of my peers at the REU were extremely intelligent. IMO (which may be biased), it's at least as good as SMALL, if not better.
 
  • #17
Does anyone know if the Michigan REU has released offers yet?
 
  • #18
@orangeyouglad I don't know if they released offers, but last year they rejected me on March 11, so maybe that could give you an idea of how long you'll wait to hear any sort of news.
 
  • #19
Has anyone heard from San Bernadino, Willamette, or Lafayette?
 
  • #20
Lafayette's deadline was just 3 days ago, so there's a pretty good chance that they haven't sent out any offers yet.
 
  • #21
orangeyouglad said:
Does anyone know if the Michigan REU has released offers yet?

I sent them an email and was told that they likely will have their decisions finalized around mid March.
 
  • #22
I got an offer from Oregon State.
 
  • #23
I got an offer from NCSU. Does anyone know anything about it?
 
  • #24
For all that care, TAMU's number theory group has filled it's 5 spots. Also I emailed IPAM and MSRI to be told, essentially no. That is they sent out first offers already.
 
  • #25
@n-dimen do you know if MSRI sends emails or actual mail for the acceptance letter? I was really hoping to get into their REU. And now that you mentioned they sent out their first offers already, I'm thinking I got rejected. I'm very new to all this so I don't know how it works. Thank you.
 
  • #26
MelonLord said:
@n-dimen do you know if MSRI sends emails or actual mail for the acceptance letter? I was really hoping to get into their REU. And now that you mentioned they sent out their first offers already, I'm thinking I got rejected. I'm very new to all this so I don't know how it works. Thank you.
You could email them to ask. I would guess any and all places email instead of like USPS mail, they want to get yes/no's fast and snail mail doesn't do that.
 
  • #27
n-dimen said:
You could email them to ask. I would guess any and all places email instead of like USPS mail, they want to get yes/no's fast and snail mail doesn't do that.

I see, thanks. I guess I should still keep my hopes of getting in alive!
 
  • #28
clemson replied to people? I mean I am pretty sure they did, just wondering
 
  • #29
here's some other places that sent offers:
-NC State
-University of Washington Bothell

Does anyone know anything about NC State?
 
  • #30
@n-dimen This is a bit late but for what it's worth, MSRI sent me a rejection letter last year. So they will likely send you one eventually if you don't get in
 

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