Discussion Overview
The discussion revolves around the approach to writing a statement of interest for a mathematics Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) application. Participants explore the idea of presenting the statement in a creative format, such as a mathematical proof, versus a more traditional formal essay.
Discussion Character
- Debate/contested
- Conceptual clarification
Main Points Raised
- One participant suggests writing the statement in the form of a proof with lemmas and a theorem, questioning whether this approach is too informal or if it might be well-received.
- Another participant advises against the creative approach, noting that it is subjective and could depend on the reader's perspective.
- A participant acknowledges the risk involved, stating that the outcome could be either very positive or very negative depending on execution.
- One participant expresses a strong preference for a formal statement, particularly in the context of graduate school applications.
- Another participant humorously considers using an axiom to express their love for math but questions the appropriateness of the term "unbounded" given the finite nature of life.
- One participant warns that a creative approach might lead to the impression of not taking the application seriously.
- The original poster concludes that they will opt for a formal statement of interest based on the feedback received.
Areas of Agreement / Disagreement
Participants generally express disagreement regarding the appropriateness of a creative approach to the statement of interest, with some advocating for a formal essay while others acknowledge the potential risks of creativity.
Contextual Notes
Participants express uncertainty about the subjective nature of application reviews and the potential impact of creativity on the perception of seriousness in the application process.
Who May Find This Useful
Students preparing applications for mathematics REUs or similar programs, particularly those considering unconventional formats for their statements of interest.