Summer Institute for Mathematics at the University of Washington
Location: Washington
Program Description:
The SIMUW program brings together 24 participants with a mathematical background of at least 3 years of high school mathematics who have not yet completed high school and 6 teaching assistant/counselors with at least 1 year of college experience. Admission is competitive, based on an assessment of ability in mathematics and enthusiasm for an intensive mathematical experience. See http://simuw.org
Application deadline:
03/01/2009Overall rating:
Average: 5 (21 votes)
Host: University of Washington
Qualifications: For participants: returning high school students from Washington, British Columbia, Oregon, Idaho and Alaska; For TAs: college experience, no geographic limitation
Program Dates / Length: June 28 to August 8, 2009
Housing: dormitory, free
Cost / Availability of Financial Aid: Free for admited participants and TACs, TACs are paid a stipend of $3000.
Credit Awarded: n/a
Mailing Address:
SIMUW
Department of Mathematics
University of Washington
Box 354350
Seattle, WA 98195-4350
Phone: (206) 399-1014
E-mail: simuw@math.washington.edu
Website: http://simuw.org
Reviews:
"Absolutely Incredible! SIMUW is a life changing experience completely changing my outlook on mathematics and even the world. The classroom setting is elegant and enriching, the set of outstanding faculty share their knowledge in enthralling, captivating, and fun atmosphere. The living situation functions as equally enriching as the classroom, the students befriend each other instantly, the Teaching Academic Counselors (TACs) are excellent and prepared in ensuring participants well being, but mostly encourage and facilitate fun activities ranging from chess, games, sports, to even exploring Seattle. The community extends beyond the boundaries of the summer, students become pen-pals and friends forever. As a current student at the UW the networking from the SIMUW community composed of previous participants, TACs, professors, and SIMUW administration is highly prominent here and complementary to my education. In all SIMUW is analogous to a free trip to Disneyland, a vacation you will never forget, the best summer of my life!"
Participant, 2006
"SIMUW was simply an amazing experience. The program isn't about covering hardcore college topics, but rather about skimming through topics and promoting mathematical thinking. I personally had the best summer of my life. No one who has ever attended SIMUW has regretted it."
Participant, 2007
"As everyone who's been through it would say - it's purely awesome.
I still can't believe I had such a feast for free. "
Participant, 2007
"SIMUW is an amazing experience. It challenged me to consider concepts and theories well beyond the traditional calculus class of derivatives and integrals. I was exposed to various branches of math that I never new existed. I highly recommend this program not only for the math involved, but also for the community formed."
Participant, 2007
"Before attending SIMUW, I never thought I would say this, but my summer spent at Math Camp was one of the best experiences of my life. Not only did I get the chance to explore different areas of math, but I was able to make close and lasting friendships with the other participants. Living at the University for six entire weeks also gave me a taste of campus life. Not once did I feel out of place or excluded despite the range of mathematical ability. Attending SIMUW is the chance of a lifetime. I highly reccommend it. "
Participant, 2007
"SIMUW is totally an awesome summer experience. I participated in summer 2005, but decided to return again for 2006. Not only do you learn a lot of interesting math topics that you do not generally get to know about in high school, but you also meet many interesting people who share the same interests as you. I certainly had some of the best times of my life there and I strongly recommend the lucky people from the area to go. "
Participant, 2005
"SIMUW is an amazing camp to attend. I highly recommend it to any high school student that loves math and wants interesting knowledge beyond the regular curriculum. Its community experience exceeds any I've known - 6 weeks is not long enough to enjoy it. Even as an Alaskan participant, I fit right in."
Participant, 2007
"Simuw is the best camp that I have ever attended. This program has superb students and professors. We learn a lot of advanced mathematics and have fun doing so. The living conditions are great. The professors are very knowledgeable and provide us intriguing problems that always leaves us thinking. The TACs keep us out of trouble, find ways for us to have fun, and are very skilled in math. Throw in free food and what more could you want?"
Participant, 2007
"Great experience"
Participant, 2005
"An academically, emotionally, and mentally stimulating experience! Simply the best time of my life!"
Participant, 2006
"This program was great. The academic experience I had, along with the experiences with people that I met, were all exceptional. "
Participant, 2005
"Tis' simply the best. A summer of a life time. The experience of it all, is beyond any mathematical perfection."
Participant, 2005
"SIMUW was one of the best of many math camps I have been to. It allows you to really get to know the people you are living with and gives many opportunities to make long lasting friendships. SIMUW has a very fun and welcoming atmosphere and is a good choice for any students who are interested in math.
On the other hand, it might not be the best choice for a hardcore math student who is looking for a rigorous and intense math training program, because the topics are focused on less common math subjects and the camp's focus is more on fostering interest in mathematics than intense mathematical training."
Participant, 2007
"The summer I spent at SIMUW was without question the best summer of my life. Never before had I had the opportunity to work with so many intelligent and motivated young individuals, and it was a truly unique and rewarding experience. The material and the professors were great and incredibly interesting, and the entire program gave me a new and invigorating view into the field of mathematics that I could never have gotten through high school courses. Living away from home for six weeks may sound like a difficult experience, but it was a great chance to develop independence and self-confidence, and it helped me grow a lot as a person in addition to being a fun and exciting new experience. My only regret with SIMUW is that I did not learn about it earlier so that I would have the opportunity to participate for a second year."
Participant, 2007
"I participated in SIMUW in 2005, and I loved it so much I decided to return in 2006. Before SIMUW I participated in math competitions and I enjoyed it, but SIMUW was the first place where I was introduced to advanced concepts and where I truly fell in love with math. The math instruction is given by top-notch college professors who teach subjects they are passionate about. No prior knowledge is assumed, so while the topics are advanced, it is easy to follow.
Outside of class, there are many activities, both organized as an entire camp and spontaneous as smaller groups. We had an iron chef competition, a trip to a baseball game and a chocolate factory, as well as pickup basketball games and board games. The people there are all smart and interesting and ready to have fun doing almost anything. I would recommend SIMUW to anyone."
Participant, 2006
"An amazing program, not just because of the math, but also because of the community formed. I'm still in touch with many of my fellow participants from several years ago. An unforgettable experience."
Participant, 2006
"Without a doubt, SIMUW was one of the most rewarding experience that I have ever had. People may think that math is the only thing that we do at math camp, but it is not true. The counselors organized numerous activities, and I vastly enjoyed my time at the UW. I learned a lot of abstract math that are not taught in high school, and the friendship that forms among the participants and counselors is remarkable. Also, spending 2 months at a university itself is a wonderful experience. The 6 weeks absolutely flew by, and at the end, I wish I didn't have to go home."
Participant, 2007
"Six weeks living on campus was fun. The applicaton process meant that everyone else there liked math as much as I did; everyone was sociable, and had a common interest. The classes were interesting, and while there was homework, it wasn't busywork and was fun in and of itself. Out of all the special lectures and classes, my favorite was Professor Arms' Knot Theory class, about a subfield of topology, which should show how interesting the classes were. The group would go out to places like the Seattle Aquarium, Woodland Park Zoo, Seattle Center, and we went to go see the Imax 3d production of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
The living accommodations were good. during the summer the north campus dorms are run by Conference Services, who organize the food cards and rooms. Everyone has a food card and Ian's Domain, an internet Cafe, was right inside the dorm, so we ate well.
it was one of the best experiences of my life to date."
Participant, 2007
"This program changed my 17 year old son's life, in all ways for the better. He entered the program strong in math, but a bit shy. He came out transformed into a confident, independent young man with an increased respect and appreciation for mathematics. Through this program he grew both academically and socially. It was the first time he'd ever gotten to spend time with a group of kids just like him, and they all became very close. It was one of the best experiences of his life. I have never seen him so effusive or enthusiastic about any experience. I am certain that he will remember and treasure it for the rest of his life. "
Parent, 2007
"I was the first non-TAC to arrive, and, quite honestly, I was expecting a really nerdy group of people.
I couldn't have been more wrong. The people were intelligent, yes, and they all loved math, but there was more to them than that. We could have put together a rock band, several different sports teams (including both soccer and water polo), and several theatrical productions.
The best part, though, was how close-knit the community was. We all got to know each other very well, and we all made lots of good friends. It was one of the best experiences of my life thus far, and I would certainly repeat it if I had the chance."
Participant, 2006
"SIMUW was a fantastic experience and a great way to spend my summer! I was exposed to exciting new kinds of math and was challenged to think creatively to solve intriguing problems."
Participant, 2004