Ross Mathematics Program: A Complete Guide

Do you enjoy tackling math puzzles for hours just for the thrill of discovery? Would you like to build a solid foundation in a particular math topic (namely number theory) and work your way up from there? The Ross Mathematics Program offers you an intense, collaborative learning environment where you live and breathe mathematics every day.

In this article, we’ll tell you more about what to expect as a participant, how to apply, and why you should consider joining.

• What Is the Ross Mathematics Program?
• Ross Mathematics Program Acceptance Rate
• Ross Mathematics Program Application Deadline
• Ross Mathematics Program Requirements
• How to Get into the Ross Mathematics Program
• Why Join the Ross Mathematics Program?
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Is the Ross Mathematics Program?

The Ross Mathematics Program is a six-week, residential summer math camp designed for motivated high school students who are passionate about mathematics. Founded in 1957 by mathematician Dr. Arnold E. Ross, this program aims to create a “world of mathematical discovery” where students are encouraged to explore fundamental ideas deeply.

The learning atmosphere at Ross is collaborative rather than competitive, which helps in building a community of young mathematicians who help each other grow. You’ll live in dorms with roommates and interact closely with counselors (often math majors or former Ross participants) who provide guidance and feedback.

At the Ross Program, you’ll be focusing on number theory for the entire duration. This topic has concepts that are easy to notice at first but have deeper layers to explore.

You’ll spend most of each day working through problems that push you to think rigorously and creatively. You’ll attend about 10 hours of class each week (with a mix of lectures and small-group discussions) and devote the rest of your time to solving daily problem sets and pursuing further problems independently. By working intensively on these problems, you and your peers learn to communicate mathematical ideas clearly and write convincing proofs for every claim.

The program dates for 2025 were June 15 to July 25. It was held at two sites: Otterbein University in Columbus, Ohio and Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana.

Ross Mathematics Program Acceptance Rate

The Ross Mathematics Program accepts around 60 students per site a year. In 2023, only about 15% of applicants were accepted to Ross.

Ross Program mentions that admissions tend to be highly competitive because of the sheer number of applications it receives every year. To have a good chance of being accepted, you should have strong grades and show a strong command of math (through part of your application, which we’ll explain later).

Ross Mathematics Program Application Deadline

The application dates for the Ross Mathematics Program stay relatively the same every year. These are the dates for the 2025 cycle:

Ross Mathematics Program Requirements

If you want to apply to the Ross Mathematics Program, you’ll need to first check your eligibility and gather the requirements.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Ross Mathematics Program, you must:

• Be 15 to 18 years old (However, in rare cases, exceptional 14-year-olds or older students who just finished high school are admitted)
• Have a strong interest in math and a solid foundation in standard high school math topics

Required documents

You’ll need to submit the following documents to apply to the Ross Program:

• Short essays. You’ll encounter prompts about topics like your interests, goals, and why you want to attend Ross.
• Teacher recommendation. You’ll need one letter of recommendation from a math teacher.
• School transcript. You’ll need to submit an official high school transcript showing your academic performance. Ross will review your grades in math and related subjects to ensure you have a strong background.
• Math problem set solutions. Each year, Ross provides several original problems as part of the application, which you should attempt and submit written solutions for. This is possibly the most important part of your application since it shows how you think and tackle unfamiliar problems.

Program cost

The Ross Mathematics Program cost is $7,000, which covers tuition, housing, and meals.

Financial aid is available to those who need it. However, you must first be accepted into the program before being eligible for financial aid. Once you’ve been notified of your acceptance, ask your parent or guardian to contact [email protected]. They’ll reply with details on how to apply for scholarship support.

Aside from that, some external organizations (such as Mu Alpha Theta, the Davidson Institute, or the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation) offer scholarships for summer math programs that you can also try checking out.

How to Get into the Ross Mathematics Program

The Ross Mathematics Program has a unique application process. Here’s a step-by-step on how you can get into the program:

Step 1: Create a Ross account.

Start by creating an account on the official Ross application portal. Even if you’ve previously already made an account, you’ll still need to make a new one. You’ll basically just need to provide your email address, where you’ll be sent a password.

Step 2: Secure your supporting documents.

Start gathering your supporting materials. Request an official copy of your high school transcript from your school’s registrar or counseling office. Many schools can send transcripts electronically, but others might give you a sealed paper copy to scan and upload yourself.

As for the recommendation letter, ask a math teacher (or occasionally a science teacher) who knows you well and can speak to your strengths. Ask them politely and ideally at least a month before the deadline if they would be willing to write a recommendation for you.

Explain why you’re applying to Ross and perhaps share what the program is, so they have context to tailor their letter. Once they agree, you can give them a brag sheet, which basically contains information like a reminder of your projects or achievements in their class. This can help them write a strong letter.

However, you’ll only need to input their name and email in the application portal. Then, they’ll receive an email asking them to submit a recommendation on your behalf. If your teacher hasn’t submitted their letter a week before the deadline, gently remind them.

Step 3: Respond to the short essay questions.

Ross Program requires you to answer some short essay questions about yourself. These essays are a chance for you to show your personality, motivation, and fit for the program beyond test scores or grades.

It’s safe to assume that all applicants love math and are pretty good at it. So what sets you apart from them? You might describe a particular problem or math book that fascinated you and how it sparked your desire to learn more. The Ross Program is highly collaborative, so you may also expect to talk about how you collaborated with peers over math.

Once you’ve answered all the prompts, have a teacher or friend review your essays and give feedback so you can improve them.

Need help with your essays? We’ll work with you to refine your writing and strengthen your overall Ross Mathematics Program application so you can stand out from the competition.

Step 4: Answer the math problems.

The most unique part about the Ross Program application is the set of challenging math problems you’ll need to solve. These problems are designed to be hard and may cover topics or require creativity beyond what you’ve seen in school.

Don’t be intimidated. Instead, embrace the challenging math problems and show your best mathematical thinking. Work through each problem carefully, write up clear proofs or solutions, and don’t be afraid to spend days or weeks iterating on them. You actually don’t need to get all the correct answers since admissions officers are more interested in your creative problem-solving ability.

Step 5: Submit your application.

Once all parts are complete, carefully review your application for errors or missing documents. Submit it before the March 15 deadline, as late submissions are usually not considered. After submission, monitor your email in mid-April for admission results and the next steps regarding enrollment or financial aid.

Why Join the Ross Mathematics Program?

If you are accepted into the Ross Mathematics Program, you will spend six weeks growing as a person and a math whiz. Here are the benefits of participating in the program:

1. Deepen your mathematical knowledge

The Ross Program provides an intensive math immersion that can greatly broaden and deepen your understanding of mathematics.

During the program, you’ll tackle advanced math topics that most high schools don’t cover, especially in number theory and related areas. For example, you might explore concepts like modular arithmetic, quadratic reciprocity, or combinatorial identities in depth.

By focusing on one field (namely number theory) and building from first principles, you’ll develop a strong foundation in proof-based mathematics and advanced problem-solving techniques, giving you a taste of mathematical research and creativity.

2. Sharpen your problem-solving and critical thinking skills

Aside from improving your knowledge of math, participating in the Ross Mathematics Program also helps you grow as a problem solver and critical thinker. Every day, you’ll need to handle hard problems and write clear proofs, which improves your mental resilience and logical reasoning ability. You’ll learn how to break down complex questions, spot patterns, formulate conjectures, and rigorously verify your ideas.

You’ll also gain independence in learning since a lot of time at Ross is spent working on problems by yourself or in small groups. This helps you become more self-reliant and persistent when facing challenges.

Logical thinking, creativity in problem solving, perseverance, and clarity of expression are highly transferable skills that you can use in any analytical or scientific field you might pursue in the future.

3. Connect with a supportive math community

Another rewarding aspect of the Ross Program is the community you become a part of. When you arrive at Ross, you join a group of around 60 other students who are just as excited about math as you are.

The environment is famously collaborative. You’ll learn a lot from your peers as you discuss problem solutions, debate strategies, and even work together on tough problems late into the evening.

There’s also a built-in support system since counselors and faculty mentors live on-site with the students. Counselors lead small group sessions, check your work, and offer guidance. They even organize fun activities and act as approachable mentors throughout the summer.

Because everyone stays in the dorms, you can further bond through shared meals, dorm life, and weekend activities as well.

After the summer, you become part of the Ross alumni network, which includes mathematicians, scientists, and professionals in many fields. That means you’ll always have fellow math enthusiasts to reach out to for advice or collaboration.

4. Gain a competitive edge for college and beyond

The Ross Mathematics Program is regarded as prestigious in the academic community. After all, participants end up with strong mathematical ability, self-motivation, and perseverance. As such, doing well in the program can help you stand out in a pool of college applicants, especially if you’re aiming for STEM fields.

The personal growth you experience (in problem-solving strength and intellectual maturity) will also better prepare you for the challenges of college-level math and research.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the most prestigious math summer program?

It’s hard to tell which is the most prestigious math summer program, but highly respected programs include the Ross Mathematics Program, PROMYS, and Canada/USA Mathcamp.

2. Does the Ross Mathematics Program accept international students?

Yes, the Ross Program is open to international students. There are also no citizenship or residency restrictions to apply to the program.

3. What expenses are not covered in the Ross Mathematics Program fees?

Expenses not covered by the fee are mostly personal or optional items. For example, you should budget extra money for any travel to and from the program, snacks and personal treats, souvenirs, or books you might want to buy. Occasionally, off-campus outings (like field trips organized by the staff) might also require a small additional fee from participants.

Takeaways

• The Ross Mathematics Program is a six-week residential summer camp where you can immerse yourself in advanced math. It focuses on number theory and proof-based problem solving.
• The Ross Mathematics Program accepts around 60 students per location. The program fee is $7,000, which covers tuition, housing, and meals.
• Benefits of participating in the Ross Mathematics Program include deepening your mathematical knowledge, sharpening your problem-solving and critical thinking skills, connecting with a supportive math community, and gaining a competitive edge for college and beyond.
• Want to further improve your math skills or test them out by joining competitions? We can help you plan your extracurriculars so you choose the ones that complement your skill set.