Ross Mathematics Program
Deep training in number theory
A six-week residential summer session in number theory for high school students, built on daily problem sets and proof writing.
Mode
In-Person
Fee
$7,500
Participation format
Individual
Duration
Six weeks
Time needed
6 weeks, residential
Eligibility
Open to pre-college students, nearly all aged 15 to 18, with exceptionally mature 14-year-olds admitted in rare cases. Applicants need a strong high school record, solid preparation in standard high school mathematics and reasonable fluency in English. Students from any country may apply, and Indian students have attended. Admission is competitive, decided on transcripts, teacher recommendations, essays, a video and solutions to challenging mathematics problems.
- Grade level
- Grade 9 to 12
- Age range
- 14 to 18 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Academic requirement
- A strong high school record and solid preparation in standard high school mathematics topics.
- Prerequisites
- Solid preparation in standard high school mathematics topics
- Reasonable fluency in English
- Eagerness to explore advanced mathematical ideas
See if your child qualifies.
Benefits
- Six weeks of deep study in one subject, number theory
- Daily written feedback on proofs from a counselor
- Small family groups of four to six students
- A first step toward independent mathematical research
- Need-based financial aid for accepted students
- A residential community of peers from many countries
Skills your child builds
Key dates
Last edition
- Registration closed
- 8 Mar 2026
- Dates
- 14 Jun 2026 to 24 Jul 2026
How to apply
- 1Register on the Ross application portal
- 2Answer the short essay questions and submit a video
- 3Arrange a teacher recommendation and submit a school transcript
- 4Submit written solutions to the posted mathematics problems
- 5Request need-based financial aid after acceptance if required
Rules and guidelines
- Students may not leave campus unless accompanied by a counselor
- Students must remain in the dormitory after dark
- Phones and personal electronic devices are set aside during the session
- Cars, bicycles, scooters and skateboards are not permitted
- Photographing or recording other participants requires their consent
- Arrival more than two days after classes begin cannot be accommodated
Fees and financial support
Fee details
The fee covers six weeks of room and board on campus, the cost of hiring instructors and counselors, and the incidental cost of developing and running the mathematics courses. Three meals a day at the campus cafeteria are included. Travel to and from campus, medical insurance valid in the host state, personal items, and optional off-campus trips are not covered and may carry a small extra charge.
Financial support
Financial aid is need based and is requested after acceptance. The program states that it endeavors to provide enough financial support to enable every accepted student to attend. Some aid is available for students from outside the United States, but the program can rarely support travel expenses.
About this opportunity
The Ross Mathematics Program is a six-week residential summer session in which pre-college students explore one subject, number theory, in depth. It is designed to give students a first step toward independent mathematical research rather than preparation for mathematics contests.
Participants attend a daily number theory lecture and daily small-group discussions led by a counselor, totalling roughly three hours of class each day. The rest of the day is unstructured, and students spend it working through a sequence of problem sets that ask them to observe patterns, form conjectures, test them against further examples, and write complete proofs. Counselors read the submitted work, give written feedback and assign revisions, and there is no numerical grading.
Admission is competitive and is decided on school transcripts, teacher recommendations, short essays about the applicant's interests and goals, a video, and the applicant's own written solutions to a set of challenging mathematics problems. Students live in a campus dormitory alongside returning students and counselors, forming a multi-level community of young scholars.
The program charges a fee that covers room, board and instruction, and need-based financial aid is offered to accepted applicants. Students from outside the United States are accepted every year, and reasonable fluency in English is required.
What your child will do
- Daily number theory lectures
- Counselor-led family group discussions
- Working through the daily problem sets
- Writing and revising proofs
- Optional advanced elective lectures
Mentors and faculty
Counselors are undergraduate mathematics majors who have completed at least two years of college, or mathematics graduate students, each assigned a family of about four to six students. Number theory lectures are delivered by mathematics faculty.
Languages
Academic details
Difficulty: Advanced
What's covered
A single fast-paced number theory course delivered through daily lectures, counselor-led family group discussions and a sequence of problem sets covering Euclid's algorithm, modular arithmetic, binomial coefficients, polynomials, orders of elements, quadratic reciprocity, continued fractions, arithmetic functions, Gaussian integers, finite fields, resultants, geometry of numbers and quadratic number fields.
Frequently asked questions
What are the key factors for a successful application to the Ross Mathematics Program?
A strong application demonstrates deep mathematical curiosity, independent problem-solving abilities, and clear communication of mathematical ideas. The written solutions to the challenging math problems are particularly important, showcasing the applicant's reasoning and proof-writing skills.
How can participants best prepare for the intensive six-week program?
Participants can best prepare by cultivating a deep curiosity for mathematics and practicing independent problem-solving. The program emphasizes logical rigor and proof writing, so engaging with challenging math problems and developing clear communication of mathematical ideas beforehand is highly beneficial.
What is the typical daily schedule and time commitment for students?
Students attend a daily number theory lecture and small-group discussions, totaling about three hours of class. The rest of the day is unstructured, with students dedicating many hours to working through problem sets, observing patterns, forming conjectures, and writing proofs. The program requires a significant time commitment to independent study.
How does the program foster a sense of community among participants?
Students live in campus dormitories alongside returning students and counselors, forming a multi-level community of young scholars. The program encourages mathematical collaboration and community building through small 'family groups' and shared problem-solving experiences, rather than direct competition.
What support is available for students who may struggle with the demanding workload?
Counselors provide daily written feedback on problem sets and assign revisions, fostering a learning environment focused on deep understanding rather than numerical grading. The collaborative atmosphere encourages students to work together and seek guidance from counselors and peers, ensuring support throughout the intensive program.
What are the long-term benefits of participating in the Ross Mathematics Program?
The primary benefit is deep training in number theory and a first step toward independent mathematical research. Participants develop advanced skills in proof writing, abstract reasoning, conjecture formulation, and mathematical communication, which are valuable for future academic and career pursuits in mathematics and related fields.
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