More Comments from Mathcamp Students

From Mathcamp '98

These comments were taken from anonymous surveys of Mathcamp students at the end of Mathcamp '98:

"The two months I spent in Mathcamp truly changed me, prepared me for university more than those many years I spent in high school, and gave me the most wonderful experience so far. I'd really like other young people to be affected the way I've been by Mathcamp too."

"I never expected to learn about so many types of mathematics. I'm so glad the lectures exceeded my expectations."

"I didn't really know what to expect, but I learned a lot and had a lot of fun."

"I learned about a lot of stuff that I hadn't heard of before."

"I wasn't sure what to expect, but I wasn't disappointed."

"Very rigorous. Excellent."

"More interesting than expected, more varied as well."

"Challenging, not too serious, semi-formal. Excellent!"

"An ideal learning environment. It exceeded what I had hoped to learn. The format of classes also exceeded my expectations."

"I did not expect to have been so lucky to interact with top-notch professors."

"The course work was as varied and as challenging as I could have hoped."

"I learned more than I expected to, and more than I ever imagined. The problem-solving class was especially great."

"It was wonderful. The classes were great. They exceeded my expectations both in difficulty and in content. I learned a lot and enjoyed it very much."

"The choices of classes were good and there was a good blend of basic and advanced stuff."

"Harder than I expected, but not too hard."

"Very challenging. I thought it would be easy."

"Excellent!!! I learned so much!!"

"There were a lot of good options throughout camp and almost all of them were good and really interesting."

"Academic activities were much better than I expected. It was really nice that the topics were chosen from areas that are more open to research."

"It is an excellent opportunity both to increase my knowledge in math and to recognize new interesting people. This summer was the best summer of my life."

"Very good--there was more to do than just math. If I were still in high school, I would continue returning."

"I didn't know that aside from the math, I was going to have so much fun. I had a great time with the campers because we shared many interests and had so much fun in common."

"The trips and soccer games were really nice."

"Excellent field trips and excursions organized for us. Plus, a variety of sports activities and the freedom to choose."

"I had never seen group theory before. It was cool."

"The discussions (history/philosophy, ethnomath, women in math) were excellent."

"I learned a lot of number theory, which was something I was really interested in learning about. Klamkin's classes helped me a lot with problem solving."

"I have learned a lot more of the broad areas of math. Never knew any of these topics existed."

"I think I've progressed in problem solving skills, through the problem solving sessions and from other campers as well."

"I learned a lot about how math applies to the most diverse things. Also, I learned how math was connected--some things appeared often in parts of math that appeared very different."

"I learned lots of cool ways to solve problems."

"I found out what came after calculus!"

"The Fourier series class was great!! I learned so much!"

"The liberal approach and the excellent learning environment have made for an excellent summer."

"I learned much more on applications of geometry. Barycentric coordinates rule!"

"I had understood that there were many areas of math, but knew very little about them until now. I learned an incredible amount, mostly in number theory and complex analysis, but I learned lots from all the classes."

"I never dealt with proofs in my high school classes, so there has been a dramatic improvement in my ability to come up with/write proofs."

"All I know of professional math right now I learned here."

"I learned quite a bit about what areas of math exist and what mathematicians do. I think that this is one of the most important things about Mathcamp. Before Mathcamp, I did not know what it would be like to be a professional mathematician."

"This camp definitely is the best problem solving training I've ever received."

"All the mentors/JCs/staff I got to know were great! Everyone was cool!"

"It took me a while to get adjusted to everything and all of the classes, but in the end I enjoyed being here with everyone."

"Mathcamp rocks! This has been one of the best summers ever!"

"I loved it. I learned so much and made many friends. The people here were very encouraging and I'll miss them."

"I loved it. It really was the best summer of my life. The staff, faculty, mentors, and the campers were all exceptional. I have to come back next year."

"Mathcamp was great! I was introduced to so much and I have learned so much in the past 5 weeks. I had a wonderful summer. Thanks!"

"It was great! I really enjoyed being able to interact with all the mentors. I learned a LOT, thank you everyone!"

"It's great for professors and mentors to come and educate the next generation the way they did."

"Mathcamp was really good and a lot better than I thought it would be. I like how it is not a usual camp; a lot more freedom is given to the students, which makes it more enjoyable for everyone, I think. Thanks to everyone involved."

"Mathcamp was great! I hope to come back next year, depending on my summer schedule. I'd recommend this camp to all mathematicians of my age. This was a great summer! I don't know how, but this camp managed to motivate me!!! I now know my future, and I see the work ahead. Thank you Mathcamp faculty, staff, mentors, JC's, for showing me where to get a head start. This camp rocks! My sister will be coming next year, for sure!"

"This has been absolutely the best summer of my life. Learning about such a variety of cool subjects has been fabulous. There are so many experiences/memories that will last for the rest of my life."

"Well, initially I was sort of homesick, so Mathcamp did not seem to be appealing. But slowly and progressively, I began to assimilate in the new environment, and it certainly has paid off! What I really appreciated was the enormous amount of respect given to us by all the mentors and even the top professors. The atmosphere was challenging and the going tough, but the stimulation and motivation provided was useful to me. The mathematics was, in most cases, pitched at a suitable level, and though I may not remember more than 3/4 of what I learned, the camp has left me with sufficient ingrained knowledge waiting to be unleashed at the earliest an most appropriate opportunity."

"Mathcamp was, once again, very wonderful. It's terrific fun to talk with people here. Thank you again for providing such a terrific experience each year! I hope to return."

"I really enjoyed myself at Mathcamp and think you guys did an awesome job. It was very cool meeting so many people who like/are good at math!"

From Mathcamp '97

These comments were taken from anonymous surveys of Mathcamp students at the end of Mathcamp '97:

"All of our mentors were the coolest camp staff ever encountered."

"Exposure to lots of stuff is good; you never know what you might turn out to be really interested in."

"The greatest thing about Mathcamp is that it brings together people of similar interests. Many of us are probably considered odd-balls (to some extent) at home, but here we are with people for only a few weeks and we form lasting friendships."

"Guest speakers provided a good change of pace and topics."

"I did not know math was this beautiful!"

"Although I enjoyed the many valuable theorems and their proofs, the social aspect of the camp was just as enjoyable. I recommend this camp to anyone even remotely interested in math."

"I like the Mathcamp because it teaches things outside the school syllabus and gives me a good preparation for the math contests."

"I loved this camp!"

Additional Comments

"Last year's Mathcamp has greatly influenced Jordan (I may say, re-shaped him). It's really an open-eye mission and stimulated his enthusiasm and motivation in math study. I believe Jordan will also benefit from this year's Mathcamp." - Lianglu Wan, farther of Jordan Wan, student at Mathcamp '99

"Mike is going to MOSP this summer, but because Mathcamp would begin a few days after MOSP would end he would like to do both. He still talks about the five weeks last year as being the best time of his life." - Joe Church, father of Michael Church, student at Mathcamp '98

"I visited Mathcamp in Seattle and was fortunate enough to be able to sit in on a session. My expectations were surpassed. I particularly liked the University Campus location for this age group and I observed a truly serious summer mathematics program. A hundred highly gifted teenagers of like mind had an opportunity to spend five weeks with world-renowned mathematicians and were actually enjoying themselves. I know of no other similar experience. My son can hardly wait to attend the next Mathcamp in 1997!" - Dr. William Abbott (London, Canada), father of Jaron Abbott, a student at Seattle Mathcamp '96 and Boston Mathcamp '97 and freshman at Harvard University in Fall '98

"Attending Mathcamp improved my chances of admission to the colleges I had applied, as well as my chances of getting scholarships. Mathcamp is an excellent starting place for the exploration of mathematics for the talented high school student." - Michael Bodell, Vancouver Mathcamp '95, and a freshman at Harvard University in Fall '96

"Mathcamp '96 demanded more of me and also rewarded me more than any other experience. By the end of the four weeks, I brought away with me concepts that will help me with my studies now and in the future, and memories that shaped my college essays and life. Truly, I never knew math could be so interesting!' - Yvonne Lai, Seattle Mathcamp '96, and a freshman at MIT in Fall '97

"I found the camp to be one of the most enjoyable times of my life. I was around fun, intelligent people, and we did math. A great combination!" - Dan Furlani (Connecticut), Toronto Mathcamp '95

"Sending my son to Mathcamp was a wise decision; his grades this year are in the nineties in other subjects too. Mathcamp made him realize his exceptional ability and that confidence carried over to other subjects. North America needs this camp. I wish it to continue to flourish." - Mr. Wade, Toronto, Father of Andrew Wade, a student at Seattle Mathcamp '96

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