Transcript for the Math Jam "Mathcamp" on Mar 20.

Math Jam hosted by DanZ (Dan Zaharopol ).

DPatrick (18:28:53)
Greetings and welcome to tonight's Canada/USA Mathcamp Math Jam!

DPatrick (18:29:02)
Canada/USA Mathcamp organizer and instructor Dan Zaharopol is here to help students get an idea of what the Mathcamp has to offer young problem solvers and students of mathematics. He can also answer questions regarding Mathcamp.

DPatrick (18:29:13)
Dan will lead the discussion, but before I turn the floor over to him I would like to briefly explain our classroom to students who have not previously attended.

DPatrick (18:29:22)
First of all, this classroom is moderated. This means that the messages you type will come to the instructors rather than going directly into the room. The instructors will choose some of the messages and questions to share with all of the students.

DPatrick (18:29:32)
Next, only the instructors have the ability to send private messages in the classroom. Sometimes they will use these to respond to your comments.

DPatrick (18:29:43)
At this time I will turn the floor over to Dan.

DanZ (18:29:49)
Hello everyone!

DanZ (18:30:13)
I think that there are a few alumni out there, so I'd like to invite them to feel free to speak up whenever they have something to add to what I say.

DanZ (18:30:33)
But if you do so, please mention you're an alum so everyone knows that you've been there!

DanZ (18:30:41)
This Math Jam is about Mathcamp, a five-week summer program aimed at high school students (although we also admit some middle school students).

DanZ (18:30:47)
My name is Dan, and I've been a counselor at Mathcamp for six summers now. Before that, I also attended for two years as a student. So I've seen Mathcamp from several different angles, and I hope that I have some interesting stuff to say about it!

DanZ (18:30:56)
I guess that I'll start with an overall summary. Mathcamp runs for five weeks, as I've already mentioned. During this time, you are essentially allowed to design your own program: we don't take attendence at classes, we don't require you to do particular kinds of mathematics or do a certain project. You can make of the summer what you will. We've found that just about everyone who comes decides to turn the experience into a great academic experience as well as a great social experience.

DanZ (18:31:09)
Most of our students attend classes just about every day, although some prefer to attend fewer class hours and focus in on the material from just a few subjects, while others attend as many as five classes each day(!) to get a broader perspective on what kinds of mathematics is out there.

DanZ (18:31:48)
The classes cover a huge spectrum of mathematics, including stuff like combinatorics and number theory, applied mathematics such as physics, computer science, and voting theory, as well as many more theoretical topics, such as group theory or other topics in abstract algebra, topology, and much more.

DanZ (18:32:20)
Essentially, we do a bit of everything. Many of the instructors are graduate students in mathematics, who are beginning their research careers; we choose these ""mentors"" trying to get many different sides of mathematics at camp.

DanZ (18:32:51)
In addition to classes, about a week and a half into camp we give you the option of doing a project, typically some more focused work with an advisor. These can range to exploring a particular topic more deeply to original research.

DanZ (18:33:24)
Then there are a multitude of evening seminars, informal discussions over meals --- all kinds of different opportunities to learn interesting math, and perhaps more importantly, do interesting math.

DanZ (18:33:47)
So, I've rambled for a while, and I can continue to do so, but I'd be more interested in taking questions.

DanZ (18:33:58)
Does anyone have any at this point?

DanZ (18:34:49)
Okay, well, let me keep talking a bit more about the camp, and if you think of any questions to ask please feel free to just go ahead and do so.

DanZ (18:35:38)
One thing alumni will immediately noticed that I forgot to mention above is Mathcamp's social atmosphere. Just about everyone who comes to camp loves the math; but most people also come away really excited to meet peers who are also as interested in mathematics.

DanZ (18:36:32)
A lot of the activities at Mathcamp center around math, and mathematical jokes or other fun, but we also have lots of non-mathematical activity. Many of these activities are run by the campers --- we try to let you guys essentially take charge of the camp and make it as exciting a place as possible.

DanZ (18:37:09)
So, for example, on weekends we'll have interesting field trips --- I know that each time we're in Maine we go whitewater rafting (and we will be in Maine this year), and we always have lots of hiking trips.

DanZ (18:38:10)
There also tend to be activities such as a ""puzzle hunt,"" which is a large puzzle-solving competition; some theater-like activities including improv acting and the mysteriously-titled ""Fun,"" lots of board games and card games, and last year, a camper-written and performed musical.

DanZ (18:38:54)
The camp this year will be at Colby College, in Waterville, Maine. It's the third time we've been there. We try to move around each year so that returning campers can see different parts of the country, and so that we can explore the natural areas present in different regions.

DanZ (18:39:18)
Now I really have been going for a while. Let me pause again for questions?

DanZ (18:39:38)
Does anyone have something they'd like to know about in more detail that goes on at camp? Or perhaps the application process?

DanZ (18:40:52)
Okay, well, let me also mention a bit about our application process, since I haven't talked about that yet.

DanZ (18:41:04)
You'll notice on our website --- www.mathcamp.org --- that we have a ten-question qualifying quiz.

DPatrick (18:41:22)
Let me interrupt for just a moment.

DPatrick (18:41:52)
Nobody has asked any questions so far, and I'd like to determine if we're having a technical problem or if you all simply don't have any questions.

DPatrick (18:42:16)
So could everybody please just type anything into the chat window (don't worry, it won't appear in the room), just so we know that it's working?

DPatrick (18:42:37)
OK, I see all your messages, so I guess there's no problem, you just don't have any questions yet!

DPatrick (18:42:42)
I'll let Dan continue now -- thanks.

DanZ (18:42:49)
Okay, thanks. I was wondering about that!

DanZ (18:43:18)
So, as I said, the primary component of the application is the qualifying quiz. We look for serious, dedicated work; you need to make progress as well, of course, and we want to know how you think.

DanZ (18:43:36)
Applications have been fairly competitive in the past, and we have many applicants we wish we could admit but whom we just don't have space for.

DanZ (18:44:01)
However, you'll have a good chance if you give the qualifying quiz a go, and you should apply even if you think you might not make it --- it's free to do so online.

whitesoxfan (18:43:54)
do people who are returning need to take the qualifying quiz?

DanZ (18:44:12)
(Ah! A question!)

DanZ (18:44:25)
No, they don't. Once you're in, we know that you can handle camp, and you are automatically readmitted for future years.

DanZ (18:44:59)
So alumni do not have to reapply. If you're wondering why you haven't gotten the website for registering yet, it's because none of us have quite gotten around to sending the e-mail yet!

DanZ (18:45:12)
Let me quickly finish about the applications and then I'll get to the next question.

DanZ (18:45:47)
In addition to the quiz, you need to submit a short statement on why you want to come to camp --- we'd like to see your passion and interest. This can often help your admission considerably, so you should take it seriously, but don't spend hours worrying about it either.

DanZ (18:46:06)
The rest of the application is mostly informational, and is pretty self-explanatory; those are the main components.

DanZ (18:46:25)
The deadline is May 1.

DanZ (18:46:42)
And we tend to send out decisions a couple of weeks after that. But if you need an earlier decision, we're happy to take an early look.

calc rulz (18:44:47)
do you have last year's qualifying quiz online? i'm wondering what the difficulty is like

DanZ (18:46:58)
Yes, actually, I'll point you to the ""super-secret"" website...

DanZ (18:47:17)
http://www.mathcamp.org/quiz/quiz06.php

DanZ (18:47:32)
However, answers are not posted; so you may as well also look at this year's.

JerryS (18:45:20)
I am a home schooled student. Who should I ask to send a letter of recommendation, as far as a teacher, since my father is my calculus teacher?

DanZ (18:48:02)
That's a good question, and we tend to have a few homeschooled students every year.

DanZ (18:48:29)
If you've been in an academic setting outside of your home, consider getting a letter from there, even if it's not a math teacher. You can also include a brief note from your father about your progress.

DanZ (18:48:42)
But we would definitely prefer it comes from someone who's not a family member.

DanZ (18:49:02)
If worse comes to worse, we can make do without; but e-mail us to see if there might be someone else.

calc rulz (18:48:25)
yeah i was wondering about answers, though i might just spend a couple mins looking over it, but...that link gives this year's quiz btw

DanZ (18:49:32)
If you have a specific question about an answer, you can PM me or e-mail us and we can probably give you a hint, or tell you if a solution you'd like to test out is correct.

DanZ (18:49:40)
But don't send an entire quiz; those take a while to grade!

E^(pi*i)=-1 (18:49:01)
I'm homeschooled too. Last year I asked the coach of the math team I'm on for a recommendation.

JAM (18:49:11)
I got teacher recommendations from my ARML coach and one of my teachers from CTY (I'm a homeschooled alum)

DanZ (18:49:52)
There are two even better answers.

JerryS (18:49:57)
My math leaugue coach or Duke TIP teacher might be a good choice...

DanZ (18:50:06)
Definitely.

calc rulz (18:48:41)
nvm, i replaced it with 05 and it gave last year's

DanZ (18:50:24)
Any other questions?

calc rulz (18:50:38)
Would a personal friend of a parent work as a reference? ie someone who knows me well

DanZ (18:51:01)
Yes, that should be OK.

DanZ (18:51:19)
We're relatively flexible about this.

DanZ (18:51:39)
So, one topic I haven't mentioned yet regarding applications is scholarships.

DanZ (18:51:53)
And that's a pity, because I cannot emphasize this enough: even if you think you can't afford the camp, you should apply.

DanZ (18:52:14)
We've been very fortunate to have sufficient funding to give out many scholarships in recent years --- I believe the figure is around $50,000 last year.

DanZ (18:52:23)
Considering that we have about 100 campers, that's pretty significant per person!

DanZ (18:53:01)
Most of our financial aid is need-based, although we have a bit of merit-based aid; for example, there's a scholarship for top-scoring USAMTS participants. (We're a sponsor of USAMTS.)

DanZ (18:53:58)
Okay, so, if questions aren't forthcoming, let me ask our alumni something. What have I missed? What would you guys want to tell prospective campers?

calc rulz (18:54:08)
By the way, about that scholarship: 1) Do the top 30 USAMTS people who apply get it, or just the top 30 whether they apply or not? 2) Any idea what the cutoff is usually for USAMTS for males?

DanZ (18:54:30)
Honestly, I have no idea.

DanZ (18:54:49)
Sorry! But if you e-mail us, someone who does know will be able to answer your question.

E^(pi*i)=-1 (18:55:23)
Since this is AoPS, mention Team Problem Solving and Relays.

DanZ (18:55:32)
That's a very good call.

DanZ (18:55:58)
So, Mathcamp tends to focus on learning new kinds of mathematics. Much of what we do is stuff you might not see until college, or even graduate school --- and that's only if you were to decide to study mathematics!

DanZ (18:56:27)
However, we have a significant problem solving component as well, because we do believe that problem solving skills are very important.

DanZ (18:57:02)
So we have two hours of problem solving classes every day, taught by Bogdan Enescu, who's been a trainer for the Romanian IMO team since 1989.

DanZ (18:57:04)
He's very good.

DanZ (18:57:19)
In addition, we have some problem solving competitions --- ""for fun,"" but still very interesting.

DanZ (18:57:52)
One of these is ""team problem solving,"" or TPS. It's a weekly meeting where teams compete over the course of camp to answer proof-based problems. Typically each team gets a set of questions which they have two hours to answer.

DanZ (18:57:58)
This is usually done in the evening.

DanZ (18:58:14)
In addition, at the end of the class week, to celebrate the weekend, we have ""relays,"" where the format varies a lot!

DanZ (18:58:22)
These are usually easier problems, but lots of them, which teams try to solve quickly.

DanZ (18:58:49)
Sometimes it's a straightforward event --- try to answer as many as you can. But other times, teams will have to do more ""interesting"" things in addition to answering the problems.

DanZ (18:58:57)
It's a lot of fun, and carries prizes like candy. :)

E^(pi*i)=-1 (18:57:55)
Yeah, I'll put in a recommendation for Bogdan - Olympiad Problem Solving was very helpful.

DanZ (18:59:50)
Also, a lot of our counselors have extensive problem solving experience, and the kinds of problems we ask --- even in the theoretical classes --- will stretch your problem solving skills, especially for proof-based competitions.

DanZ (19:00:04)
More questions?

calc rulz (19:00:11)
How does he(bogdan) organize the courses? like is it a particular subject a particular week? How much and what would you get from his courses if you come some weeks and not others?

DanZ (19:00:40)
So, I have, depressingly, not actually *been* to his courses yet (I've been too busy teaching!) --- so, alumni?

DanZ (19:01:07)
However, I do know that the weeks are independent of each other; you might get general skills from one week that you can use for the next week, but you can definitely go to one or another and completely keep up.

E^(pi*i)=-1 (19:01:21)
Generally, he teaches a different topic every week. So coming some weeks and not others shouldn't be a problem.

JAM (19:01:29)
I think it's like a particular subject each week. Only coming to some weeks should be fine

DanZ (19:01:37)
Thanks!

DanZ (19:01:52)
If you'd like to get a better idea of the [i]huge[/i] variety of classes we offer, you can go to our web page on ""academics:""

DanZ (19:01:54)
http://www.mathcamp.org/academic.php

DanZ (19:02:03)
And click on the Mathcamp 2006 class schedules and/or class descriptions.

DanZ (19:02:30)
Each hour of the day has 5-6 different classes you can choose between, all covering different material, and all at different difficulty levels.

DanZ (19:02:48)
The last week of camp is even more special.

DanZ (19:03:13)
The staff all propose different courses, and get suggestions from the campers. Then we hold a camp-wide vote on what you want to see.

DanZ (19:03:33)
Sometimes this means continuing a popular course from a previous week; sometimes it means something entirely new.

DanZ (19:03:55)
Last year, I had to relearn quantum computing, which I hadn't seen for a couple of years, because I volunteered to teach about it and it got voted in!

DanZ (19:04:26)
I will pause again for questions.

DanZ (19:04:39)
Anyone have anything they'd like to ask about what I've said, or about something entirely different?

DanZ (19:05:31)
Ok, well, let me say a bit more about the camp, then.

DanZ (19:06:00)
As I said before, our focus is on letting the students take charge. You guys get to choose what classes you want to attend and how many, what project you want to do (if any), and how you budget your time. It's a lot like college in that way.

DanZ (19:06:12)
But we don't just say ""here's a really confusing schedule"" and that's it.

DanZ (19:06:30)
When you come to camp, you're immediately matched with a residential advisor who helps you navigate all kinds of different issues at camp.

DanZ (19:06:46)
In addition, on the first day, you get to choose an academic advisor.

DanZ (19:07:07)
This is someone you'll meet with every week, who can tell you more about the different classes and opportunities.

DanZ (19:07:43)
They'll help you choose your schedule, although you always have final say. Some people come in for their meeting and say ""I'd like to take this, this, this and this"" and then the meeting's over; others come in and say ""what do you think I should take?""

DanZ (19:07:53)
So your meetings with your advisor can be just about anything.

JerryS (19:07:35)
How many students are there for one advisor?

DanZ (19:08:08)
Residential advisors have about six; academic advisors about eight.

DanZ (19:08:31)
For your residential advisor, you'll live near them; they're a goto person whenever something comes up.

DanZ (19:08:39)
And also just someone you can talk with.

DanZ (19:08:47)
The academic advisors tend to have individual meetings with all their advisees.

DanZ (19:08:54)
So, this sounds really formal, but it'snot.

DanZ (19:09:38)
It's not like anyone only talks to their advisors about classes, or whatever --- we're all there together, and we hang out together a lot. You'll find that all of the counselors eat their meals in the cafeteria with you, and so lunch will be filled with discussions mathematical and otherwise.

DanZ (19:10:12)
In the evening, we'll tend to all play games together, or Ultimate Frisbee, or whatever --- there are usually at least ten different things going on across campus, and it's students and staff hanging out, having fun together.

DanZ (19:10:49)
Also, last year, there was a student vs. staff Ultimate Frisbee game where the staff won. I think it's worth mentioning that the students are in dire need of good players so they can try to take back the title this year!

DanZ (19:11:20)
Let's see... what else is there to talk about...

DanZ (19:12:01)
I haven't mentioned a lot of the interesting events that happen, for example. As I said, last year, a group of students created a musical --- a parody of [i]Phantom of the Opera[/i], in facct.

DanZ (19:12:20)
To the point where most of us don't know the original lyrics at all, but only the parody, [i]Phantom of the Lecture Hall.[/i]

DanZ (19:12:38)
We have a camp talent show at the end, which features everything from skits to dancing, music, and Rubik's cube solving.

DanZ (19:12:58)
And the students (not the staff, but the students) produce a camp yearbook that gets distributed to the whole camp.

Fairy (19:12:01)
How many questions on the quiz do you have to answer? or should answer

DanZ (19:13:15)
As many as you can.

DanZ (19:13:22)
I know, that answer doesn't make you happy, right?

DanZ (19:13:37)
But you really should show us what you've done on everything. There's no set number --- partial progress on many might make up for failing to completely solve a lot.

DanZ (19:13:52)
Sometimes we've just seen one solution that was so beautiful, we just couldn't not admit the person.

DanZ (19:14:02)
Go for it, do your best; don't lose your life over it, but enjoy it.

JerryS (19:12:02)
Should I submit the quiz answers in LaTeX?

DanZ (19:14:21)
Certainly if you want to!

DanZ (19:14:32)
However, it's not required; we've had solutions in all kinds of formats.

DanZ (19:14:46)
Of course, we always appreciate it if the solutions are more readable for us, especially when they're submitted online.

DanZ (19:14:55)
If you're going to scan in handwritten work, try to keep it as clean as possible, please!

Fairy (19:13:39)
ya... :)

DanZ (19:15:24)
Part of the reason we're always evasive about quiz answers is that some people think they've solved problems when they haven't, really.

DanZ (19:15:50)
If you're confident you've solved eight, you're probably in. But other than that, I would say to work as long as you continue to enjoy it.

JAM (19:13:04)
You could go into more detail about all the cool things that happen at camp (puzzlehunt, IL, Math until we die, 30 proof in 30 minutes, etc.)

DanZ (19:16:12)
Hehe. Okay, well, I'll do what I can.

DanZ (19:16:28)
Let me start from the back and work my way forwards.

DanZ (19:16:38)
On the last night of camp, we're all very excited and energized. We don't want to leave!

DanZ (19:16:49)
So to try to get as much time as possible, we have a camp-wide all nighter.

DanZ (19:17:02)
If you want to sleep, you can certainly do so, and we try to make sure the dorm is quiet; but most people stay up and leave sleeping for their flights home.

Hamster1800 (19:17:01)
And we want to be able to sleep on the trip home too :)

DanZ (19:17:09)
Precisely!

DanZ (19:17:43)
One of the ""kickoff"" events for the all nighter is ""30 Proofs in 30 Minutes."" Up until last year, it was simple: the staff got up at 11:30pm, and by midnight, 30 proofs must have been presented to the camp.

DanZ (19:17:57)
I think that the highest we ever managed was actually finishing 43 proofs in 30 minutes.

DanZ (19:18:05)
Last year, we decided that we'd gotten too good at it, so we changed the rules.

DanZ (19:18:31)
Now, the campers decided what proofs we did. So we took submissions, and at 11pm we opened them up. We got half an hour to prepare, then we had 30 minutes to do 30 proofs --- which we didn't even know about until then.

DanZ (19:18:38)
We made it, much to our surprise.

DanZ (19:18:59)
The point is that we try to have fun with the math we do, and, especially near the end, fool around with it, enjoy it.

DanZ (19:19:22)
One of our staff members, David Roe, tends to do an event called ""Math Until We Die"" which JAM mentioned.

DanZ (19:19:39)
David, in case you're wondering, is absolutely crazy and knows an absolute [i]ton[/i] of math.

DanZ (19:19:54)
So at midnight, he starts doing math, and keeps going until everyone falls asleep (they die) or he loses his voice (he dies).

DanZ (19:20:00)
Does anyone know what time he finally finished last year?

E^(pi*i)=-1 (19:20:22)
I died at around 7:30 last year, only an hour before he did . . .

DanZ (19:20:34)
It goes on for a while!

DanZ (19:20:45)
On the other hand, we also try to do lots of non-math events. For example, JAM mentioned the ""IL."" IL stands for ""Interactive Literature.""

DanZ (19:21:02)
This is an event where, for about five hours or so, you get to take on the role of some character in an alternate universe.

DanZ (19:21:19)
We've done science fiction settings, modern-day settings, historical settings, fantasy settings, and much more.

DanZ (19:21:35)
You're given a character ""background,"" which describes your history in the world.

DanZ (19:21:59)
And then you and the 40 or so other players all interact, trying to accomplish your goals, telling a story together in this world.

DanZ (19:22:32)
Two years ago a group of magicians saved magic from dying out in their kingdom; last year a group of space pirates saved themselves from destruction and struck a blow against an oppressive government.

DanZ (19:22:36)
It's a pretty varied thing!

DanZ (19:23:13)
Mathcamp is [i]filled[/i] with these things; all kinds of people will set up activities --- field trips, Scrabble tournaments, storytelling nights, whatever --- and just get together with their friends, enjoy something different.

DanZ (19:23:41)
Two years ago a student prepared a 30-minute parody of [i]The Matrix[/i] for the talent show; it was the most incredibly pun-filled math skit I've ever seen.

DanZ (19:23:56)
I got to play ""Morphism."" (A pun on ""Morpheus."")

DanZ (19:24:10)
It's a very lively place, filled with many different things.

DanZ (19:24:49)
I guess we're actually getting surprisingly close to the end of the hour, but please, more questions

DanZ (19:24:51)
?

DanZ (19:25:00)
On the admissions process, what life at camp is like, recreation, math, any of it?

DanZ (19:25:25)
I've rambled on quite extensively, but I feel like I haven't even cracked the shell of all that is at Mathcamp.

Fairy (19:25:25)
when is the closing date? does it matter how early or late you send in your application?

DanZ (19:25:43)
The deadline for submitting your application is May 1; we must have received it by then.

DanZ (19:26:03)
It doesn't matter if you submit it early unless you need an early decision; we tend to wait until May 1 to begin grading, because the cut-offs for each year depend on everyone else's applications.

medicalmania17 (19:25:58)
do they look at AMC and other competition scores?

DanZ (19:26:21)
Usually not.

DanZ (19:26:30)
It's worth mentioning, certainly, to show your interest in mathematics.

DanZ (19:26:46)
But since a lot of the math done at camp is actually quite different from competition math, the qualifying quiz takes precedence.

DanZ (19:26:51)
Certainly outstanding performance will make a difference!

medicalmania17 (19:26:49)
this is at UTD right?? just checking..

DanZ (19:27:09)
UTD? No, actually.

DanZ (19:27:11)
So it's good you checked!

DanZ (19:27:30)
We move around each year. Last year we were in Tacoma, Washington, at the University of Puget Sound. This year we're at Colby College in Waterville, Maine.

DanZ (19:27:39)
Colby is a really gorgeous campus, by the way.

DanZ (19:27:47)
One of the best places to have camp in my opinion.

DanZ (19:28:30)
I'm actually not sure what camp is at UTD.

E^(pi*i)=-1 (19:28:24)
One advantage of Mathcamp is that they don't have it in ugly places like Dallas :-)

DanZ (19:28:39)
Hehe.

E^(pi*i)=-1 (19:28:42)
AwesomeMath is at UTD

DanZ (19:29:11)
I think any of our alumni will tell you that Mathcamp has to be experienced to be really understood. We have a great deal of mathematics, but we have a great deal of other stuff as well; no one is ever bored.

DanZ (19:29:36)
And the math is interesting; if you've never seen advanced mathematics (not calculus, but group theory or topology), then it's eye-opening and absolutely gorgeous.

DanZ (19:29:44)
Mathcamp probably changed my career entirely.

DanZ (19:30:29)
So, it's possible that you've already received a brochure (or you will be receiving one soon) depending on your AMC, USAMTS, or other competition performance.

DanZ (19:30:32)
If not, you can request a brochure from our website.

DanZ (19:30:57)
It's a strange thing to have that brochure (I actually helped to design it), because it's all glossy and fancy and looks like we must be this huge camp.

DanZ (19:31:09)
Mathcamp is a really fun, really interesting place, and it's probably different from a lot of what the brochure can capture.

DanZ (19:31:24)
One of the things you'll notice is that we have a lot of quotes from our alumni --- which they offer freely --- about why Mathcamp was excellent for them.

DanZ (19:31:33)
Some of these are also on our website, but I think those need updating.

DanZ (19:31:55)
I could actually probably spend quite a while just posting them here so you could see what they say, but instead I'll offer a meta-quote from one alum on the end-of-camp survey last year:

DanZ (19:32:02)
Mathcamp didn't let me down. The quotes, articles, advertisements for the
first time weren't just propaganda (like other programs/schools), they
were true! Oh, also, I didn't expect such insanity, but I love it!

DanZ (19:32:20)
Mathcamp is well worth attending and giving serious consideration to.

DanZ (19:32:22)
One more question:

medicalmania17 (19:30:44)
im not very experienced in math...and my interest in math grew immensely this year...should I still apply to math camp even though I'm not a very experienced mathametician

DanZ (19:32:28)
Yes, you should!

DanZ (19:32:50)
Mathcamp has people at all levels; we've had campers with published papers, and we've had campers that were just learning how proof by induction works.

DanZ (19:33:19)
So we're really open to everyone, and have material ranging from --- this might even be a direct quote from our ""propaganda"" --- beginning to the most advanced.

DanZ (19:33:28)
It's definitely worth it for you to come.

medicalmania17 (19:32:50)
Sorry I have 1 last question....What if I can't attend the whole program?

DanZ (19:33:35)
It depends how much of it you can make.

DanZ (19:33:46)
If you're only missing one week, it may be possible to arrange something.

DanZ (19:33:55)
However, you should contact us ahead of time.

DanZ (19:34:05)
It also depends on where that week is; it's more difficult to miss the beginning than the end, for example.

DanZ (19:34:14)
Any other last questions?

DanZ (19:34:57)
Well, then thank you all for coming. I always enjoy talking about camp!

DanZ (19:35:04)
If you have any more questions, feel free to e-mail us or PM me.

DPatrick (19:35:09)
Thanks Dan!

DanZ (19:35:13)
You can also go to our website, www.mathcamp.org, and get much more information.

DanZ (19:35:29)
That's it for me --- I'll hang around for a few minutes to answer anything else.

DanZ (19:35:40)
And finally, thank you to Art of Problem Solving for hosting this Math Jam!

DPatrick (19:36:22)
If you missed any part of this Math Jam, the transcript will be available on the website (probably later tonight but maybe not until tomorrow).