2020 REU

[lettuce]

If I already got into an REU, is it worth waiting to hear back from any other REU that I would want more, or should I just accept (since the deadline is March 8 )? For example, will programs allow you to negotiate a response date if you ask them? Or is this generally not done?

[complexcat]

If I already got into an REU, is it worth waiting to hear back from any other REU that I would want more, or should I just accept (since the deadline is March 8 )? For example, will programs allow you to negotiate a response date if you ask them? Or is this generally not done?

Hi! The usual practice is that if you receive an offer but there's a different program you would prefer, you can email the preferred program letting them know that you've been asked to reply to an offer from a different REU by a certain date. In this email you can ask about the status of your application. Some programs can give you an extension on the response date (if you plan to ask for an extension, ask ASAP.)

Sometimes you need to make a decision without complete information, for example if one program can't give you a decision yet. That's okay. If they've given you an offer they must think you're a great fit.

[Hallauer]

I got an acceptance to the Clemson REU.

[jjmb11]

I was just offered a spot at RIPS. I am quite relieved, this is the only response I have gotten to my applications yet!

[notaiscrim]

I got an acceptance to the Clemson REU.

Are you going to accept it?

[hctep]

I just accepted an offer from Georgia Tech. Please send me a private message if you are also attending Georgia Tech REU

[complexcat]

I was just offered a spot at RIPS. I am quite relieved, this is the only response I have gotten to my applications yet!

RIPS is known to be a great program. Congratulations!!!

[jjmb11]

I was just offered a spot at RIPS. I am quite relieved, this is the only response I have gotten to my applications yet!

RIPS is known to be a great program. Congratulations!!!

Thank you!

[zliang17]

Anyone has heard back from REU programs at Cornell?

[eigenviper]

Yes, first round offers (for the REU at least, don't know about SPUR) went out on March 3. I got in and am going.

[zliang17]

Yes, first round offers (for the REU at least, don't know about SPUR) went out on March 3. I got in and am going.

Congratulations for getting into the REU program! I applied to SPUR and received an unofficial email from the professor saying that I got in. Haven't received an official offer yet so I'm a bit worried.

[cauchysequence]

Someone on top said that UVA has already sent out acceptances -- was that just for the number theory group or the whole thing? I applied to the topology group and haven't heard anything yet. I'm also wondering if anyone has heard back from any analysis or topology groups yet since those were the ones I applied to.

UVA said they are doing groups separately - yes number theory has already come out, but topology is moving slower. They hope for them to come out by the end of the month.

Have you heard anything yet? Thanks.

bump

[notaiscrim]

Algebraic Geometry @ SMALL has finalized its group.

[lokicalvetti]

Just got my first rejection. Apparently, UVa has finalized their groups. Oof.

[ufo1234]

anyone hear back from Michigan (Ann-Arbor)?

[hermy448]

Anyone else a little nervous that REUs will be cancelled if the virus stuff continues?

[deviant_lime]

Anyone else a little nervous that REUs will be cancelled if the virus stuff continues?

Yeah, I committed to Occidental so I'm kind of worried stuff might get cancelled since it's in LA. On the bright side, I think that math REU programs have a unique advantage of not needing specific materials like a lab setting etc to run so it's possible they could be run on a video basis if people can't travel to certain campuses. Given, that's not any official info it's just my thoughts on the matter. I'm hoping that the coronavirus will be on its downturn by then.

[hermy448]

Anyone else a little nervous that REUs will be cancelled if the virus stuff continues?

Yeah, I committed to Occidental so I'm kind of worried stuff might get cancelled since it's in LA. On the bright side, I think that math REU programs have a unique advantage of not needing specific materials like a lab setting etc to run so it's possible they could be run on a video basis if people can't travel to certain campuses. Given, that's not any official info it's just my thoughts on the matter. I'm hoping that the coronavirus will be on its downturn by then.

I’ve committed to MSRI, which is also in a highly populated area (Berkeley). What sucks is that I think we could all benefit from like actually being with other students and spending some bonding time outside of the actual research hours... but as a last resort, I guess it’s good that we could potentially do things online. I’m also hoping that the coronavirus will be largely under control by then

[katerina_1610]

Any news from RIPS?
I haven't received a rejection yet

[Sobolev_Inequality]

Any news from RIPS?
I haven't received a rejection yet

From my experience, RIPS never sends out rejections. They just ghost you.

[complexcat]

I hope that everyone is staying safe during this time.
What is the current status of certain REU programs? I heard that some REU's are cancelling and some are promising to move online in the worst case.

[deviant_lime]

I hope that everyone is staying safe during this time.
What is the current status of certain REU programs? I heard that some REU's are cancelling and some are promising to move online in the worst case.

I got an email the other day saying mine would go ahead through video if necessary.

[donkeybrains2]

Does anyone know if Minnesota-Twin Cities, RIT, and Kent State have finished selection yet? I sent each an e-mail about a week ago but they haven't responded.

[yyysun]

Hi everyone. I want my graduate school application to look better (the most important thing for me), so should I choose an REU (not a top one) instead of PCMI? PCMI is like a lecture series and there's no research part. I personally want to do more research.

[complexcat]

Hi everyone. I want my graduate school application to look better (the most important thing for me), so should I choose an REU (not a top one) instead of PCMI? PCMI is like a lecture series and there's no research part. I personally want to do more research.

Hi If you want to do more research, an REU sounds like a great choice. In terms of grad school, the major advantage of an REU is that it's an excellent opportunity for a recommendation letter. When I talked to a Director of Graduate Studies, they said that a strong recommendation from an REU is a boost for your application, especially if they're not familiar with your home institution's department.

The major advantage of PCMI (Disclaimer: I've never done the program) is that it seems like a great opportunity for networking--the REU can be too though, especially if you present your work at conferences in the fall. Don't worry about the REU not being a "top one." It's already very competitive to get a spot at an REU that doesn't fall in this category. Your efforts will be what matters the most.

[emptiest.set]

I heard that PCMI got canceled. Has anyone else heard things from other programs about running, going online, or canceling?

[hermy448]

I heard that PCMI got canceled. Has anyone else heard things from other programs about running, going online, or canceling?

Check this thread out on reddit.
https://www.reddit.com/r/REU/comments/f ... ame=iossmf

[insom15]

anyone hear anything from CSUSB yet? Someone on reddit said they got an acceptance so I was wondering if anyone else did as well?

[complexcat]

anyone hear anything from CSUSB yet? Someone on reddit said they got an acceptance so I was wondering if anyone else did as well?

I recently turned down an offer from CSUSB because I'm already committed elsewhere.

[emptiest.set]

anyone hear anything from CSUSB yet? Someone on reddit said they got an acceptance so I was wondering if anyone else did as well?

I recently turned down an offer from CSUSB because I'm already committed elsewhere.

Congrats on committing to a program!!

[complexcat]

anyone hear anything from CSUSB yet? Someone on reddit said they got an acceptance so I was wondering if anyone else did as well?

I recently turned down an offer from CSUSB because I'm already committed elsewhere.

Congrats on committing to a program!!

Thank you!!
The people who run the CSUSB REU seem really nice.

[sp_96]

Hey everyone,

I know there's not a lot of information that goes into how difficult it is to get into REU's. I wanted to give my personal CV so that you have a sense of what it is like to apply to these program, who are you competing against, and where you might stack up in all of this. I've only gotten into one REU but I hope to shed light to anyone wondering. I hope that this doesn’t discourage anyone from applying to REUS but my personal experience was a bit harsh. These programs can be extremely competitive and with such low acceptance rates even students who are really qualified may not get the opportunity to attend. The problem isn’t that most people are under qualified, rather, the number of positions is just incredibly too low.

Undergrad Institution: George Mason University
Academic Level: Sophomore (Senior in terms of credits)
Major(s): Mathematics
Minor(s): Philosophy
Cumulative GPA: 3.7
Major GPA: 3.92
Type of Student: South Asian

Program Applying: Pure Math REU's (Algebra mostly)

Research Experience: I've worked on two commutative algebra projects in the past two years. One of them is currently being compiled into paper that we are going to spend for publication.
Awards/Honors/Recognitions: Dean's List twice
Pertinent Activities or Jobs: Teaching Assistant for Linear Algebra and Calculus III
Graduate Courses: Geometric Group Theory, Topology, Complex Analysis, Algebra, Linear Algebra with Applications to Data Science
Relevant Courses: Differential Geometry, Functional Analysis and Measure Theory, Lie Groups, Abstract Algebra, Real Analysis I and II, and all the other freshman and sophomore level mathematics.
Letter Writers: First recommendation was from my research advisor from the last two years; her main field of interest is in commutative algebra. Second was the professor I TA'ed with; she is pretty well respected in her field. I know my letters of recommendation are really strong.

Applying to Where:
Kent State - Ring Theory / Essentially Rejected
UVA - Representation Theory/ Rejected
Texas A&M - Probability and Algebra / Rejected
Texas State - Algebra / Rejected
Ursinus - Representation Theory of Lie Algebras / Accepted (Unfortunately the REU is postponed till next summer)
University of Auburn / Shortlisted and then rejected (Would have gotten accepted if I had my friend reach out to the director earlier)

My acceptance into the Ursinus College REU is heavily influenced because of my course in Lie Groups (I specifically did a presentation on proving the simplicity of a lie algebra which was mentioned in the project description) and also my research in commutative algebra. I placed very heavy emphasis on this when I submitted my Research Statement.

[temporaryacct]

For anyone reading this, don't be too intimidated by the previous post. My experience applying wasn't really like that at all. I applied to REUs the summer after my junior year with no math research experience and only a handful of proof-based math courses. I got into a pretty decent REU and really enjoyed it; it ended up being super fun and productive. I was even competitive with some of the more fancy ones like the one in Duluth (I was like fourth on the waitlist).

The people running REUs are people who care about students and enjoy working with them. If their only goal was to publish, they would just work on their own research without undergrads. I would say that rec letters, doing well in the math classes that you have taken (no matter how many/few), and personal statement. Your rec letters don't have to be from anyone famous or anything, they just have to show that you're curious, eager to learn, and pleasant to work with. The director of my REU last summer basically said that whether a student seemed like someone it'd be enjoyable to spend a summer working with was an important criteria in their search.

My point is that you don't need an extensive CV in math or prestigious connections to have a great REU experience. The mission of most REUs is to provide research experience for students who don't have opportunities to do it. Their goal is not to just find the strongest, most experienced students and churn out papers; they want to get people into math. There are definitely a handful that do have that mindset and really value strong backgrounds, but the vast majority are open to students without much math experience at all.

[sp_96]

Thanks for the response. Ya no one should feel discouraged from applying and everyone has their own experiences with applying. I just wanted to give my personal experience in the process. I do also want to state that getting into an REU isn’t the make or break for pursuing a higher education in mathematics. If anything, the most important thing that I noticed is your interest in taking more advanced mathematics courses and you’re relationship with professors. The number of opportunities that have been opened up for me were because my professors reached out to me. Try to ask a professor you enjoy talking to to do research with them, an independent study, or even ask them about higher mathematics. Just developing these important connections will lead yourself to countless opportunities.

Anyways, I hope everyone is doing well. Stay safe.

[imjonsnow362]

I was just offered a spot at RIPS. I am quite relieved, this is the only response I have gotten to my applications yet!

Hi can you tell me all the procedure of getting in this program (E.g. Interview Rounds etc.)
I couldn't find anything on the internet..