2021 REU Programs

[Lucinda_a]

I didn't hear anything from UChicago yet... Anyone same as me?

[kahdk]

To whoever the kind person that just posted:

Thank you so much for sharing. It’s very likely that I will probably be rejected by all the programs I’ve applied to. Seeing everyone getting accepted to nice programs, it honestly kinda feels like the end of the world to me : P
Thanks for putting some perspectives into the picture. This week (and next week, I imagine) has not been a great week because of all the rejections. Neither has it been helpful for my mental health. I guess it’s nice to see someone “from the future” come back and tell me that my math career will not be over just because I didn’t get into some REUs : )

Hey I am the poster. But somehow my post was deleted (I guess by myself). There were some glitches on my computer. I will try to repost it. Glad my post might help you. You are all fine and your math career is far from being over!

[kahdk]

(I made this poster ealier but it was gone probably due to some computer glitches. I am trying to repost it)

This might be irrelevant but I just want to reassure all you guys that if you didn't get selected by any REU program this year, it is all fine! Two years ago I was rejected by all (many) REU programs I applied to as a sophomore. What I ended up doing that summer was merely reading and teaching myself some math. But then in my junoir year, I managed to skip the undergraduate courses that I leanred by myself during the past summer and take the grad one, where I met a prof I really liked. I then did reading and research with him. For my Junior summer, I didnt apply to any REU and instead worked with that prof. We got some interesting and (hopefully) nontrivial results. And now I got in several top20 and even some top10 PhD programs. So all I wanted to say is that REU is not a must-have for even grad application not to mention your math career. As long as you stick to math and would like to reach out to as many research opportunities as possible, it will all be fine!

But of course, REU is an indispensible experience in terms of getting connected with your peer students. So congrats to anyone who got in!

[Yagami1728]

I just got rejected from Baruch (mailed them). Anyway, I was told that a few more offers will be made in the first round.

[raremeatsandcheeses]

UChicago has sent out all their apprentice program acceptances.

[safer77]

To whoever the kind person that just posted:

Thank you so much for sharing. It’s very likely that I will probably be rejected by all the programs I’ve applied to. Seeing everyone getting accepted to nice programs, it honestly kinda feels like the end of the world to me : P
Thanks for putting some perspectives into the picture. This week (and next week, I imagine) has not been a great week because of all the rejections. Neither has it been helpful for my mental health. I guess it’s nice to see someone “from the future” come back and tell me that my math career will not be over just because I didn’t get into some REUs : )

I know it's probably little consolation, but I think most people end up getting rejected everywhere they apply—they just don't post about it on the forums because they're embarrassed.

Anyways, if you still want to do something in math this summer there's plenty of math programs where undergrads teach high school students about number theory, geometry, etc., and they always need counselors. I did that last summer, and it was a blast! So, there's still cool pure math jobs for you to do if you like teaching.

I'm not sure if BU's PROMYS counselor application is still open, but you might want to check that out. There's also the Young Scholar's Program at UChicago, but they haven't updated the website from last year so I think you should just email the director if you're interested in that. And I'm sure there's a bunch more I don't know about—a quick Google search should bring some up in your area. Also, tutoring can pay pretty well if you can't find a program like those though.

Just know that getting rejected from all the REUs is not the end of the line for your math summer prospects, and it certainly isn't the end-all-be-all of your math career in general. And that's true for anyone else reading this thinking they're screwed right now.

[Lucinda_a]

UChicago has sent out all their apprentice program acceptances.

I applied to the full program, but I think I will be rejected... It shouldn't be that late...

[safer77]

UChicago has sent out all their apprentice program acceptances.

I applied to the full program, but I think I will be rejected... It shouldn't be that late...

In my experience, UChicago is always a little late. But, if you start hearing about non-UChicago students getting admitted then you should expect the worst. Prof. May always sends the acceptances before rejections.

[Jmr324]

Accepted in CUNY Baruch REU last night!! I’m super excited.

[Jmr324]

To whoever the kind person that just posted:

Thank you so much for sharing. It’s very likely that I will probably be rejected by all the programs I’ve applied to. Seeing everyone getting accepted to nice programs, it honestly kinda feels like the end of the world to me : P
Thanks for putting some perspectives into the picture. This week (and next week, I imagine) has not been a great week because of all the rejections. Neither has it been helpful for my mental health. I guess it’s nice to see someone “from the future” come back and tell me that my math career will not be over just because I didn’t get into some REUs : )

I know it's probably little consolation, but I think most people end up getting rejected everywhere they apply—they just don't post about it on the forums because they're embarrassed.

Anyways, if you still want to do something in math this summer there's plenty of math programs where undergrads teach high school students about number theory, geometry, etc., and they always need counselors. I did that last summer, and it was a blast! So, there's still cool pure math jobs for you to do if you like teaching.

I'm not sure if BU's PROMYS counselor application is still open, but you might want to check that out. There's also the Young Scholar's Program at UChicago, but they haven't updated the website from last year so I think you should just email the director if you're interested in that. And I'm sure there's a bunch more I don't know about—a quick Google search should bring some up in your area. Also, tutoring can pay pretty well if you can't find a program like those though.

Just know that getting rejected from all the REUs is not the end of the line for your math summer prospects, and it certainly isn't the end-all-be-all of your math career in general. And that's true for anyone else reading this thinking they're screwed right now.

You can also work with a professor at your home university. I did this last summer and it was great.

[Jmr324]

Here is my advice for getting into an REU:
1) Try to find an area of math you like and take as many courses in it as possible (graduate-level too if possible). Also, take courses like algebra/analysis, these are foundational.
2) Do research with a prof at your home university.
I did this and got in CUNY discrete math REU (for a project on extremal/probabilistic combinatorics). Obviously, this won't always work but I think the only reason I got in was because of my background in graph theory/discrete math (3 grad classes and 2 undergrad classes in discrete math). I already have experience with topics in extremal/probabilistic combinatorics from one of my classes so I won't have to spend too much time building a background before starting research (I think this helped a lot). Overall I am not an amazing applicant. I go to a university that isn't even T100 for math and my gpa is not great but I think having a super solid background in the research areas for this REU is what made me competitive. For those who won't get into an REU this summer, I am sorry . For sophomores/freshmen good luck next year. This is anecdotal ofc but a lot of people who get into an REU to work on a project related to X seem to have a lot of background in that area.

[INeedToBurn]

UChicago has sent out all their apprentice program acceptances.

I applied to the full program, but I think I will be rejected... It shouldn't be that late...

Check you spam. I found it in there.

[Lucinda_a]

UChicago has sent out all their apprentice program acceptances.

I applied to the full program, but I think I will be rejected... It shouldn't be that late...

Check you spam. I found it in there.

Yes I checked it... But I got nothing. Maybe Professor May just forgot about me

[Jmr324]

I poked Yale SUMRY and they said they sent out all offers.

[dwarz456]

I poked Yale SUMRY and they said they sent out all offers.

Is this for Yale students or everyone in general? Also, would you mind sharing what the email said?

[Jmr324]

I poked Yale SUMRY and they said they sent out all offers.

Is this for Yale students or everyone in general? Also, would you mind sharing what the email said?

I don't go to Yale so I'm not sure, but the email said:
"Offers have been sent and we do not anticipate making more before the 3/8 deadline. Best of luck this summer!
-SUMRY"

[INeedToBurn]

Do they have more rounds of offers after 3/8?

[hu_bryan]

Accepted in CUNY Baruch REU last night!! I’m super excited.

Hey Jmr, congrats!

Do you know whether Sheffer has finished giving out first round offers? Did you have an interview with him? I've been waiting on CUNY's offer, and if they don't give me one soon, I'll have to go with another program.

[Jmr324]

Accepted in CUNY Baruch REU last night!! I’m super excited.

Hey Jmr, congrats!

Do you know whether Sheffer has finished giving out first round offers? Did you have an interview with him? I've been waiting on CUNY's offer, and if they don't give me one soon, I'll have to go with another program.

Thanks! I am not sure whether they finished giving out first-round offers but I think they have. I did not interview with him, I interviewed with Fan Wei.

[jalgebra]

Has anyone heard from UVA Topology yet?

[hu_bryan]

Accepted in CUNY Baruch REU last night!! I’m super excited.

Hey Jmr, congrats!

Do you know whether Sheffer has finished giving out first round offers? Did you have an interview with him? I've been waiting on CUNY's offer, and if they don't give me one soon, I'll have to go with another program.

Thanks! I am not sure whether they finished giving out first-round offers but I think they have. I did not interview with him, I interviewed with Fan Wei.

Hi, thanks for responding

[andyroop]

Has anyone heard from Cornell?

[spicyguava]

Has anyone heard from Cornell?

Not yet but their website says that decisions will be out around the 5th

[blackboardrules]

Anyone hear back from Fields? They said they'll release decisions around 3 weeks after deadline, and it's past that.

I emailed them, they said they’ve got the shortlist and still making decisions and hope to get results out in a couple of weeks.

[Jmr324]

Has anyone been accepted to prof Warnke project at GaTech REU? This is the last REU I am waiting to hear from before I accept Baruch.

[blackboardrules]

Anyone heard back from WAM at Institute for Advanced Study?

[andyroop]

Anyone heard from Pomona? According to their website, decisions should be released by today.

[qwerty176]

Anyone hear back from Fields? They said they'll release decisions around 3 weeks after deadline, and it's past that.

I emailed them, they said they’ve got the shortlist and still making decisions and hope to get results out in a couple of weeks.

May I ask, when and whom did you email? since I received no response from Eelhart.

[blackboardrules]

Anyone hear back from Fields? They said they'll release decisions around 3 weeks after deadline, and it's past that.

I emailed them, they said they’ve got the shortlist and still making decisions and hope to get results out in a couple of weeks.

May I ask, when and whom did you email? since I received no response from Eelhart.

I just emailed Fields, and the person who got back to me was Duduzile Chinyenze.

[qwerty176]

I emailed them, they said they’ve got the shortlist and still making decisions and hope to get results out in a couple of weeks.

May I ask, when and whom did you email? since I received no response from Eelhart.

I just emailed Fields, and the person who got back to me was Duduzile Chinyenze.

I see. Thanks for this info.

[Lucinda_a]

I applied to the full program, but I think I will be rejected... It shouldn't be that late...

Check you spam. I found it in there.

Yes I checked it... But I got nothing. Maybe Professor May just forgot about me

Update: I received an unofficial offer for the full program of UChicago REU from Professor May. Really excited!

[bananachboy127]

Has anyone heard from Dearborn's linear fractional transformations group (also did anyone else think it was spelled Deerborn for the longest time)?

[safer77]

Anyone heard from Pomona? According to their website, decisions should be released by today.

^^^

[dynamical]

Just a heads-up for anyone who is waiting on Duluth. Prof Gallian has sent out acceptances.

And to those who are discouraged about having not received offers. Keep your head up and try again next year! I didn't get any offers last year (out of the 15 REUs that I applied to) and I ended up doing a project with the Polymath REU (this is a great option btw!). Applying again this year, I am lucky enough to get a place at Duluth of all places, which I never would have believed possible.

Good luck and keep trying!

[INeedToBurn]

Just a heads-up for anyone who is waiting on Duluth. Prof Gallian has sent out acceptances.

And to those who are discouraged about having not received offers. Keep your head up and try again next year! I didn't get any offers last year (out of the 15 REUs that I applied to) and I ended up doing a project with the Polymath REU (this is a great option btw!). Applying again this year, I am lucky enough to get a place at Duluth of all places, which I never would have believed possible.

Good luck and keep trying!

What's the polymath REU that everyone's talking about? Which university is that?

[dynamical]

Last year, due to a bunch of REU cancellations (and I guess the worsening ratio of student to REU spots), a few REU supervisors co-organised a mass-online collaborative REU, called the Polymath REU. About 300 students split into about 10 or so research groups, each headed by a university professor and a few graduate students. Each research group then split into specific teams (of about 10 people each) working on individual problems.

It was really successful and a bunch of preprints and papers have already been produced. There's no stipend offered, but the experience is much like any other REU. Especially during these online times. It's a good option for anyone wanting to do research in math as an undergrad.

[hu_bryan]

Check you spam. I found it in there.

Yes I checked it... But I got nothing. Maybe Professor May just forgot about me

Update: I received an unofficial offer for the full program of UChicago REU from Professor May. Really excited!

Legendary. Congrats!!

[INeedToBurn]

Last year, due to a bunch of REU cancellations (and I guess the worsening ratio of student to REU spots), a few REU supervisors co-organised a mass-online collaborative REU, called the Polymath REU. About 300 students split into about 10 or so research groups, each headed by a university professor and a few graduate students. Each research group then split into specific teams (of about 10 people each) working on individual problems.

It was really successful and a bunch of preprints and papers have already been produced. There's no stipend offered, but the experience is much like any other REU. Especially during these online times. It's a good option for anyone wanting to do research in math as an undergrad.

Thank you so much for the information! It looks very promising and I will definitely apply. My only concern is that its deadline is very late (seems like it’s in April?). When were you notified of your acceptance last year? I don’t want to wait till April or May since I’m considering alternative research options at my own university.

[dynamical]

It was actually even later last year. I just checked my emails and the PolymathREU was announced by on the 29th of May. I applied a few days later, and they sent out acceptances less than two weeks after. Seeing as the deadline is earlier this year, I am sure that you will receive a notification quite soon after applying.

Also, I believe that it is much less difficult to get into the PolymathREU (this is not to say that the quality of students and mentors is any lower than at a regular REU). This is purely because a regular REU may have funding allowances for less than 10 people maybe, but the nature of PolymathREU allows them to take on many more students. As long as you have good enough grades, and reference letter that shows that you have no red flags, I'm guessing you will have a decent shot at getting in. Take this into account when considering whether to do this program or research at your home college.

Check out the PolymathREU program here. You can see the list of advisors and the collection of results from last summer.

[enthalpty]

It was actually even later last year. I just checked my emails and the PolymathREU was announced by on the 29th of May. I applied a few days later, and they sent out acceptances less than two weeks after. Seeing as the deadline is earlier this year, I am sure that you will receive a notification quite soon after applying.

Also, I believe that it is much less difficult to get into the PolymathREU (this is not to say that the quality of students and mentors is any lower than at a regular REU). This is purely because a regular REU may have funding allowances for less than 10 people maybe, but the nature of PolymathREU allows them to take on many more students. As long as you have good enough grades, and reference letter that shows that you have no red flags, I'm guessing you will have a decent shot at getting in. Take this into account when considering whether to do this program or research at your home college.

Check out the PolymathREU program here. You can see the list of advisors and the collection of results from last summer.

Thanks for sharing! Do you think we can expect a good if not strong LoR from the mentor in Polymath? I notice there are around 10 or more students in a group so I don't know whether the mentors will have the chance to know students as many of them are also mentoring other REUs (I am sure grad students are able to but they cannot write LoR anyway).

[Jmr324]

Last year, due to a bunch of REU cancellations (and I guess the worsening ratio of student to REU spots), a few REU supervisors co-organised a mass-online collaborative REU, called the Polymath REU. About 300 students split into about 10 or so research groups, each headed by a university professor and a few graduate students. Each research group then split into specific teams (of about 10 people each) working on individual problems.

It was really successful and a bunch of preprints and papers have already been produced. There's no stipend offered, but the experience is much like any other REU. Especially during these online times. It's a good option for anyone wanting to do research in math as an undergrad.

Thank you so much for the information! It looks very promising and I will definitely apply. My only concern is that its deadline is very late (seems like it’s in April?). When were you notified of your acceptance last year? I don’t want to wait till April or May since I’m considering alternative research options at my own university.

You are probably much better off working with a professor at your home university than this polymath reu tbh. Working one one one with a professor will allow you to build a better relationship with a professor (good for a letter of rec) and overall just seems like a better experience.

[Fibonacci_topology]

Has anyone heard back from Clemson or MSRI-UP?

[INeedToBurn]

Has anyone heard back from Clemson or MSRI-UP?

No news from Clemson. I haven't seen anyone online gotten into Clemson yet.

[INeedToBurn]

Has anyone poked MIT SGI? The website says decisions will be released in March, which is very vague

[dynamical]

Thanks for sharing! Do you think we can expect a good if not strong LoR from the mentor in Polymath? I notice there are around 10 or more students in a group so I don't know whether the mentors will have the chance to know students as many of them are also mentoring other REUs (I am sure grad students are able to but they cannot write LoR anyway).

Yes, I got a good letter from my advisor that I'm certain was ultimately a big factor in helping me get a spot at Duluth this year. While each project group has many students, it was often the case that work was actively being done by only a smaller subset of the team. If you are one of these students who actively make the effort to put work in, you will have a good amount of interaction with your advisor - close to if not equal to any other research experience.

Take it from me, I was actually a participant at the Polymath REU!

Good luck!

[kuz]

UVA Number Theory and Representation Theory is done; all offers have been sent out and have been accepted.

[INeedToBurn]

UVA Number Theory and Representation Theory is done; all offers have been sent out and have been accepted.

Thanks for the information. Very useful.

[Jmr324]

Any acceptances for GaTech REU? If so, what prof?

[enthalpty]

Any acceptances for GaTech REU? If so, what prof?

I poked the DGS and he said Prof. Warnke had not sent out any offers yet (if I remember correctly in your previous post you were applying to his group).

[Jmr324]

Any acceptances for GaTech REU? If so, what prof?

I poked the DGS and he said Prof. Warnke had not sent out any offers yet (if I remember correctly in your previous post you were applying to his group).

Yea that is who I applied to. He isn’t leaving those who get accept much time to make their decision lol.