Contact Site Map

Primes Logo PRIMES-USA: How to Apply

This page provides instructions for applying to PRIMES-USA , a nationwide research program for high school juniors and sophomores living in the U.S. outside Greater Boston. To apply to MIT PRIMES , a research program for students living within driving distance from Boston, see How to Apply to MIT PRIMES . To apply to PRIMES Circle , a math enrichment program for local high school students, see How to Apply to PRIMES Circle page. Students residing outside the U.S. (including those attending an online school in the U.S.) are welcome to participate in CrowdMath. For more information about PRIMES-USA, see PRIMES-USA program details page .

Eligibility

High school juniors and sophomores (including home schooled) residing in the United States are eligible, if they live no closer than 50 miles from Boston. Students residing within driving distance from Boston should apply to the MIT section of PRIMES . Students residing outside the U.S. (including those attending an online school in the U.S.) are welcome to participate in CrowdMath.

It is not required but preferable that the applicant meets at least one of these criteria:

Application

Your application process includes four steps:

1. Open your application

Open your application online. Start by filling out your profile and background questions and naming your recommenders. The system will automatically send them requests for letters of recommendation. Do this as early as possible to give them ample time to submit the letters.

2. Ask for letters of recommendation

Ask for two to three letters of recommendation from people who know you well, preferably from those familiar with advanced mathematics, such as math teachers, counselors at math camps, or college professors.

3. Solve the entrance problem set

Solve the PRIMES 2025 Math Problem Set. We encourage you to apply if you solve at least 50% of the problems.

It is strongly recommended to write the solutions using LaTeX.

Please write down not only answers, but also proofs (and partial solutions/results/ideas if you cannot completely solve the problem). Besides the admission process, your solutions will be used to decide which projects would be most suitable for you if you are accepted to PRIMES.

Upload your solutions as a PDF file. The name of the file must start with your last name, for example, "smith-solutions".

You are allowed to use any resources to solve these problems, except other people's help. This means that you can use calculators, computers, books, and the Internet. However, if you consult books or Internet sites, please give us a reference.

WARNING: Posting these problems on problem-solving websites is strictly forbidden. Applicants who do so will be disqualified, and their parents and recommenders will be notified.

In fairness to all applicants, we ask general public not to post these problems, and to notify us of any violation of these rules.

WARNING: AI bots are very likely to “hallucinate” when encountering sophisticated math problems such as the ones on our problem set. If you use them, you might waste a lot of time sorting out wrong “solutions.” If you end up finding a correct solution with the help of AI bots, it would be accepted, but please provide a detailed reference (with prompts), just like you would cite any other source of information on the Internet or in a book. Note that an important purpose of the problem set is to give you a chance to show your ability to think originally and creatively – something that’s essential for future research.

4. Complete your application

Fill out all remaining parts of the application and add a personal statement. In a free-format statement (1-2 pages), discuss some of your most memorable/enjoyable math experiences. What type of problems do you like to work on? Explain why you want to participate in PRIMES, what makes you a good candidate, and what are your plans for the future. Feel free to provide any additional information you think might help us get to know you better as a young mathematician.

In your personal statement, we would like to see some stories that reveal your interest in and personal connection with mathematics. We care about the substance of the essay, not the style. We do not recommend using AI tools to write a personal statement, because such tools can provide only generic statements that do not sound personal and lack sincerity.

Make sure to submit your application well ahead of the deadline to avoid any last-minute technical glitches.

Deadlines

The deadline for applications and letters of recommendation is 11:59 pm EST on November 18, 2024.

The admission decision will be based on the consideration of all components of your application. The admissions process might include an interview. Admission decisions will be made by early January 2024.

If you are admitted, you will be asked to provide a written permission from your parent/guardian to participate in PRIMES-USA.

There is no application fee.

Preparation

We suggest a list of recommended readings as a preparation for entering PRIMES-USA and as a background for further research. You may find it useful to consult previous years' problem sets and solutions.

Why It Makes No Sense to Cheat

PRIMES expects its participants to adhere to MIT rules and standards for honesty and integrity in academic studies. As a result, any cases of plagiarism, unauthorized collaboration, cheating, or facilitating academic dishonesty during the application process or during the work at PRIMES may result in immediate disqualification from the program, at the sole discretion of PRIMES. In addition, PRIMES reserves the right to notify a participant's parents, schools, and/or recommenders in the event it determines that a participant did not adhere to these expectations. For explanation of these expectations, see What is Academic Integrity?

Moreover, even if someone gets into PRIMES by cheating, it would immediately become apparent that their background is weaker than expected, and they are not ready for research. This would prompt an additional investigation with serious consequences. By trying to get into PRIMES by cheating, students run very serious risks of exposing their weak background and damaging their college admissions prospects.

Contact

With questions, contact PRIMES Program Director Slava Gerovitch at