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Primes Logo PRIMES-USA: How to Apply

Apply to PRIMES-USA

PRIMES-USA application is now open! The deadline is December 1, 2025

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. Local students (living within driving distance from Boston) and non-local students apply through the same online portal. Local students will be meeting with their mentors in person; non-local will communicate via teleconferencing.
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

The admissions process includes several steps:

1. Open your application

Open your application and fill out a questionnaire online with basic personal information. Indicate your research interests in order of preference.

2. Name 2-3 recommenders

Enter contact information for two or three people who know you well, preferably from those familiar with advanced mathematics, such as math teachers, counselors at math camps, or college professors. 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. Letters of recommendation may be received up to 5 days after the general deadline.

3. Submit a personal statement

In a free-format statement (up to 2 pages), discuss some of your most memorable/enjoyable math experiences. What type of problems do you like to work on? Explain why do 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.

4. List the math books you have read and the math courses your have taken

Please note that you may be asked questions about the content of these books and courses during an interview.

5. List your other math experiences (math camps, competitions) and computing skills

6. Submit your solutions to the entrance problem set

Solve the PRIMES 2026 Math Problem Set (updated on 10/21). We encourage you to apply if you solve at least 70% 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". Your name or other identifying information should not appear anywhere in the file, except the name of the file.

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 models 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, it will be accepted under the following conditions:
(1) you explain which model you used (with prompts), just like you would cite any other source of information on the Internet or in a book;
(2) you completely rewrite the solution in your own style, not simply copy-paste it.
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.

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

7. Online interview

Applicants on the short list will be invited to an online interview. During the interview, you may be asked questions about your solutions and the theoretical material in the reading portion of the problem set. You may also be asked questions about the content of the math books you have read and the math courses your have taken. Invitations to interview could be sent at different times.

Deadlines

The deadline for applications and letters of recommendation is 11:59 pm EST on December 1, 2025.

Admission decisions will be based on the consideration of all components of the application and the interviews. We cannot provide updates on the status of individual applications until all admissions decisions are made. Admission decisions will be made by early January 2026 and announced to all applicants at the same time.

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

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