Hampshire College Summer Studies in MathematicsHCSSiM

HCSSiM at a Glance

Host

HCSSiM, a legally separate entity from Hampshire College; the 54th session in 2026 was held at Hampshire College in Amherst, Massachusetts, and the program moves to a new campus in 2027

Field

Mathematics: doing mathematics rather than only learning results, with four hours of class every morning Monday to Saturday and evening problem sessions

Grades and age

Most students attend after 10th or 11th grade; recent sessions have also included students who just finished 9th grade and have taken advanced math. Students who have already graduated from high school should not apply

Citizenship and residency

Open to all nationalities. The FAQ says international students are welcome to apply, a few attend every summer, and they are eligible for financial aid.

Cost

Tuition of $7,208 in 2026, covering six weeks of room and board, recreation and transport to and from local bus, train and airport services, but not travel to and from the program. The program is free, with travel grants, for US families with household incomes under $85,000; aid for higher-income families and international students is decided case by case. Applying is free, and finances do not affect admission.

Dates and format

Six weeks in residence. The 2026 session ran June 28 to August 8 on the Hampshire College campus; the program moves to a new campus in 2027, with details expected in late 2026.

Application dates

There is no official deadline, and decisions are made on a rolling basis. Because of the volume of applications, no new 2026 applications were accepted after 11:59 pm Eastern on April 17, 2026, and the Interesting Test was due by April 25. Dates for 2027 have not been announced.

Application materials

An application form that includes a Friendly Letter about why you want to attend, with an affirmation that no AI was used, plus the name of a sponsor who knows your math and will write a recommendation. After applying, you receive the Interesting Test, which you complete, scan and return.

Size and selectivity

The FAQ says about 51 students are expected in 2026, and recent summers have been about 51% girls and non-binary students. The number of applicants and the admission rate are not published; the program says only that it receives too many strong applications.

Verified against official pages on 2026-10-06 · hcssim.org

How to Apply to HCSSiM

• HCSSiM admits on a rolling basis, and it stopped taking new 2026 applications in mid-April. Submit the application form before the Interesting Test goes out in March.
• The Friendly Letter must be written by the student, with an affirmation that no AI was used. Be specific about why spending eight hours a day on math all summer appeals to you.
• The program moves to a new campus in 2027, with the location expected in late 2026. Check the dates and travel arrangements once the website announces them.