Program in Mathematics for Young ScientistsPROMYS

PROMYS at a Glance

Host

Department of Mathematics, Boston University, founded in 1989; held on the Boston University campus

Field

Mathematics: morning lectures and daily problem sets centered on number theory, plus advanced seminars, mini-courses and research projects

Grades and age

By the first day of the program, students must meet all three conditions: be 14 to 18 years old, have completed 9th grade, and not be enrolled full time at a college; there is no flexibility on these requirements. Most students attend after 10th or 11th grade; students may also come the summer after 12th grade or in a gap year, but must not turn 19 before the program starts

Citizenship and residency

International students are accepted, and students or counselors have come from nearly 50 countries over the years; no TOEFL is required, but students must be able to take full part in English. Students who ordinarily reside in Europe may apply to PROMYS Europe instead, and only one PROMYS program may be applied to in a given year. Students in China who need financial help to attend can apply for a Yongren Fellowship.

Cost

Up to $8,000 in 2026 for the six-week residential program, depending on financial aid; the actual cost per student is over $10,000, with the difference covered by donors. The program is free for US families with adjusted gross income (AGI) under $80,000; the official estimate is about $4,000 for $80,001 to $130,000 and about $6,000 for $130,001 to $180,000. Aid for international students is decided case by case, and every applicant is automatically considered for one full Breakout Fellowship each year.

Dates and format

Six weeks in residence in Boston University dorms; commuting, late arrival and early departure are not allowed. The 2027 session runs June 27 to August 7.

Application dates

The 2027 application is expected to open in January, with a tentative deadline at the end of February 2027 and decisions at the end of April (both to be confirmed). The 2026 deadline was 11:59 pm Eastern on February 27, 2026, with teacher recommendations due March 3 and financial aid forms due March 15.

Application materials

Four parts: solutions to the application problem set (one PDF), one recommendation from a math teacher or coach, a high school transcript (unofficial is fine), and an application form with short answers, including summaries of the problem set solutions. AI tools and internet answers are strictly prohibited, and PROMYS may interview applicants to confirm their work.

Size and selectivity

About 80 high school students attend each year, roughly 60 first-year and 20 returning students, alongside 25 undergraduate counselors. The FAQ says the acceptance rate varies by year and admission is competitive, but no figure is published.

Verified against official pages on 2026-10-06 · promys.org/programs/promys/for-students

How to Apply to PROMYS

• The problem set is the most important part of the application, and you do not need to solve every problem. Give yourself several weeks and keep your scratch work, since PROMYS may interview applicants about their solutions.
• Teacher recommendations are due a few days after the application, but an application is not reviewed until the recommendation arrives. Send the recommendation request from the portal before submitting your own application.
• The FAQ notes that some successful PROMYS participants were not admitted the first time they applied. Students who are still age-eligible can apply again the next year.