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Stanford University Mathematics CampSUMaC

SUMaC, founded at Stanford in 1995, is an advanced math camp for students in 10th or 11th grade when they apply. Students study abstract algebra and number theory or algebraic topology and complete research projects. In 2026 it served 40 residential and 64 online students, and Stanford says qualified applicants far outnumber places.

Open to international students
Tuition · aid available

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Size and selectivity40 residential, 64 online

Photo: Vitaly Gariev / Pexels

Eligibility: Open to international students
Cost: Tuition · aid available
Latest deadline: Feb 2, 2026

SUMaC at a Glance

Host: Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies (SPCS) at Stanford University, founded in 1995
Field: Advanced mathematics: abstract algebra and number theory, or algebraic topology, offered as two courses, Program I and Program II; lectures, research projects and group problem solving, not for credit or grade
Grades and age: In 10th or 11th grade at the time of application and at least 15 during the program. The residential program accepts only students who will be under 18 during the program; the online program accepts students up to 18
Citizenship and residency: Open to students from around the world; financial aid is available to both domestic and international students.
Cost: Online: $3,750, plus course materials of no more than $100. Residential: $8,950, including housing, meals, weekend field trips and transport to and from San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Application fee $65, with waivers for those who qualify; financial aid application fee $60. Aid is need-based and does not affect admission decisions.
Dates and format: Three sessions in 2026: online Session One, June 15 to July 3, and online Session Two, July 6 to July 24 (three weeks each, three hours of class a day); and a four-week residential session, June 21 to July 17, on the Stanford campus.
Application dates: The 2026 application has closed; the deadline was 11:59 pm Pacific on February 2, 2026, with decisions in mid-April. Financial aid applications were due February 9 and documents February 16. Dates for 2027 have not been announced.
Application materials: Application form, unofficial transcripts from fall 2023 through fall 2025, one recommendation form from a math teacher, an optional video essay, the $65 fee, and the admission exam: a set of challenging proof problems worked at home over an extended period before the deadline. Applicants should have experience reading and writing proofs, and familiarity with number theory and modular arithmetic is suggested.
Size and selectivity: 40 residential and 64 online participants, with an average class size of 16. SUMaC says it receives many more qualified applicants than it has space for, but does not publish the number of applicants or an admission rate.

Verified against official pages on 2026-10-06 · sumac.spcs.stanford.edu

About SUMaC

The Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC), run by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies at Stanford University since 1995, is for students who are in 10th or 11th grade when they apply. Students study abstract algebra and number theory or algebraic topology through lectures, research projects and group problem solving; the courses carry no credit or grades. In 2026 SUMaC offered two three-week online sessions and one four-week residential session on the Stanford campus.

SUMaC says it receives many more qualified applicants than it has space for: in 2026 the residential program served 40 students and the online program 64, and the number of applicants and admission rate are not published. The residential program costs $8,950, the online program $3,750, and the application fee is $65. Need-based aid is available, including for international students. Admission weighs math grades, the teacher recommendation, essays, math activities outside class and the admission exam.

SUMaC began in 1995 with 12 students and now draws students from around the world. At the end of the program, students present their research projects, which can be listed among the activities on a college application.

How to Apply to SUMaC

The admission exam is a take-home set of proof problems that takes sustained effort. Start about a month before the deadline and write a complete proof for each problem.
If the exam problems feel unfamiliar, Stanford suggests first taking the online Number Theory or Discrete Mathematics course in Stanford Pre-Collegiate Summer Institutes, then applying to SUMaC.
The residential program has only 40 places and the online program 64. SUMaC asks applicants to keep these sizes in mind when choosing residential, online, or both.

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SUMaC: Frequently Asked Questions

In which grade can an Irvine high school student apply to SUMaC?

Applicants must be in 10th or 11th grade when they apply and at least 15 during the program. An Irvine student who applies in 10th grade and is not admitted has a second chance in 11th grade. The residential program accepts only students who will be under 18 during the program.

How do SUMaC's residential and online programs differ?

Both have the same academic rigor and content. The residential program runs four weeks for 40 students on the Stanford campus and costs $8,950; each online session runs three weeks, with 64 online students in total, and costs $3,750. The residential program adds in-person social activities and weekend field trips.

Can a student in Irvine on a student visa apply to SUMaC?

Yes. SUMaC welcomes students from around the world, and financial aid is open to international students. A student studying in Irvine on a student visa follows the same process; families who do not file US taxes submit official income and asset documents from their own country when applying for aid.

What is the SUMaC admission exam like?

It is a set of challenging proof problems that applicants work on at home over an extended period before the deadline. Applicants should have experience reading and writing proofs, and familiarity with number theory and modular arithmetic is suggested. Admission also weighs math grades, the teacher recommendation, essays and math activities outside class.

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Sources4 sources · checked 2026-10-06

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