SigmaCamp 2020: How To Apply
To apply to Sigma 2020, you have to complete the 4 steps of the application process listed below. The application deadline is April 15, 2020 May 15, 2020.
Step 1. Fill out the online registration form.
Either the applicant or a parent or guardian may fill out this form. Filling this form generates an ID number for you - you will need it to submit your solutions of the Qualification Quiz and other materials. It also creates an account, with username and password, which you can later use to check the status of your application. This step is required for everyone, including PoM winners and people who had applied in previous years.
Important: Do this as soon as you know you are interested in attending SigmaCamp2020, not when you are about to submit your Qualification Quiz solutions. Registering puts you on an email list and allows us to communicate with you if there are important announcements concerning the application or logistics.
Step 2. Tell us why you want to go to SigmaCamp and help us make SigmaCamp better.
This year, we ask you to include 2 topics in your essay (all applicants, new and returning, are required to submit it):
- About yourself: What do you like? What are your interests? Why do you want to come to SigmaCamp and what are you hoping to find there? This part is very important for us and especially for our counselors who get to know campers weeks in advance.
- About science: Please take a look at lectures and semilabs we had at Sigma last year. Do you think that we missed something interesting? In your essay please propose a new semilab or workshop that you think would be a good addition to Sigma's academic program. Why do you thinк this semilab or workshop should be interesting and beneficial for SigmaCampers? To you?
Step 3. Obtain and submit recommendation letters.
If you are a returning student, you are not required to submit letters of recommendation – we already know who you are!
For new students: Obtain two letters of recommendation – one from a Mathematics or Science teacher and one from an adult who knows you personally (not a family member). This may be a family friend, a music teacher, an athletics coach, a chess coach, etc.
Print out the recommender's instructions below, fill your name and ID number, and give (or email) them to the people you are asking for the recommendation. They can return the letters to you in a sealed envelope, send their recommendation by email to info@sigmacamp.org, or submit their recommendation online here
Instructions for recommenders:
Submit recommendation letters here
Make sure to ask your recommender for a letter well in advance of the deadline!
Step 4. Complete and submit the Qualification Quiz.
Sigma Qualification Quiz 2020 consists of problems in Math, Physics, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, and Linguistics (new this year) - two problems in each discipline. All students applying to SC 2020 must try to solve it and submit their solutions (except for winners of the Problem of the Month contest as described here. - they have been notified by email). You are not expected to solve all the problems - but try to do as many as you can! Please click on the link below to read the detailed description and instructions and to download the Qualification Quiz.
Submit your solution of QQ 2020
New this year: if you participated in POM but were not among the winners, 30% of your POM score will be added to your Qualification Quiz score.
Application status lookup
To check the status of your application, please login to your account using the password created during registration, and click on ``My Profile'' in the menu on the left.
The deadline for the application is April 15 May 15, 2020. We will notify applicants regarding decisions no later than May 1 June 1.
If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to e-mail us at
Technical questions about accounts, passwords, and upload difficulties should be addressed to webmaster@sigmacamp.org.
We wish you good luck on your application!