Updated October 2026
TL;DR
Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) is designed for high school students who want to study math beyond what they learn in school. You’ll explore topics such as abstract algebra, number theory, and algebraic topology, solve challenging problems, and learn how to write mathematical proofs. The program also includes a guided research project. You can attend online or in person, and need-based financial aid is available. Applications for the latest cycle are closed, and dates for the next cycle have not been announced. If you want to work on a research project with a mentor, you can also explore the Horizon Academic Research Program.
If you enjoy math and want to understand the ideas behind your normal classroom, the Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) could be a good fit. Run by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies, the program introduces high school students to university-level mathematics through lectures, problem sets, group discussions, and guided research. You can study online or spend four weeks living and learning on Stanford’s campus. This guide covers the curriculum, eligibility requirements, application process, tuition, and what former participants have shared about the experience. You can compare SUMaC with other options in our guide to math programs for high school students.
What is Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC)?
Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) is a summer enrichment program run by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies. It welcomes high school students from around the world for intensive study in advanced mathematics. The program has been running since 1995 and focuses on topics that go beyond the usual high school curriculum.
SUMaC offers two courses, and you can indicate your preference when applying:
- Program I: Abstract Algebra and Number Theory. You explore mathematical structures, properties of integers, symmetry, and ideas that connect to areas such as cryptography and error-correcting codes.
- Program II: Algebraic Topology. You learn how algebraic methods can help mathematicians study shapes and their properties.
Both courses include lectures, problem-solving sessions, and guided research. You’ll work with mathematical ideas, discuss possible approaches with others, and present a final research project.
SUMaC is a non-credit enrichment program, so you won’t receive a Stanford course grade or college credit for completing it. For more details, visit the official SUMaC website.
What do you study during SUMaC?
The course you take shapes your experience, so it’s worth understanding the two tracks before applying.
Program I: Abstract Algebra and Number Theory
Program I introduces you to mathematical structures and the properties of integers. You’ll explore ideas such as symmetry, modular arithmetic, and the mathematical principles behind cryptography and error-correcting codes. A large part of the work involves constructing proofs. You’ll need to explain why a statement holds, follow a logical argument, and work through problems that may take time to understand.
Program II: Algebraic Topology
Program II focuses on algebraic topology, a field that uses algebra to study topological spaces and their properties. You’ll encounter abstract mathematical ideas and learn how different concepts connect. Stanford recommends that applicants have substantial experience with mathematical proofs and a strong interest in higher mathematics. Previous exposure to group theory can be useful, though the program does not list it as a strict requirement.
Program II is generally a better fit if you have already explored advanced mathematics and feel comfortable learning new concepts quickly.
What does a typical day look like?
The schedule depends on whether you attend online or in person. Both formats include live instruction, problem-solving sessions, and time for research.
Online students attend live classes and work with instructional assistants in scheduled sessions. They should expect around three hours of live class each day, along with additional academic work on weekdays. The program requires active participation, including using a webcam during live sessions.
Residential students attend classes on Stanford’s campus, work through problem sets with instructional assistants, and have time for their research projects. The schedule also includes guest lectures, organised activities, and weekend trips around the San Francisco Bay Area.
Stanford describes the academic workload as comparable to a college course. You should be ready to spend several hours working through assignments outside class and to participate fully in the scheduled activities.
Who can apply to SUMaC?
The most recently published admissions requirements are for students in grades 10 and 11 at the time they apply. You must also be at least 15 years old during the program.
There are additional age restrictions for the two formats:
- Online: Students who will be 18 or younger during the program may apply, provided they meet the other requirements.
- Residential: Students who will be 18 or older during the program are not eligible for the residential option.
Stanford expects applicants to have a strong understanding of high school algebra and geometry, along with experience reading and writing mathematical proofs. Familiarity with number theory and modular arithmetic is recommended.
For Program II, the admissions team looks for greater experience with proofs and a strong interest in higher mathematics. Applicants are considered for the course that best fits their preparation and stated preferences.
Check the official admissions page before applying, since the eligibility requirements for the upcoming cycle have not yet been announced.
SUMaC dates, costs, and eligibility requirements
The table below summarises the details you’re most likely to need when deciding whether to apply. Information for the upcoming cycle is marked TBA where it has not been announced; previous-cycle details are included in parentheses for reference.
| Detail | Current information |
| Location | TBA for the upcoming cycle (most recent options: online or residential at Stanford University, Stanford, California) |
| Cost | Tuition: $3,750 online; $8,950 residential |
| Acceptance rate/cohort size | Official acceptance rate not published (most recent cohort: 64 online and 40 residential places) |
| Program dates | TBA (most recent online sessions: June 15–July 3 and July 6–24; residential: June 21–July 17) |
| Application deadline | Typically early February |
| Eligibility | Grades 10–11 at application and at least 15 years old during the program; residential applicants must be under 18 during the program) |
| Program tracks | TBA for the upcoming cycle (most recently offered: Abstract Algebra and Number Theory; Algebraic Topology) |
| Financial aid | TBA for the upcoming cycle (need-based financial aid was available in the most recent cycle) |
The most recent published deadline was February 2, 2026, and applications for that cycle are now closed. The next deadline, program dates, and tuition have not yet been announced. Check the official SUMaC admissions page and tuition and financial aid page for updates.
What is the SUMaC acceptance rate?
Stanford describes admissions as competitive and says it receives more qualified applicants than it has places available.
The most recently published program information lists 64 places for online students and 40 for residential students. These numbers show that the program has limited capacity, but they don’t tell you what percentage of applicants are admitted because Stanford does not publish the total number of applicants.
The official admissions page explains the factors the team considers when reviewing applications:
- Your grades in mathematics courses.
- Your mathematics teacher’s recommendation.
- Your interest in mathematics, as shown in your essays and other application materials.
- Your involvement with mathematics inside and outside school.
- Your performance on the SUMaC admissions exam.
The committee also considers your preferred course and whether your preparation matches its requirements. Meeting the eligibility criteria is important, but it does not guarantee admission.
How do you apply to SUMaC?
The application includes your academic records, a mathematics teacher recommendation, and written work that helps the admissions team assess how you approach mathematical problems. The most recently published instructions also included an optional video essay and an application fee.
Here’s what you should prepare.
1. Complete the online application
Create an application account using your legal name and fill in the required information. If you are under 18, a parent or legal guardian must take part in the application process as required by Stanford Pre-Collegiate Studies.
You’ll be asked to rank your preference for Program I or Program II. The admissions committee makes the final placement based on your preference, preparation, and suitability for the course.
2. Submit your academic records
Stanford asks for recent grade reports and transcripts from the specified school years. These records help the admissions team assess your preparation for advanced mathematics.
Check the instructions for the upcoming cycle to confirm the reporting period and document requirements. Homeschooled applicants should follow the separate transcript guidance on the official application page.
3. Request a recommendation from a mathematics teacher
You need an online recommendation from a mathematics teacher. Choose someone who can give specific examples of your mathematical ability, curiosity, persistence, and approach to challenging work.
Ask well before the deadline so your teacher has enough time to complete the form.
4. Complete the admissions exam
The SUMaC admissions exam includes challenging proof-based mathematics problems that you work on at home over an extended period. The exam helps the team understand how you reason through unfamiliar problems and explain your thinking.
Practise writing clear mathematical arguments before you begin. Make sure each step follows logically from the previous one and that you can explain why your conclusion is valid.
5. Decide whether to submit the optional video essay
The most recently published instructions included an optional video essay. It gives you another opportunity to explain your interest in mathematics and the program. Stanford encourages applicants whose primary language of instruction at school is not English to consider completing it.
6. Pay the application fee or check for a waiver
The most recently published application fee was $65. Need-based application fee waivers may be available to eligible applicants. Check the upcoming application instructions for the current fee and waiver process.
For the latest requirements, use the official SUMaC admissions page.
How can you strengthen your SUMaC application?
Start with the mathematics you already know and work on explaining your reasoning clearly. SUMaC is designed for students who enjoy mathematical ideas and are ready to spend time working through difficult problems.
A few practical ways to prepare:
- Practise writing proofs. Work on explaining why a statement is true, including the steps that connect your assumptions to your conclusion.
- Review algebra and geometry. Stanford expects strong foundations in both subjects.
- Explore number theory and modular arithmetic. Familiarity with these topics is recommended, especially for students interested in Program I.
- Try problems that take time to solve. Work through different approaches, identify patterns, and revise your reasoning when an idea doesn’t work.
- Choose your mathematics teacher recommender thoughtfully. Ask someone who knows your work well and can give specific examples of your strengths.
- Write honestly about your interest in mathematics. Explain what you enjoy exploring, what you have learned independently, or which mathematical questions have caught your attention.
- Give yourself enough time to complete the application. Your recommender and academic records may take time to arrange, so check the requirements early.
These steps can help you prepare a stronger, more complete application, but they cannot guarantee admission. You can also explore other math research programs for high school students if you want to compare different ways to study mathematics.
What skills can you develop at SUMaC?
The skills you build will depend on your course, your research project, and how you approach the work. The program gives you opportunities to practise several aspects of advanced mathematics.
Proof writing and logical reasoning
You’ll learn to build mathematical arguments, identify assumptions, and explain why a result follows. This takes practice, especially if most of your previous math classes focused on calculations and formulas.
Abstract thinking
Abstract algebra, number theory, and algebraic topology introduce ideas that can be difficult to picture at first. Working with definitions and mathematical structures helps you recognise relationships and understand how general principles apply to different problems.
Problem-solving and persistence
Some questions require you to test several ideas before finding a useful approach. You’ll practise recognising patterns, checking whether your reasoning holds up, and returning to a problem with a different perspective.
Research and independent exploration
The guided research component gives you time to investigate a mathematical question and develop a final project. You’ll work with ideas beyond the regular problem sets and present your findings at the end of the program.
Communication and collaboration
Problem-solving sessions give you opportunities to explain your reasoning, discuss approaches, and learn from other students. You’ll also practise identifying gaps in an argument and responding to questions about your work.
What do former SUMaC participants say about the experience?
The official SUMaC website features testimonials from former participants about their time in the program.
One student describes learning group theory and seeing how it applies to the Rubik’s Cube. They also mention improving their proof-writing skills.
Another participant talks about making friends, working through problem sets together, and discussing mathematical proofs with classmates, teaching assistants, and instructors. A third highlights learning topics beyond high school and competition math and developing a different approach to solving problems.
These accounts give you an idea of what studying at SUMaC can be like, from learning advanced mathematics to working with other students. They reflect individual experiences, however, and your own experience will depend on your course, interests, and participation.
How do the online and residential formats compare?
SUMaC’s online and residential options cover the same level of academic content and have the same academic rigor. The main differences are the length of the program, tuition, and how you take part in classes and activities.
| Feature | Online format | Residential format |
| Duration | Three weeks | Four weeks |
| Cohort size | 64 places in the most recent cycle | 40 places in the most recent cycle |
| Tuition | $3,750 | $8,950 |
| Classes and problem-solving | Live online instruction, daily problem-solving sessions, guest lectures, and research time | In-person classes, daily problem-set sessions, guest lectures, and research time |
| Research presentation | Final projects presented online over one day in the most recent cycle | Final projects presented over two days in the most recent cycle |
| Housing and meals | Not applicable | Included in the most recently published residential tuition |
| Travel and equipment | You need a suitable computer, webcam, microphone, and reliable internet connection | Airfare and personal expenses are not included in the most recently published tuition |
| Best fit | You want to attend from home and can commit to the scheduled live sessions | You want to live on campus and take part in the residential community |
If you choose the online option, make sure the live class times work with your schedule. Stanford requires active participation and expects students to have a reliable internet connection and suitable computer equipment.
For the residential option, tuition covers supervised housing, meals, instruction, course materials, and scheduled academic field trips. Airfare and personal expenses are additional costs. Need-based financial aid is, so check the official tuition and financial aid page for current information when applications reopen.
What other mathematics programs can you consider?
SUMaC is worth considering if you want to study advanced mathematics in a structured summer program. Your interests, academic preparation, budget, and preferred format will help you decide whether it is the right choice.
These guides can help you compare other options:
- Math camps for high school students if you want to compare intensive summer experiences.
- Math pre-college summer programs if you want to explore more university-level courses.
- Math research programs for high school students if you want to focus on mathematical investigation.
- Online math research programs for high school students if you need a remote option.
- Summer math programs for high school students if you want to compare more summer courses.
- Research programs for high school students if you’re interested in other academic subjects.
- Online research programs for high school students around the world if location is an important factor.
If you want to spend more time developing your own research question with a mentor, you can also explore the Horizon Academic Research Program.
What do students often ask about SUMaC?
Yes. Stanford expects applicants to have experience reading and writing mathematical proofs, along with strong foundations in high school algebra and geometry. Familiarity with number theory and modular arithmetic is recommended.
No. SUMaC is a non-credit enrichment program. You study advanced mathematics, work through challenging problems, and complete a guided research project, but you do not receive a Stanford course grade or college credit.
No official acceptance rate was found in the admissions information reviewed for this guide. Stanford lists 64 online places and 40 residential places in the most recent cycle, but the total number of applicants is not published. You can review the official admissions information for the selection criteria.
The Horizon Academic Research Program offers online research experiences for high school students. You can review the available subjects, mentorship formats, costs, and eligibility requirements to see whether one fits your interests.
Image source: Horizon Academic Research Program