Prestigious summer programs for high school students can significantly boost your college application profile. The reason these programs hold sway is that they broaden student exposure to college-level rigor and academic topics. So, what’s it like to attend the competitive Stanford University Mathematics Camps (SUMaC) summer program? Below, hear from Empowerly’s very own Hanjoon as he recounts his own experience. Empowerly is here to help with your summer roadmap; easy as pi, and way less complicated than the unit circle.
About Hanjoon
Hanjoon K, fellow Stanford University alumni, is a Software Engineer at Empowerly. In fact, he attended the Stanford University Mathematics Camp (SUMaC) summer program for high school students in 2011. Following this, he shares his personal experience with our blog readers below.
We interviewed Hajnoon to help you get a glimpse into the SUMaC life, for all of our applicants and hopefuls out there. To start, the SUMaC summer program is a 4-week intensive study of advanced math hosted on Stanford University’s campus. That means attendees live in dorm housing and eat, dine, and work alongside their peers and mentors. Those mentors, as a matter of fact, are world-class mathematicians supported by dedicated graduate and undergraduate college students.
SUMaC now offers three session options rather than the single 4-week residential program of years past:
- Online Session One: June 15 – July 3, 2026 (3 weeks)
- Online Session Two: July 6 – July 24, 2026 (3 weeks)
- Residential Session: June 21 – July 17, 2026 (4 weeks, on Stanford campus)
Worth noting: this shift to a hybrid format (residential + online) was originally introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and has been maintained ever since due to the demand for access from international and out-of-state students who couldn’t attend in person.
Next up, we bring you a firsthand perspective on how to get into the SUMaC summer program.
Interview
What should I expect out of my time at the Stanford University Math Camp?
“Expect an absolute blast, from the math to the structured events. When I attended in 2011, I enjoyed a trip to Angel Island, another trip to the Exploratorium, a scavenger hunt around Stanford University, plus talent shows! It was my favorite high school summer by a large margin, and I came back with a grander sense of the world. I still keep in touch with some of the people I met that summer, and it’s been great to follow their career success.
SUMaC programming includes lectures, research, and group projects. Students engage in topical math research, historical milestones in mathematical discovery, and explore a survey of relevant applied mathematics. Cartesian coordinate system party!”
this summer’s program dates are June 15 through July 24, 2026, depending on which session you attend. Worth knowing for 2026: tuition for SUMaC costs:
- Online: $3,750 (covers instruction and core materials)
- Residential: $8,950 (includes on-campus dorm housing, meals, field trips, and transportation between Stanford and SFO airport)
Heads up: financial aid is available via the online application for American and international students alike. The financial aid application fee is $60 USD, and fee waivers can be provided if qualifications are met.
What were the most memorable parts of attending the SUMaC summer program?
- “The people.”
- “The introductory simulation of what it’s like to attend college.”
- “Learning cool math every day, like the unit circle.”
“It was my first time attending a full-time summer camp outside of my home state, and the first opportunity to meet brilliant students from all over the world. I honestly had a blast getting to meet the counselors and hanging out with fun, math-loving people every day at SUMaC.
It was also my first time living away from my home for an extended period of time, which gave me a glimpse into how life in college would be. While the camp didn’t give students complete autonomy the way college does, SUMaC summer program staff did plan structured events and give us free time to explore the Stanford University campus.”
Fun fact: did you know that the Stanford University Math camp is the background of a book? A novel, written by award-winning author Justina Chen, tells the story of a girl who goes to SUMaC summer camp and learns about herself!
Who should attend the SUMaC summer program?
“Students who love math and want to learn more about math with a group of equally talented and passionate students should apply. Current 10th- and 11th- grade students are eligible.
SUMaC summer program also allows students to explore interesting math topics that would typically not be covered until theoretical courses in college: number theory, abstract algebra, and algebraic topology. Calling all aspiring mathematicians! Get on this Euclidean plane!”
There’s an important eligibility nuance. Participants who will be 18 years or older during the program are not eligible for SUMaC residential, but participants who will be 18 years old during the program are still eligible for SUMaC online. This makes the online program a great option for students who turn 18 between application submission and program start.
Keep in mind, the SUMaC summer program acceptance rate is quite low and all students would do well to have a backup plan. The unique Empowerly Portal gives you access to Empowerly’s summer program database, where you can explore other similar summer programs as you prepare your applications. Interested? Book a consult to find out how you can enroll with a counselor and begin to access your account!
What does a competitive SUMaC candidate look like?
“A good amount of advanced math coursework helps increase your chances of admission. If a younger student is strategizing toward future application, I’d recommend trying to test out of basic math courses in school if possible in favor of more advanced math coursework. Many of my SUMaC peers (10th- and 11th- graders) had finished Calculus, and some had experience in even more advanced math topics like trigonometry.
A high PSAT score supports your application, too. As with all standardized tests, practice makes perfect. Make sure you take several practice tests before your PSAT test date.
Any additional extracurriculars that demonstrate your passion for math will also help you stand out; whether it’s participation in math competitions or your previous attendance at other math camps, be sure to highlight all evidence of your interest in math activities.
The application also involves a written test, based heavily upon writing proofs.”
A competitive SUMaC applicant should have:
- “A high GPA, including but not limited to high grades in math courses.”
- “High standardized scores, particularly in math portions.”
- “A demonstrable passion for math through extracurriculars like math competitions.”
- “Attendance of prior math camps.”
- “High performance on the SUMaC proof-based entry exam.”
SUMaC has added a video essay component to the application, giving applicants an opportunity to share more about their interest in the program directly. Worth knowing: if you attend a school where the primary language of instruction isn’t English, SUMaC strongly encourages you to complete the video essay.
Want to know more about choosing the right math-based extracurricular activities? Our expert team of counselors knows the drill.
What can I expect from the SUMaC application process?
“The application process comes with an entry test based on writing proofs. Without some experience writing proofs, it would be tough to do well on the test or to keep up with the program’s coursework.
There are two math proficiency levels to SUMaC: Program 1 and Program 2. Students less experienced in advanced math topics should apply to Program 1. A lot of the students in Program 2 are repeat students who previously attended Program 1.”
The SUMaC admissions process now includes the following requirements (updated):
- Unofficial transcripts from each school or academic program where you earned grades from Fall 2023 through Fall 2025
- Teacher recommendation from a math teacher who can speak to your mathematical ability
- Admissions exam — a collection of challenging proof-based problems you’ll work on at home over an extended period before the application deadline
- Personal essays demonstrating your passion for mathematics
- Video essay (optional but encouraged, especially for non-English-instruction schools)
- Parent/legal guardian application submission (required for minors)
Hanjoon’s pro tips for SUMaC summer camp admission
“I recommend students attend other math camps before applying to SUMaC, in middle school and/or the summer before their freshman year- especially if their high school doesn’t offer coursework beyond calculus. Check out camps that cater to younger students, like AwesomeMath.
My other recommendation is for future SUMaC hopefuls to participate in math competitions. Competing can be a big time commitment, but can pay off toward both summer program and college admission while advancing your math skills along the way.
Practice writing proofs before test day, and attempt every problem. Use Khan Academy to browse advanced math like the unit circle and other trigonometry concepts.”
What personal value did you get out of attending SUMaC summer camp?
“I grew as a person, learned some cool math, and met brilliant people. Attending this prestigious summer program also boosted my extracurricular profile in terms of college admission. Although attending summer programs at Stanford University in no way guarantees admission to Stanford University. But participation in selective and prestigious summer programs does make you a more competitive applicant.”
Ta-da! We’ve got Essay Editors!
Preparing an application to SUMaC and other summer programs is actually great practice for college admissions applications… but on a smaller scale. For those wondering how to get into the SUMaC summer program, you’ll definitely need strong essays. Since the SUMaC and Stanford acceptance rates are both extremely low, every component matters.
If you need help with your Stanford University Mathematics camp application, check out Empowerly’s essay editing services. You’ll receive your edits and suggestions within 24 hours. Enroll as an Empowerly student to access the student Portal, giving you access to our Accepted Essay Bank for inspiring examples. Easy as pi, way simpler than the unit circle! We love math puns.
SUMaC Program I vs Program II: Which Should You Apply To?
Now, here’s something most “How to Get Into SUMaC” articles skip over — SUMaC offers two distinct math proficiency tracks. Let’s break them down.
Program I: Abstract Algebra & Number Theory
Worth knowing: Program I is the more accessible entry point at SUMaC, available in both online sessions and the residential program. It covers:
- Abstract Algebra — group theory, ring theory, field theory
- Number Theory — primes, modular arithmetic, congruences, quadratic reciprocity
- Applications — public-key cryptography, error-correcting codes
Heads up: most first-time SUMaC applicants apply to Program I. It’s designed for students who have strong high school math (geometry + algebra mastery) but limited prior exposure to abstract proofs.
Program II: Algebraic Topology
Big news for 2026: Program II is only available online during Session One (June 15 – July 3, 2026) and during the residential program. It’s a significantly more advanced track that builds on Program I material:
- Algebraic Topology — homotopy, homology, cohomology, fundamental groups
- Advanced Proof Techniques — building on the foundation from Program I
- Final Research Projects — students work on independent research presentations
Worth noting: most students accepted to Program II are repeat SUMaC participants who previously attended Program I. Students with extensive independent study in abstract algebra and number theory may also be considered for Program II.
How SUMaC Decides Which Program You Enter
Heads up: you don’t choose your program track when applying. Worth knowing: the SUMaC Admissions Committee places admitted students into either Program I or Program II based on:
- Performance on the admissions exam
- Prior math coursework and competition experience
- Teacher recommendation insights
- Essay responses demonstrating mathematical maturity
The bottom line? Apply with your strongest portfolio. The Admissions Committee will determine the right placement.
SUMaC 2026 Tuition, Financial Aid & Key Deadlines
Here’s the kicker — SUMaC’s costs and financial aid timeline have evolved significantly. Let’s walk through what every applicant should understand for 2026.
2026 Tuition Breakdown
- Online Session (3 weeks): $3,750
- Residential Session (4 weeks): $8,950 (includes housing, meals, transportation to/from SFO)
- Course-specific materials: Up to $50 additional for some online courses (textbooks/readers)
Worth noting for 2026: residential tuition has stepped up from roughly $8,575 in 2025, and online has nudged from $3,580 — a year-over-year jump that reflects rising Stanford housing and dining rates as well as enhanced programming. Over the longer arc, residential tuition has climbed meaningfully from its pre-pandemic baseline, which is consistent with broader cost trends across selective pre-college programs.
2026 Financial Aid Process
Heads up: SUMaC offers need-based financial aid to both U.S. and international students. The application process for the 2026 cycle had these key deadlines:
- Financial aid application deadline: Monday, February 9, 2026
- Financial documents due: Monday, February 16, 2026
- Financial aid application fee: $60 USD (fee waivers available)
- U.S. applicants: Submit through School and Student Services (SSS) with 2024 tax returns
- International applicants: Submit equivalent international financial documentation
Worth knowing: applications for the 2027 SUMaC summer program will likely follow a similar timeline, with financial aid documents due in February 2027 for the summer 2027 cycle.
Application Acceptance Rates
Big news: while Stanford doesn’t release official SUMaC acceptance rates, the program sizes give us insight into selectivity:
- Residential program: 40 students total (extremely competitive)
- Online program: 64 students total
- Total seats: ~168 students worldwide across all three sessions
Worth noting: SUMaC explicitly states they “receive many more qualified applicants for this small program than the space we have available.” Independent admissions consultants peg the effective acceptance rate at approximately 5–7%, putting SUMaC in roughly the same selectivity tier as MIT PRIMES, Ross Mathematics Program, and other elite math summer programs.
SUMaC Application Strategy: The Insider Edge
Big news for 2026: with applications now closed for the summer 2026 cycle, here’s strategic advice for students planning to apply in fall 2026 for the summer 2027 program.
Start Preparing Now (Junior Year)
- Build math competition experience — AMC 10/12, AIME, USAMO if possible
- Take advanced math coursework — at minimum Calculus by junior year; ideally Multivariable Calculus, Linear Algebra, or Discrete Math
- Practice writing proofs — Khan Academy’s Mathematical Reasoning, Art of Problem Solving (AoPS) resources
- Attend other math programs first — AwesomeMath, Ross Math, MathPath (for younger students), MOP, or PROMYS
The Admissions Exam Strategy
Worth knowing: SUMaC’s admissions exam is a take-home proof-based test. Heads up: here’s how strong applicants approach it:
- Attempt every problem — even partial solutions demonstrate mathematical thinking
- Write clearly and rigorously — graders are evaluating proof technique, not just correctness
- Don’t rush — you have an extended window; use it to verify and refine
- Show your reasoning — the process matters as much as the final answer
The Essay and Video Essay Components
- Authentic voice matters — admissions readers want to understand your genuine passion for mathematics
- Specificity wins — mention specific mathematical concepts, problems, or theorems that have captivated you
- Avoid generic “I love math” framing — show, don’t tell
- Video essay — use it to demonstrate enthusiasm and personality that essays can’t fully capture
The takeaway? The strongest SUMaC applications combine rigorous mathematical preparation with authentic passion communicated through every component. Generic essays and weak admissions exams will sink even strong transcripts.
An Empowerly college counselor can help you chart out a dynamic and rigorous summer. Click below to schedule a consult by phone to learn more.
