Policy on Getting Help on Written Responses

Throughout your Mathcamp application, and in particular in the Math Background and About You sections, you'll have an opportunity to introduce yourself to the admissions committee through your writing. Here is our policy about asking for help on the written responses in your application. (Read about getting help on the Qualifying Quiz here.)

Most questions in the Math Background and About You sections ask for simple lists, but a few questions ask for a brief narrative. As with our QQ policy, our policy for written responses treats all external resources in the same way and consists of two simple principles.

1. You cannot get external resources to write any of your responses for you.

“External resources” includes everything: other people, paid or free services, AI tools. Seriously, write in your own voice! There are no "right answers" to any of these questions. We aren't interested in how polished an answer is or how much it sounds like a college essay. We definitely don't want the generic answers of an AI. In fact, if you use AI as a substitute for your own voice your responses will be... bland. Even if you say "make it funny." The inauthentic earnestness and faux-enthusiasm your readers will be subjected to will cause them to be lying unconscious on the floor. We want to stay conscious and we want to get to know YOU.

So, don't do these:

  • Copy and paste directly from any AI generator
  • Use AI tools to create an outline or a draft
  • Use tools like Google Translate to render text written in another language into English (which hinders our understanding of your current English proficiency)

And remember, we are looking for brief responses that sound like you, NOT elaborate responses with lots of extra words that sound fancy and polished. Really. Believe us.

2. You can use external resources for discussions, brainstorming, and feedback.

From the beginning of the drafting process, it can be really helpful to have a sounding board to bounce around your ideas; you are welcome to discuss your thoughts with a trusted friend or mentor. Similarly, once you have a draft, you are welcome to ask a friend, teacher, or other mentor to proofread it and give you feedback. What's important to us is that the ultimate ideas and the writing be your own.

Here's what you can do:

  • Use another person to help you recall things you did (perhaps with them)
  • Use another person or an interactive LLM to generate questions or to help you organize your own thoughts
  • Use AI tools, like Grammarly or Microsoft Editor, to check the grammar and spelling in your draft

As always, don't hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.

An important note for English Language Learners: we do not require a TOEFL or other language exam, but we use your writing throughout the Mathcamp application to get a sense of your proficiency. You should only apply to Mathcamp if you are very comfortable expressing yourself in English in mathematical and social contexts (and doing so all day, every day!). Like all applicants, you are welcome to use spell check and grammar check tools, but your writing should reflect your current level of English proficiency.