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UG math competition useful?

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 12:48 pm
by kkky
I wonder whether good result on ug math competition, such as IMC, Putnam( though I am not eligible to participate) is useful when applying graduate school.

Re: UG math competition useful?

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 1:56 pm
by djysyed
It certainly helps but doesn't indicate your potential success as a researcher. However, it shows that you are quite good at learning things quickly.

Re: UG math competition useful?

Posted: Wed Mar 14, 2018 3:25 pm
by MathCat
I doubt it makes much of a difference, but it definitely doesn't hurt. It's one more way you can distinguish yourself from others.

Re: UG math competition useful?

Posted: Thu Mar 15, 2018 9:55 pm
by map
Unless you get Putnam Fellow I don't think it would really help much at all. You certainly don't need to do well in competitions to get into a top grad school.