# HMMT vs PUMaC: Which Program Is Right for You?

Both are student-run math tournaments at universities, and many teams attend both. HMMT picks teams by random lottery and splits the year into a November tournament and a harder February one; PUMaC admits teams of eight on merit and runs one November contest with a proof-based Power Round released in advance. Registration timing and team size usually decide it.

Side-by-side comparison of [Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament (HMMT)](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/harvard-mit-math-tournament-hmmt) and [Princeton University Mathematics Competition (PUMaC)](https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/pumac-princeton-university-mathematics-competition). A blank row is a fact we do not hold — not a zero, and not a no.

## At a glance

| | HMMT | PUMaC |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Cost | Varies — see Cost and funding | $5–$12.5 |
| Application deadline | Applications closed | Dates not announced |
| Grade eligibility | Up to age 20 | Up to age 19 |
| Format | In person | Hybrid |
| Location | Cambridge, MA, United States | Princeton, New Jersey, United States |
| Program dates |  | November 21, 2026 |
| Application destination | hmmt.org | pumac.princeton.edu |
| Organizer | Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament | Princeton University Math Club |

## Harvard-MIT Mathematics Tournament (HMMT)

A tournament organized entirely by students at Harvard, MIT and nearby schools.

Full profile: https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/harvard-mit-math-tournament-hmmt (markdown: https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/harvard-mit-math-tournament-hmmt.md)

## Princeton University Mathematics Competition (PUMaC)

An annual competition run by the Princeton University Math Club, entirely student-run since 2006.

Full profile: https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/pumac-princeton-university-mathematics-competition (markdown: https://extracurricularhub.com/extracurriculars/pumac-princeton-university-mathematics-competition.md)

## Frequently asked questions

### Which is cheaper, HMMT or PUMaC?

HMMT: Varies — see Cost and funding. PUMaC: $5–$12.5. Confirm each figure on the program's official page before budgeting.

### Can I apply to both HMMT and PUMaC?

The application destinations are evaluated independently. HMMT: hmmt.org. PUMaC: pumac.princeton.edu. Review each provider's current instructions before assuming either application is open or compatible with the other.

### Which is better for college applications, HMMT or PUMaC?

We do not rank enrichment programs by admissions value. Use the comparison to assess whether each program's documented constraints fit your situation, and check the details that decide it for you on each program's official page.

### What grades can apply to HMMT and PUMaC?

HMMT: Up to age 20. PUMaC: Up to age 19. Eligibility can change between cycles, so confirm it on each program's official page before applying.

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