Rutgers Young Scholars Program in Discrete Mathematics

# Rutgers Young Scholars Program in Discrete Mathematics Hosted by DIMACS, the Rutgers center for discrete mathematics and theoretical computer science, this four-week residential program gives mathematically talented high school students "a challenging introduction to discrete mathematics" - the branch of math behind networks, algorithms, coding theory, and cryptography, and one that rarely appears in a high school curriculum. In 2026 the program ran July 6 - July 31 as "an in-person residential program" in which students live on campus during the week and return home each weekend. ## What You'll Do - Take daily classes in graph theory, combinatorics, probability, and related discrete topics taught by Rutgers faculty and researchers - Work problem sets and small-group projects with counselors and instructors - Live in Rutgers housing Monday through Friday for four weeks, with meals included from Monday lunch through Friday lunch - Attend research talks that connect classroom topics to active work at DIMACS ## Who Should Apply Mathematically talented high school students who want a proof-oriented, research-adjacent alternative to accelerated calculus. Admission is competitive and applications are "reviewed on a first-come first-served basis until the program is filled," so early submission matters. Scholarships are available for students demonstrating financial need. ## Outcomes Alumni leave with a working command of discrete mathematics, exposure to a top research center in the field, and a strong sense of whether mathematics or theoretical computer science is the right university path - along with faculty who know their work well enough to write about it.