Math Center for Educational Programs

It's down to the wire but we still have a handful of slots open for the UMTYMP entrance exam on April 15th and April 18th. Act fast, seats are selling out quick! Learn more about the program and register at z.umn.edu/UMTYMP

The University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program has been one of the nation’s only accelerated mathematics programs for middle and high school students for the past 40 years. We are proud to offer this opportunity to your students. This five year program allows students to complete not only their high school math requirements, but their undergraduate math requirements too!

UMTYMP Entrance Exams are still open for round two registration! If your excellent math student is looking for a new challenge, UMTYMP is the place to be. It's not too late to take or entrance exam this year.

Our final round of entrance exams takes place over the next few weeks with tests on April 11th, April 15th, and April 18th on our Twin Cities campus. Rochester exams are April 11th. Learn more and register at z.umn.edu/umtymp!

As we make our way through the last (hopefully!) cold days of spring, we can't help but look forward to the summer! This summer, Girls Excel in Math Camp is back for 2026!

This summer camp will run August 4th through 6th and will girls interested in STEM! The camp is open to students completing grades 4 through 6. Check out GEM camp and all of our summer programming at z.umn.edu/mathcepsummer

Student Spotlight: Kadin Truong

Kadin is a second year student in the University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program and one of the recipients of the prestigious Callaghan-Lynch Scholarship!

Get the real college experience with UMYMP! Middle and high school students can take accelerated math at the University of Minnesota, finishing the high school curriculum early and earning college math credits. Registration for the April entrance exams are currently open. Learn more and register at z.umn.edu/UMTYMP!

Student Spotlight: Zahra Hamza

Zahra is a second year student in the University of Minnesota Talented Youth Mathematics Program and one of the recipients of the prestigious Callaghan-Lynch Scholarship! Zahra is a freshman at Lakeville North High School currently taking AP Precalculus in addition to UMTYMP courses. While Zahra is well rounded in many subjects, she loves math the most. “It feels like a language of symbols and numbers that explains physical phenomena and the wonders of our world in a clear and meaningful way.”

In UMTYMP, students explore mathematics in greater depth than most middle and high school courses. UMTYMP students have a love of math and a desire to explore. Zahra enjoys the unique problem sets created by UMTYMP instructors. “They provide a level of depth and understanding that I have not found in any other textbooks, even those at higher levels. [...] The problem sets have given me a distinct problem-solving skill set that stands out compared to my peers, and I can confidently say that this growth is a direct result of my time in the program.”

Zahra enjoys finding novel solutions to difficult problems. “One of my favorite moments in UMTYMP was when we worked on a problem that could be approached with two different diagrams. The more intuitive diagram was the one I found to be unsolvable, and my classmates joked that the only problems I couldn’t solve were the impossible ones. The correct solution came from the alternative diagram, and the whole experience reminded me that the more you learn, the more you realize how much there is still to discover.”

UMTYMP students strive to expand their mathematical knowledge outside of what is normally offered in school. After UMTYMP, Zahra’s wants to continue tackling complex challenges. Zahra aims to make positive contributions to the medical field. “Mathematics has already contributed to major breakthroughs in medicine. I hope to play a role in continuing that progress.”

Only a couple weeks until the first UMTYMP Entrance Exam! If you are a student who loves math and wants to collaborate and work hard with like-minded students, this is the program for you. Our round one testing dates are coming up quick but it's not too late! Learn more and register at z.umn.edu/UMTYMP

Twin Cities - February 14th and 21st

Rochester - February 14th

Duluth - February 8th

Crookston - February 18th

Morris - February 11th

Happy Holidays from MathCEP to you! Our favorite friend, the platypus, is here to spread you cheer courtesy of Dr. Cihak! We hope your holiday season is full of all of YOUR favorite things. ❄

Meet Dr. Dougherty! Shelley Dougherty is the Assistant Director of the Math Center for Educational Programs and teaches Calculus I, II, and III in UMTYMP. She loves teaching the small topology segments in Calculus III. "Topology is so mind-blowing the first time you encounter it!"

Dr. Dougherty's favorite part of UMTYMP is watching students grow in mathematical maturity over the years. "There are some students I've known since 5th grade when they participated in summer camps, math competitions, or Saturday Morning Math and now they're taking college courses! I feel so proud and privileged to observe how much my students have learned as they grow."

Fun fact: Dr. Dougherty has a one-eyed black cat named Luffy! 🐈‍⬛