MATHILY and MATHILY-Er guide | RISE Research

TL;DR

MATHILY and MATHILY-Er are selective residential mathematics enrichment programs for high school students who want to go beyond standard coursework. MATHILY targets experienced math competitors; MATHILY-Er is designed for students earlier in their mathematical development. Both programs are highly competitive and run for several weeks. Students who want a verifiable research outcome alongside their mathematics preparation should also consider RISE Research, where our deadline is closing soon.

Introduction

This MATHILY and MATHILY-Er guide covers everything high school students and parents need to know about two of the most rigorous mathematics enrichment programs available. MATHILY was founded by mathematicians committed to collaborative, inquiry-based learning, and it has built a strong reputation among students who go on to top mathematics programs at universities across the United States and beyond.

The challenge most students face is this: they discover MATHILY late, do not fully understand what makes an application competitive, or need a strong alternative if they are not accepted. Selective mathematics programs have limited spots, and the application process rewards students who can demonstrate genuine mathematical curiosity, not just high scores.

RISE Research is the program that produces a published research paper regardless of which mathematics enrichment programs a student attends. Students who combine deep mathematical preparation with peer-reviewed research arrive at university applications with two distinct and verifiable achievements. If you are a high school student serious about mathematics and academic distinction, this guide will help you plan your path.

What is MATHILY and MATHILY-Er, and who are they for?

MATHILY is a selective residential mathematics program for high school students who have strong competition experience. MATHILY-Er is the companion program for students who are earlier in their mathematical journey but show strong potential. Both programs are run by the same team and share a philosophy of collaborative, deep mathematical inquiry rather than lecture-based instruction.

MATHILY is designed for high school students who have already engaged seriously with mathematics competitions such as AMC 10, AMC 12, or AIME. The program targets students who want to go significantly beyond standard high school mathematics and engage with topics not typically taught in school, including combinatorics, number theory, graph theory, and mathematical proof techniques.

MATHILY-Er targets students who are earlier in their competition journey, typically those who have taken the AMC 8 or AMC 10 and show strong mathematical curiosity but have not yet reached the advanced competition level required for MATHILY. It provides a structured environment for accelerated mathematical development.

Both programs are residential and run for several weeks. They are based in the United States and accept a small cohort of students each cycle. The official website for both programs is mathily.org.

How does MATHILY work?

MATHILY and MATHILY-Er use an inquiry-based model where students work collaboratively on mathematical problems rather than receiving lectures. Students spend the majority of each day working through problem sets, exploring open-ended mathematical questions, and developing proof-writing skills under the guidance of experienced instructors.

The curriculum covers areas of mathematics that are rarely taught in high school. Topics include combinatorics, number theory, abstract algebra, topology, and logic. Instructors are mathematicians, many of whom hold doctoral degrees or are active researchers. The program is not designed to drill competition problems; it is designed to develop mathematical maturity and independent thinking.

A typical day at MATHILY includes morning problem sessions, collaborative group work, and evening mathematical activities. Students are expected to engage deeply with problems that may take hours or days to solve. The residential format means students are immersed in mathematical thinking throughout the program, not just during scheduled sessions.

MATHILY-Er follows a similar structure but is calibrated for students who are building foundational proof skills and mathematical reasoning for the first time at this level. The pace is adjusted to support students who are newer to formal mathematical argument.

For full program details, visit mathily.org.

How competitive is MATHILY?

MATHILY is highly selective. The program accepts a small number of students each cycle, and applicants are expected to demonstrate strong mathematical ability through the application process, which includes a mathematical problem set rather than a standard essay or transcript review. MATHILY-Er is also selective, though it targets a broader range of students.

The MATHILY application requires students to submit solutions to a set of mathematical problems. These problems are not standard competition problems; they require original thinking and clear written argument. Students who perform well in AMC and AIME competitions are well-positioned to apply, but competition scores alone do not guarantee admission.

The program does not publish an official acceptance rate. However, the small cohort size and the quality of the applicant pool mean that many strong students are not accepted in any given cycle. Students who apply to MATHILY should treat rejection as a reflection of the program's limited capacity, not of their mathematical potential.

RISE Research accepts students based on research readiness and genuine intellectual curiosity. The RISE program carries a 90% publication success rate, giving students a reliable path to a verifiable academic outcome regardless of selective program results.

What does MATHILY actually involve?

Students at MATHILY spend several weeks working on mathematics that goes well beyond the standard high school curriculum. The program produces deep mathematical understanding and strong proof-writing skills, but it does not produce a published paper or a formal research output that can be listed as an external credential on a college application.

The primary outcome of MATHILY is mathematical development. Students leave with a stronger foundation in advanced mathematics, exposure to university-level topics, and connections with peers who share serious mathematical interests. These outcomes are genuine and valuable for students who intend to study mathematics or a quantitative field at university.

What MATHILY does not provide is a peer-reviewed publication or an externally verified research credential. The program certificate and the experience itself are meaningful, but they do not carry the same weight on a Common App Activities section as a published paper in an academic journal.

Students who want both the mathematical depth of a program like MATHILY and a published research credential should consider pairing their mathematics preparation with RISE Research. RISE mentors include mathematicians and quantitative researchers who guide students to peer-reviewed publication in fields including mathematics, statistics, and mathematical modeling. You can explore past RISE student projects to see the range of research topics students have pursued.

How RISE Research compares for students interested in MATHILY

MATHILY and RISE Research serve different purposes, and the strongest applicants to top universities often pursue both. MATHILY builds mathematical depth through a residential, immersive experience. RISE Research produces a peer-reviewed published paper through a fully online, 1-on-1 mentorship model.

RISE Research is open to any qualified student, regardless of location or prior program acceptances. The program runs for ten weeks, and students work directly with a PhD-level mentor from an Ivy League or Oxbridge institution. Mentors in mathematics, statistics, and related fields guide students through original research that results in submission to an academic journal. RISE has a 90% publication success rate and has placed student work in more than 40 academic journals.

Published research is the strongest research signal in a college application because it is externally verified. A journal publication appears directly in the Common App Activities section and can be cited in application essays. It demonstrates that a student has produced original intellectual work that has been evaluated by experts outside their school.

RISE scholars have achieved a 3x higher acceptance rate to Top 10 universities compared to the general applicant pool. The 18% Stanford acceptance rate for RISE scholars, compared to 8.7% for the general population, reflects the admissions impact of a published research credential. You can review full admissions outcomes for RISE scholars on the results page.

Our deadline is closing soon. Book a free Research Assessment to find out what is achievable in your timeline.

RISE Research is open to students with a serious interest in mathematics and quantitative research. Our deadline is closing soon. Book a free Research Assessment to find out what is achievable in your timeline.

How does MATHILY help with college admissions?

Attending MATHILY is a strong signal of mathematical seriousness. Admissions officers at top universities recognize selective mathematics enrichment programs, and participation demonstrates that a student has pursued mathematics well beyond the standard curriculum. For students applying to mathematics, physics, computer science, or engineering programs, MATHILY attendance is a meaningful credential.

However, the admissions value of MATHILY is strongest when combined with other verifiable achievements. A program certificate tells admissions officers that a student was accepted and attended. A published research paper tells them that a student produced original work that was evaluated and accepted by expert reviewers. These are different claims, and the latter is harder to achieve and more specific.

Students who combine MATHILY with a RISE research publication arrive at their applications with two distinct and complementary credentials: deep mathematical training and a peer-reviewed research output. This combination is particularly powerful for students applying to universities where quantitative research ability is a key admissions signal. Explore RISE student publications to see the journals and topics where students have placed their work.

For more on how competition preparation and research experience work together in college applications, see our guides on the AMC 10 and AMC 12.

Frequently asked questions about MATHILY and MATHILY-Er

How do I register for MATHILY or MATHILY-Er?

Applications for MATHILY and MATHILY-Er are submitted through the official website at mathily.org. The application requires students to complete a mathematical problem set. There is no standard essay component. Students should check the official site for current application windows and submission instructions, as these are updated each cycle.

Is MATHILY worth doing for college admissions?

Yes, MATHILY attendance is a meaningful credential for students applying to mathematics and quantitative programs at competitive universities. It signals that a student has pursued mathematics seriously beyond the standard curriculum and has been selected by a rigorous process. Its admissions value is strongest when paired with a published research credential, which provides external verification of original intellectual work.

How hard is MATHILY to do well in?

MATHILY is designed to be challenging for even strong mathematics students. The program does not use a graded or competitive format; students are expected to engage deeply with difficult problems rather than compete against peers. The difficulty lies in the mathematical depth and the expectation of original thinking. Students who have strong AMC and AIME preparation will find the transition to MATHILY's proof-based curriculum demanding but rewarding.

What resources should I use to prepare for MATHILY?

Students preparing for MATHILY should focus on developing proof-writing skills and familiarity with topics beyond standard competition mathematics. Recommended preparation includes working through proof-based textbooks in combinatorics and number theory, practicing AMC and AIME problems to build problem-solving fluency, and exploring mathematical writing. The AMC 12 guide on the RISE blog covers preparation strategies relevant to students targeting MATHILY-level mathematics.

How does research experience help with MATHILY preparation?

Research experience builds the habits of mathematical thinking that MATHILY rewards: forming precise arguments, working with incomplete information, and producing written proofs. RISE Research is the first option students should consider for building this foundation. Through 1-on-1 mentorship with PhD-level mathematicians and quantitative researchers, RISE students develop the proof-writing and analytical skills that translate directly into MATHILY-level mathematical work, while also producing a peer-reviewed published paper. You can explore the RISE mentor network to see the range of mathematical expertise available.

Conclusion

MATHILY and MATHILY-Er are among the most rigorous mathematics enrichment programs available to high school students. They develop genuine mathematical depth and are recognized by admissions officers at top universities. For students serious about mathematics, applying to these programs is worth the effort.

RISE Research is the program that complements this path with a verifiable published research outcome. Whether or not a student is accepted to MATHILY, RISE provides 1-on-1 mentorship with PhD-level experts, a ten-week research program, and a 90% publication success rate across more than 40 academic journals. RISE scholars achieve a 3x higher acceptance rate to Top 10 universities compared to the general applicant pool.

The strongest applications combine deep subject preparation with externally verified research. Our deadline is closing soon. If you are a student targeting top mathematics or quantitative programs and want a published research credential on your application, schedule a free Research Assessment and we will tell you exactly what is achievable in your timeline.