Frequently Asked Questions
What do the names of the different programs within the Math Circles of Chicago mean? Which program should I register for?
- Cheng-3/4: 3rd and 4th graders should sign up for this level.
- Haynes-5/6: 5th and 6th graders should sign up for this level.
- Brahmagupta-7/8: We’d like all 7th graders and many 8th graders to sign up for Brahmagupta-7/8.
- Cantor-A1/G: This program is meant for 9th and 10th graders enrolled in Algebra 1 or Geometry, and 8th graders that have completed or are enrolled in a high school level Algebra 1 course.
- Kovalevsky-A2/PC: Students who have completed a high school level geometry course should enroll in Kovalevsky.
- Euler: Fall 2025--we will not be holding Euler this fall, but it may return in the future. Euler is meant for students who have completed the two year Kovalevsky cycle.
How does the lottery work? How does re-enrollment work? How does the waitlist work?
If you are new to MC2, when you register you will be informed that you have entered the lottery. On the priority deadline day, a lottery is run. Students in public schools in Chicago fill spots first; otherwise, each student in the lottery has an equal chance for admission. Admissions emails are sent out that day.
If you attended math circles the previous semester, attending at least three sessions, you can re-enroll at the same site. You must do so before the priority deadline to re-enroll. Note that there is no re-enrollment for summer--all students applying for summer enter a lottery; students can enroll after the lottery runs if space is available.
Students who miss the first day of math circles and who do not notify their site coordinator via email prior to that day will be dropped if that program has a waitlist. Students who are admitted from the waitlist will be notified at least one week before the corresponding site’s second meeting.
Does every program have a waitlist?
No. Historically the high school programs–Kovalevsky-A2/PC and Euler–have not had waitlists. The programs that have had waitlists most frequently are Cheng-3/4 and Haynes-5/6 at our Saturday sites.
What is your policy for students 'moving up' to higher program levels?
Our sessions are designed to challenge all students, especially advanced ones; many (though not all) of the students are already taking math a year beyond the standard school curriculum for their grade level.
We do rarely make exceptions, but only for 4th and 6th graders, or students who have taken the AIME (if you don't know what the AIME is, don't worry about it).
4th and 6th grade students should start in the class appropriate to their grade in school. If your child feels like the first sessions really aren’t providing them with the challenge they want, we can discuss moving them up--email us at info@mathcirclesofchicago.org. They need to continue at their current program level, but we will ask their teacher to keep an eye out for them and see what they think. We will communicate with the family, the teacher, listen, and use our judgment to make a decision. We may give you advice to give to your child about what they'll need to do during sessions in order to have the opportunity to 'move up'.
If you are new to Math Circles, choose the standard age group suggested above. Also please note: Part of our disinclination to ‘move up’ students are that we want is best collectively for our students. There is value in having students grouped by age and maturity level.
My 3rd or 4th grade student really loves math. Can they enroll in Math Circles?
Yes! Our new 3rd/4th grade program launched in the fall of 2023! This program is called Cheng-3/4 and is offered at all of our Hubs.
What about my 2nd grader?
We're sorry, but we do not admit 2nd graders into our programs.
If I attended last quarter, am I guaranteed a spot in the next quarter?
Generally, yes. You do need to have good attendance (no more than 3 absences in a quarter), and you are only guaranteed a spot at the same location. Please note: Because we do not have nearly as many spaces available in our summer camps as we do in our academic year program, no one is guaranteed a spot in the summer. However, we generally give priority to students who have strong attendance during the school year priority in our summer lottery as much as we can.
Do you have a summer program?
Yes! Learn more by navigating to our Summer programs page
For Chicago area students, we also recommend UChicago's Young Scholars Program for Rising 7th to 12th graders and UIC's Young Scholars Program for Rising 9th to 12th graders--you'll find information about those programs on our Programs page as well.
