Your Future in Math Starts Here

MC2 College Pathways is for all high school students with an interest in STEM or education. Like the city of Chicago itself, our program is diverse. Some of our students have been doing math circles since middle school, others are just getting started as high schoolers.

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We want you to find your own pathway to mathematical success and confidence through our programming, and we believe we can help all students find opportunities that fit their needs.

Fill out this interest form!

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You will then set up a 15 minute video call with the High School Program Manager so we can get to know more about you, your math background and your goals so we can best put you on a pathway that works for you.

We are seeking students who meet any (but not necessarily all) of the following descriptions below:

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• Rising 9th, 10th, 11th, or 12th grade students
• Students who are intellectually curious and seeking opportunities to grow their mathematical abilities
• Students who are looking for opportunities to grow their teaching skills
• Students looking to build a resume of extracurricular STEM experiences for college or post-secondary careers
• Students from neighborhoods and who have been historically underserved by STEM education.

While Chicago Public Schools students are our primary audience, we will consider the applications of students from parochial schools, charter schools, or independent schools in Chicago or the nearby suburbs on a case-by-case basis. Please complete our interest form.

Students who can demonstrate by tax return that they earned less than $75,000 in income OR who attend a high school with ≥ 75% students with economic disadvantage can qualify for stipends for participating in MC2 College Pathways.

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Stipends and scholarships earned will be paid to students by May 31 of each academic year they participate in College Pathways.

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Students will need to provide a Zelle-linked email address or phone number to receive any stipends they qualify for.

 For AY 25-26, MC2 College Pathways students qualify for an annual stipend if:

1. They meet income requirements
   
   • They demonstrate their household income is ≤ $75,000 per year by sharing a FY 2024 tax return with Math Circles of Chicago
     OR
   • Your elementary or high school has ≥ 75% students with economic disadvantage

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AND

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2. You participate in programming in two out of three semesters (Fall, Winter, Summer) in AY 25-26
   
   • Fall Programs: Math Circles, High School Assistant Teaching, QED, Special Events
   • Winter Programs: Math Circles, High School Assistant Teaching, Special Events
   • Summer Programs: Math Circles, High School Assistant Teaching, Nationally Recognized non-MC2 Math Programs
   • An exception will be made for QED participants; if this is the only way that you participate with MC2 College Pathways for the year, you will still earn an annual participation stipend.
     
     

AND

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3. They earn a minimum number of points as determined by the rubric below. For students in math enrichment from July 1 2025 to June 30 2026, the stipends will be:
   
   • 10 points or more: $150
   • 20 points or more: $300

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There may be additional stipends available for participation in other programs, but the points rubric is used to track qualification for this annual stipend of $150/$300. Additionally, students who have earned higher points throughout their lifetime with MC2 are given additional consideration when applying for paid positions as a high school teaching assistant, or capstone scholarships.

For example, a student who met the income requirements (1), attended all ten days of a MC2 summer program earning 10 points (3), but did not participate in Fall or Winter programming with MC2 (2) would not earn a $150 stipend unless they also were to participate in a Fall / Winter semester program.

How to Earn Points

Each aspect of College Pathways programming offers opportunities to earn points for the annual stipend. Points from this rubric are tracked through the MC2 Database and your College Pathways profile once you join the program.

Enrichment Pathway

During the school year, register for Cantor or Kovalevsky math circles at one of our hub locations, or if your school offers a local option, directly at your school. During the summer, we offer multi-week courses in college-level math topics taught by renowned professors in topics such as category theory or statistics and data science. 

• Attend a Math Circle  [1 Point]
  For each date of MC2 programming you attend, whether in the Fall, Winter, or Summer, you earn a point toward your annual stipend.
• Attend a College Pathways Special Event [1 Point]
  MC2 occasionally sponsors film screenings, lectures, workshops, or other special events that College Pathways students can register for. Attending these events also earns 1 point.

Education Pathway

• Assistant Teach at a Math Circle [1 Point]
  Each date you show up to teach at a math circle also earns you one point.

Research Pathway

• Complete a QED Project [10 Points]
  Submitting a QED project and attending the symposium in December earns a full 10 points.
  Projects that earn a “distinguished” or “highly distinguished” award will earn 15 points.
  
  
• Attend a Chicago-Based Summer Math Program (Outside of MC2) [10 Points]
  MC2 encourages students in this pathway to make a plan for math enrichment during the summer. Local Chicago-based programs such as UIC YSP or UChicago YSP - which are at least two weeks long - earn College Pathways students 10 points upon completion.
  
  

Attend a National (i.e. outside of Chicago) Summer Math Program[15 Points]
Due to the more selective nature of applying to and becoming admitted to these programs, attending such a program is worth 15 points.

While we hope you'll participate in College Pathways, no, the interest form is just an opportunity for us to get to know better what kinds of opportunities you're looking for so that we can help support you in finding the best math pathways for you.

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