Math

This article was written by Andrea Pianta, a '95 math major, who participated in the McNair Program last summer. Here, Andrea tells us a little about herself, being a math major at Dartmouth, and her experience in the McNair Program at UNH last summer. Anyone who is interested in the program is encouraged to contact Andrea for more information and valuable advice.

The last WISP newsletter mentioned the McNair Graduate Opportunity Program as one of its "things to do this summer." Since I was a McNair Fellow last summer, I thought I'd let you know exactly what the program is all about. But first let me introduce myself, so that you know my background.

My name is Andrea Pianta, and I am a '95 math major. I have been involved in several committees on safety during my four years here, as well as one of the people who have been

working on reforming the housing situation. However, my favorite activities have been my most recent ones. Last fall, I spent my leave term on campus and worked full time as a teacher's assistant for Math 1. Since I am interested in some type of career in education, this was a great experience for me. In addition to grading and tutoring, I also attended and assisted with every class. Last year, I was also a Presidential Scholar, which is a two-term research program for juniors in all disciplines. I worked with Professor J. Laurie Snell, doing research for his

"Since I was considering applying to graduate school after finishing at Dartmouth, and because this program is particularly designed as a stepping stone to graduate school, I figured it was perfect for me."

Chance (Math 5) class. I spent most of my time writing computer simulation programs in an attempt to see whether or not coincidences can actually be predicted mathematically. I was unable to actually do this, but the process was really interesting nevertheless!

These two activities, and reading about the program in the WISP newsletter during my junior year, are what lead me to apply for the McNair Graduate Opportunity Program. Since I was considering applying to graduate school after finishing at Dartmouth, and because this program is particularly designed as a stepping stone to graduate school, I figured it was perfect for me. Although the program is now offered at about thirty school across the country, I participated in the one at the University of New Hampshire. The McNair Program is unique because if you apply to McNair at one school and they decide not to accept you, but think you are a strong candidate, they will send you to the next closest program to see if they have room for you! Also, it is important to know that the length of the program varies from school to school, although most are ten-week programs.

The McNair Program at UNH last summer was made up of fifteen people, whose areas of study encompassed nearly every field. There were six men and nine women, and ten of us lived together in a dorm on UNH's campus. Before arriving at UNH, each of us was paired with a professor, who served as our mentor and advisor over the ten weeks. My mentor was Professor L. David Meeker, and he has the distinction of being the only mathematician in the UNH Glacier Research Group, which is a group of mainly earth scientists and geologists who extract ice cores from Antarctica and analyze their chemical make-up to study climate,

"I discovered over those ten weeks the absolute frustration and joy that both are part of research. It took me nine weeks before I found any significant, unexpected behavior, but once I did, I was ecstatic!"

pollution, and catastrophic weather events. My project, therefore, was tied in part to these studies. I was mathematically testing and analyzing various climate models for statistical and characteristic behaviors. My ten weeks were, for the most part, spend in front of a VAX terminal in the Glacier Research Group's lab. I discovered over those ten weeks the absolute frustration and joy that both are part of research. It took me nine weeks before I found any significant, unexpected behavior, but once I did, I was ecstatic!

However, the research is only part of this program . All the fellows spent one day per week together, discussing the trials and tribulations of our research, and also being instructed on graduate school applications, because one major goal of this program is to get people into graduate school. We wrote practice personal statements (in fact, I used mine when I applied to graduate school this fall!), studied for and took practice GREs, and learned the basics on the whole application and acceptance process from people on graduate committees. Finally, we were able to send away for and have assistance in selecting graduate schools which we intended on applying to this fall.

Finally, at the end of the ten weeks, we had a 2-day colloquium open to the public where each fellow gave a twenty minute presentation on his/her research. Along with this presentation, we were required to hand in a manuscript of our work. Both of these were really rewarding for me. As someone who absolutely hates public speaking, being forced to do this was very helpful. Also, writing the manuscript was good practice, since next year I will hopefully be entering a Ph.D. program in mathematics.

In all, this program was really a great experience. McNair pays for your housing and meals,

"I think that [McNair] has really prepared me for doing graduate work, because I now realize just how frustrating and rewarding and confusing research can be!"

and you also receive a stipend. But I think that the most valuable part of it all, at least for me, was the research aspect. Although I had a mentor who was very supportive, he did not hold my hand as I did this research. In fact, he was away for three of the ten weeks! So I had to take a lot of my own initiative and work independently. I think that that has really prepared me for doing graduate work, because I now realize just how frustrating and rewarding and confusing research can be!

I hope that I've given you some idea of what the McNair program is like. I am still involved in the program to date by letting them know where I am applying (and hopefully where I get in) to graduate school, and they help me with applications and recommendations, as well as provide moral support. If you have any questions about McNair that I may not have covered here, or if you would like a program brochure, feel free to blitz me anytime.