My Background
Hello! My name is Aditya Ramkrishna Patil, I am a resident of Chalisgaon, India. I have recently graduated from Podar International School Chalisgaon. I am currently a high school sophomore. I got selected for a prestigious maths program, i.e., PROMYS India.
The Applications Process – I Have a Secret
The PROMYS India application runs from mid-December to mid-February, and decisions are announced in the first week of April.
We are first given an Application Problem Set, which contains 8 problems that are way out of the league for a normal high school student.
Pro tip 1: In those 8 application problems, more than 4 are repeated, so make sure to solve past years’ problem sets.Pro tip 2: Always explain in your solutions how you reached the answer, so they know you have more than one perspective.Pro tip 3: Use as many rough pages as needed. Although they say rough work isn't considered, it helps prove your work is original.Pro tip 4: Never use ChatGPT to find your answers. They value honesty and can detect AI-written content easily.Pro tip 5: If you discover a new formula, state it. If you are genuinely solving the problems, you will likely create your own.
Then we have to complete the application essays.
Pro tip 6: In your essays, show that you're a mathematics enthusiast. Connect it with another interest—for example, I linked math with financial markets.Pro tip 7: If you've won medals in mathematics Olympiads, definitely mention them.Pro tip 8: Search online for math topics where research is still ongoing, do your own exploration, and email them. This shows you’re a true mathematician.Pro tip 9: If you have any research projects, include them. In my case, I worked on Mersenne primes and Fibonacci retracement in stock market charts.
Then they will conduct an interview with you.
Pro tip 10: In interviews, they want to know you better. Be confident and honest.Pro tip 11: Cancel all your other plans during the program—it’s a full 6-week commitment, and they don’t allow you to leave the campus.
After the interview, the decisions will come out.
My Extracurriculars
Developed advanced financial models
Created a Pine Script indicator with 46% accuracy
SOF IMO International Ranks: (10th: 9), (9th: 12)
Member of a private investment club
National-level swimmer (not relevant for PROMYS)
Investment analyst intern at Motilal Oswal Investment Services
Social media marketing intern at Pledge a Smile
Which Part Impressed Them the Most?
In the extracurricular essays, I focused on how mathematics can be a catalyst for financial stock market analysis. That impressed them the most. In my "Favorite Problem" essay, I clearly stated that the 5th problem was my favorite—not because it took the most time, but because it was the only one with infinite possibilities.
Pro tip 12: In your essays, take only one theme and connect it to mathematics.
My Experience With Mathematics
One of the most significant experiences has been developing advanced financial models, which require a deep understanding of mathematical concepts. For instance, I have created two financial statement models: a Discounted Cash Flow (DCF) model integrated with Monte Carlo simulations, and a Leveraged Buyout (LBO) model with multi-scenario analysis. Each of these models requires applying mathematical principles like probability, statistics, and algebra. Currently, I am working on a Private Equity Waterfall Distribution Model, which involves intricate calculations to distribute returns among investors. These projects have allowed me to see mathematics come to life in solving real-world problems.
In addition, I have participated in the SOF International Mathematics Olympiad (IMO) and earned several medals—3 gold medals consecutively from grades 7, 8, 9, and 10—and achieved international ranks of 256, 86, 12, and 9 respectively, with a class rank of 1 in all of them.
Unfortunately, my school does not offer math clubs or similar platforms to engage with peers on mathematical topics. However, I have always found ways to immerse myself in mathematics independently—through Olympiads, personal projects, or exploring mathematical concepts in financial contexts.
