Here are some comments we received from our summer, 2004 group.

I think that strongest aspect of the program was the student/faculty interaction on the research project. The project (was) incredibly accessible and engaging, requiring almost no technical background before research began.... My advisor was incredibly active in our work and brought an enthusiasm to the work which I've never seen when working with a professor before. He kept us constantly motivated and challenged. ... I feel like the professors that I've gotten to know here are more like friends than bosses and I have incredible respect for all of them.... This REU Program has reinforced the idea that I want to continue research through my undergrad career and beyond. The experience will be incredibly helpful in preparing me for my future academic independent work.... I really was incredibly pleased with my research experience. I will certainly recommend it to other students from my institution next year.

I definitely got a much better sense of what math research is, and enjoyed experiencing more of the ``mathematical world'' by interacting daily with the professors and other students. The REU served as a wonderful introduction to higher study, a career, and a life in mathematics.... I have been exposed to a lot of new math, and learned what it's like to work in a ``research setting'' as opposed to a ``classroom setting.'' I also had my first experience writing a mathematical paper. I've learned some valuable lessons on what it takes to work in a group.

The strongest aspect of the REU Program is the faculty. All the advisors were very helpful and attentive to our needs.... This opportunity has helped me see that mathematics is not only a textbook subject, and that there are still many other unexplored fields. It has also helped me understand more about what Graduate School in mathematics might be like. ... It was an amazing experience that I would recommend to anyone.

I think I learned a lot about math research and increased my level of understanding and problem solving techniques.

I think that the strongest aspect of the program was how engaged the faculty were in all aspects of the program, particularly the research component. The most exciting moments involved talking with my advisor about possible avenues to take with the project and going over proofs. I also think it was incredibly fun to have so many group activities. ... I think that one of the most important things I've learned here is how applicable what I've previously studied in classes is, and how much I can extend my knowledge by consulting outside resources. I've realized that my mathematical abilities extend to beyond what I thought they were, and my enthusiasm for pure mathematics has been revived.

(My) Math project had a focus but still enough freedom within the topic to find interesting questions and theorems to keep me busy without being stuck on only one thing.... (The REU) really helped me realize what I like and don't like in Math research. I enjoyed learning and discovering mathematical ideas that I can take ownership of. And can now describe what math research is to people who think research is only done in physical sciences. I now have some direction for my Honors Thesis.

Trinity brought in many former REU students to give talks and also discuss grad schools and things with the participants. It was nice to hear from people who went through the program to get their take on various subjects.... The group events outside of Trinity (dinners and such) were nice because we got to know our professors beyond just the role of program director.... I would certainly say it increased my appreciation of math. I also had no idea what research mathematics was about, so this insight was great.

The strongest aspect of the program is the fact that we were given the opportunity to do our own research while receiving the guidance of a faculty member, who gave valuable suggestions about which directions to go in.

The faculty is by far the strongest aspect of the program because of their enthusiasm for working with us. They are very down to earth and friendly, even participating in weekly sporting events and inviting us over for dinner. They were always eager to talk to any of us, even it not in their groups, and just seemed like educated friends rather than superiors.... It has been an enriching experience, and hopefully the faculty knows how appreciative we are.

My participation in the Trinity REU Program helped me to understand the nature of undergraduate-level math research. If (our) research paper can be published, it'll help me to become a more competitive student when I apply to grad school.... To be able to publish a math paper as an undergraduate is important to me. Some of the past Trinity REU papers have been published, and that makes the program more attractive than others.