Gunjan Aggarwal

BIG Scholar 2024 | EGMO Medalist

Major and Institution
Mathematics at Trinity College, University of Cambridge
Achievements
EGMO Bronze 2022, EGMO Silver 2023, EMGO Silver 2024
High School
Second Gymnasium, Sarajevo, 2024
Country
India
One Aspiration
To develop as a writer
Hobbies
Writing poetry and baking
Gunjan Aggarwal

BIG Scholar 2024 | EGMO Medalist

Gunjan got interested in mathematics in fourth grade, and is sustained by a passion for problem-solving and helping train younger math students. She prefers practicing problems to reading theories. At university, she is excited to explore new areas of math, particularly abstract algebra, while also pursuing diverse interests from computer science to poetry and cooking.
We caught up before she started university (interview edited for length and clarity):
GTF: When did you first start getting interested in mathematics, and how has your approach to competitions evolved?

GA: I got interested in math before I even knew about Olympiads. In fourth or fifth grade, I was intrigued by a math competition in my city, which was quite challenging for a fifth grader. Through that, I learned about Olympiads and started preparing more. Early on, I was motivated by the feeling of accomplishment and getting prizes, but now I do it for the fun of it and the experience. Caring less about the results and more about enjoying the process has kept me going for a lot longer.

GTF: What’s been your favorite Math Olympiad experience?

GA: Participating in EGMO was probably the most enriching experience I’ve had. My favorite Olympiad was in 2022 because I got to compete alongside my sister. I also really enjoy combinatorics, which has become my favorite topic over the years, even though I still like geometry.

GTF: How do you approach preparing for Math Olympiads?

GA: At this point, practicing problems has helped me more than just reading theories. I focus on solving lots of problems and studying different solutions to see multiple approaches. For example, in the Math Olympiad training program I help run, we brought together participants to guide beginners with updated advice and relevant problems. We also had technical classes and informal sessions for motivation, like the pep talk I gave before the Olympiad.

GTF: How are you feeling about starting university at Cambridge, and what are your academic interests?

GA: I’m definitely excited because Cambridge is my dream university, but I’m nervous about moving to a different country. I’m looking forward to being part of the community and learning from world-renowned professors. I’m particularly interested in abstract algebra, but I plan to explore different areas of mathematics before deciding. I’d like to pursue a master’s degree after my undergraduate studies, but I’m not yet sure about a specific career path.

GTF: What are your interests outside of mathematics?

GA: I’m interested in exploring computer science because it’s closely related to math, and I also love writing poetry. I’ve been writing for about a year and a half, and while I’m still a beginner, it’s something I’d like to develop further. I also enjoy baking—cakes, pancakes, anything sweet! It’s just something fun I do in my free time.