Virtual Math Research Circle — FAQ & Contact

A math circle is a community-centered program where students explore deep, non-standard mathematics through collaborative problem solving, discussion, and discovery. Circles emphasize curiosity, reasoning, and communication—not rote practice or test prep. Sessions are typically guided by mathematicians or experienced teachers.

• University-level content and engagement with primary sources.
• Mentored research aimed at original results, not just enrichment problems.
• Scholarly communication: written reports, posters, and colloquium-style presentations.
• Research Extension option to continue and, when appropriate, present at LSU Discover Day.

It depends on the term.

• Summer (3-week intensive): most groups meet about 2–3 hours per day, Monday–Friday.
• Fall/Spring (≈6 weeks): meetings are spread out; mentors schedule 1–3 meetings per week (typically 60–120 minutes each) based on group availability.

Mentors will reach out in advance to coordinate a time that works for everyone.

Once research groups have been finalized and approved to run, students will be contacted by their assigned mentor with details about scheduling and session logistics. This typically happens a few weeks before the session begins.

Because research is collaborative, consistent attendance matters. If you must miss a meeting, notify your mentor in advance. Mentors may share notes, recordings, or alternative tasks as appropriate, but live participation is strongly preferred.

Often yes—please contact us as early as possible and we’ll try to accommodate changes, depending on group availability.

If you completed the registration form and submitted the deposit, your spot is confirmed unless you hear otherwise. Final placement into a specific topic depends on enrollment and group availability.

We welcome motivated 9th–12th graders. There is no strict prerequisite, but students should be ready to engage with challenging, proof-oriented mathematics beyond the standard high-school curriculum. Any session-specific prerequisites appear on the session page.

No. Transcripts and letters of recommendation are not required.

Registration remains open until research groups are filled. Availability is limited and first-come, first-served; popular sessions may close before the official deadline.

We seek engaged, collaborative learners who enjoy problem-solving and clear communication. Beyond grades, we value curiosity, persistence, and readiness to work on proof-based research in a team.

The remaining tuition balance is due once your research group has been confirmed to run. We will send a follow-up email with payment instructions at that time.

The deposit is generally non-refundable, as it helps reserve a spot and begin mentor planning. If you have specific concerns, please reach out—we handle each situation case-by-case and aim to be as accommodating as possible.

Limited financial assistance may be available based on need and funding. A short aid form may be required; awards depend on availability in a given term.

Yes—you can share preferences on the application. While we can’t guarantee a specific topic or mentor, we consider preferences when forming balanced, effective teams.

• Topics listed for each session are preliminary and may change as mentors and enrollments finalize.
• During registration you will rank your top 4–6 topics.
• Minimum enrollment: a project runs with at least three students. If a project has two or fewer registrants, we will place you into your next ranked choice.
• VMRC does not publish live enrollment numbers.
• We prioritize your rankings, balance enrollments across projects, and consider scheduling; placement is not guaranteed.
• Final topic lists are posted about four weeks before each session.

Mentors are mathematicians from LSU and partner universities nationwide. Teams of 3–6 students are formed based on background, interest, and schedule to support close guidance and collaboration.

Yes. Participants receive a certificate; mentors can provide recommendation letters upon request describing your contributions.

While we don’t offer test prep, VMRC research, writing, and presentations provide strong material for applications and interviews. Some teams publish or present their work, which can further strengthen applications.

No special equipment is required. A computer with Zoom and a stable internet connection is sufficient. We often draft in LaTeX (Overleaf). Some projects may use optional Python or SageMath for small experiments.

Optional (not required): Many students like a tablet with a stylus for handwriting math while sharing their screen. If you choose to buy one, look for: active stylus with palm rejection (USI/EMR/AES/MPP) and the ability to share your screen in Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams.

Examples families have found affordable:

• Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite (2024) — S Pen included; strong value for handwriting.
• Samsung Galaxy Tab S9 FE — S Pen included; faster and still cost-conscious.
• Lenovo Tab P11 (2nd Gen) + Precision Pen 2 — budget Android option; pen sold separately.
• Lenovo Chromebook Duet 3 + USI 2.0 pen — ChromeOS tablet; pen sold separately.

Prices fluctuate by retailer and sales; used/refurbished units are fine. We don’t require a tablet—any computer with Zoom is sufficient.

Yes—when results are original and mature. Mentors guide polishing, authorship, and choosing a venue (often arXiv first, then an undergraduate journal or conference). Publication is not guaranteed.

Authorship reflects substantial intellectual contribution by students and mentors. Order is discussed with the team and documented before submission; acknowledgments credit additional support.

Teams retain educational-use rights; repositories are shared with mentors. With agreement, code/data may be released under a permissive license (e.g., MIT/Apache). External data may carry its own terms.

An invitation-only continuation for select teams to turn results into a paper or poster, often targeting LSU Discover Day. Mentors invite top students who show readiness to produce a polished scholarly artifact.

Highly selective. Only students demonstrating exemplary mathematical skill, diligence, capability, work ethic, and research aptitude are recommended by mentors. Participation is not guaranteed for every team.

• Summer projects: invites usually go out in October so teams can do light, optional prep in the fall and join the January kickoff.
• Fall projects: interest check in mid–late December; formal invitations the first week of January.
• Spring projects: invites typically late March–early April (or within 2–4 weeks after the term ends), aiming for a late-spring/summer presentation.

Summer and Fall cohorts usually share a joint January kickoff to prepare together for LSU Discover Day in April.

Commonly 4–12+ weeks with weekly or biweekly meetings plus independent work between meetings. Students are expected to meet deadlines and respond promptly to feedback through to submission or presentation.

Sometimes. A modest fee may apply to cover mentor time; limited financial assistance may be available depending on funding.

• Spring: two 6-week sessions from mid-January to early April (minimal/no gap).
• Summer: two 3-week intensives with ~2-week break (often around early July); ends by early August.
• Fall: two 6-week sessions starting after Labor Day and finishing by mid-December.

Summer and Fall cohorts typically present at LSU Discover Day in April of the following year. Spring cohorts usually present at a different spring or summer conference (announced each year; may include regional MAA/AMS section meetings, institutional research days, or a VMRC-hosted colloquium).

LSU Discover Day is held in person on the LSU campus. Many Research Extension teams present a poster or talk there. We also support virtual or in-person presentation options when appropriate.

No. The goal is to prepare a high-quality poster or talk, but final participation depends on project readiness and event timelines.

Possibly. Because Discover Day is hosted on campus, families should plan for travel and lodging if presenting in person. Limited funding for travel costs and lodging may be available (case-by-case; not guaranteed).

By contribution and readiness, in consultation with mentors. Authorship reflects substantial intellectual contribution; presenter roles consider clarity of explanation and availability.