Virtual Math Circle — FAQ & Contact

The daily schedule is coordinated between each research mentor and their student group based on availability. Most groups meet for about 2–3 hours per day, Monday through Friday. Mentors will reach out in advance to finalize a meeting 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.

Assignments are finalized once a topic reaches the minimum enrollment. You’ll receive an email with your confirmed group and mentor a few weeks before the session begins.

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.

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, VMC 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.

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.

Generally by October for the Summer/Fall cycle. Timing can vary with mentor availability and project status.

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.

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.