Applications for Spring 2023 are closed!

What IS DRP?

DRP stands for “Directed Reading Program”.

As the name suggests, the program pairs undergraduate mentees with graduate mentors who work through a semester-long independent study project together. That project is usually based on a particular book or article, which the mentee reads at their own pace while the mentor guides and supplements the reading.

The first DRP was started at the University of Chicago in 2003 and now exists at many universities across the country. The DRP Network has been established to connect these programs and to provide resources for their success.

Who are the mentees?

Mentees are motivated undergraduate students who might…

• wish to learn about a subject not covered by the department coursework.
• want an in-depth analysis of a particular topic.
• like math but want to learn more about what math “is”.
• want to see a more advanced treatment of a standard subject.
• want to develop the skill of working independently through a topic.
• want to improve their ability to communicate, especially technically.

Who are the mentors?

Mentors are motivated math PhD students/postdocs who might…

• be interested in sharing their passion for math.
• want to learn valuable mentorship skills.
• wish to learn a new topic through their mentorship.

What are the topics?

After being paired, mentors and mentees jointly determine a topic and the readings they’ll use to study that topic.

Interested mentors and mentees might look at project ideas or past projects. You do not need to have a specific project in mind to apply! We will do our best to pair you with a mentor with suitable interests.

What are the expectations?

Mentees have the following responsibilities:

• Meet with their mentor once per week for at least 1 hour.
• Devote at least four hours outside of their meeting to their project each week.
• Give a 10 minute presentation summarizing their work at the end of the semester.

Mentors have the following responsibilities:

• Meet with their mentee once per week for at least 1 hour.
• Help guide mentees in determining their topic.
• Work with mentee on their presentation at the end of the semester, having the mentee give at least one practice presentation before-hand.

So… now what?

Fill in the following form and we will contact you later.

See the FAQ for more information about eligibility, expectations, and deadlines.

Contact:

• Faculty Supervisor:
  • Professor Anna Marie Bohmann (am.bohmann@vanderbilt.edu)
• Organizers:
  • Julio Cáceres (julio.e.caceres.gonzales@vanderbilt.edu)