FAQ for Mentees
I want to take part in the DRP, but I don’t have an idea for a project. Am I still able to participate?
Don’t worry! You don’t need to know precisely what you want to do for a project in order to apply. However, the application will ask you for some general topic, direction, or goal for your project. This can be something as vague as “graph theory” or “I want to explore more algebra.” As long as you have some general direction like this, we will do our best to pair you with a graduate student who will help the you solidify your goals and develop a project idea.
To get a sense of what DRP topics and projects typically look like, you may want to check out some of our project ideas.
What makes a good DRP project?
One big goal of the DRP is to allow you to explore an area of mathematics that you might not usually have access to. With that in mind, anything that Berkeley doesn’t already offer a course on is a great starting point. That said, the best projects are ones with a concrete goal in mind: you might pick a theorem that you would like to understand the proof of, or a set of notes that you would like to read cover to cover. Your mentor will be able to help you more.
How will I be paired with my mentor?
Just as with mentees, graduates students interested in mentoring will fill out an application. On that application, they list the broad topics they’re interested in. Pairings will be made primarily based on these desired topics. Mentees and mentors can then decide after their initial meeting(s) whether their interests and working preferences mesh well.
Do I need to have background in the specific subject I want to study?
We definitely don’t expect you to know everything already! Part of the point of the DRP is to explore mathematics outside your comfort zone. Your mentor will help you to pick something realistic but still interesting and challenging. We describe some of the background we expect from applicants on our advice page.
Can I get course credit for participating?
No.
Is the DRP only for math majors? Underclassmen? Upperclassmen? Any other proper subset of students?
Not at all. Any UC Berkeley undergraduate may apply.