FAQ
When does Twoples start?
Twoples runs twice a year, starting at the beginning of September and again at the beginning of February. The application deadline for the upcoming iteration of Twoples is listed at the top of the application form.
Have you received my application?
If you submit your application form, then we have received it. If you are not sure, feel free to contact us and ask. We will reach out in August (for the September start) or January (for the February start) when we are making decisions about applications. We usually send out an email in August/January to confirm that you are still interested in participating in Twoples before we make our final decisions.
How many people participate in Twoples?
Lately, we have been receiving around 75 mentee applications and 20 mentor applications each semester. Some mentors are willing to take two or three mentees, so we usually have about 25 to 30 mentees and 20 mentors.
Who can be a mentee?
Our mentees are usually undergraduate students who are interested or curious about pursuing a graduate degree in math. Most of our mentees are math majors, but some have come from different majors, and some had not yet chosen a major. Our students come from all sorts of institutions, including liberal arts colleges, technical schools, large research universities, community colleges, and occasionally high schools.
Who can be a mentor?
Our mentors are usually PhD students or postdocs in the mathematical sciences. If you are not sure whether you are eligible to be a mentor, contact us!
How are mentees selected?
Because we do not have enough mentors for all mentee applicants, we have to select mentees who will benefit most from this program. There are many factors that go into guessing who will benefit. Typically, we look for applicants who are responsive, motivated, and come from an institution with no directed reading program. We also select mentees based on available mentors' backgrounds and interests.
What is a directed reading program?
See our about page for a brief description. Most directed reading programs are hosted by a specific institution, although there are a few online versions (like Twoples, Pares Ordenados, and DRP Türkiye). If you are not sure if your institution has a directed reading program, contact us and we can help you find out! Under special circumstances, we occasionally do accept mentees from institutions with a directed reading program.