For Mentors

For Mentors

Apply to Be a Mentor
Q: Why should I bother becoming a mentor in FFUSars, if I can already become a mentor to a “regular” UROP?

A: A bunch of reasons!

  • a class on how to become a better mentor (including lunch!)
  • financial support (currently $2K) for the purchase of lab supplies and undergrad travel to conferences. 
  • Many opportunities for free food
  • Previous mentors have mentioned that FFUSars tend to be more dedicated to their research than “regular” UROPs
  • The FFUSars Seminar will teach your student how to find, read, and analyze the scholarship in your field, enabling them to hit the ground running on the first day of summer term.
Q: What kind of commitment would I be making if I were to become a FFUSar mentor?

A: FFUsars mentors commit to being available for about a year: 

  • The mentor class will run over IAP or in the spring 2026 at a time that works for everyone 
  • The undergrad seminar runs in the spring, summer, and fall, with the research happening over the summer. (If you plan to be away for significant amounts of the summer, FFUSars might not be for you.)
  • FFUSars mentors also need to be available in the fall to help their mentees with writing a paper for submission to a journal
  • Additional work polishing the journal article will likely happen over IAP 2027.
Q: OK, I'm ready to send Rachel a project proposal. What makes for a good project proposal/project description?

A: A good proposal covers a project whose research is doable by a first or second year MIT undergrad and can be completed over a summer (~400 hours of undergrad work) and whose content can be turned into a paper. It also includes

  • An overview of the problem you’re working on
  • Why it matters 
  • What the student will gain from the experience.
  • A cool image. 

 

Can I see a sample project description?

Sure! Check out Alexis Devitre’s proposal from 2025.

Q: How do I submit my project?

A: It’s simple! Please fill out this form. After Rachel approves your project, it will appear on the website. 

Q: Can I see a sample syllabus for the mentor class?

A: Sure! Here it is.

Q: Can I convert a current/existing UROP to a FFUSar?

A: This is fine. You’ll need to fill out this application and our student will need to fill out this application.