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McNair Scholars flying high after 15 years
Early opportunities: Research programs give undergrads a boost for the future
Goals and services
Program goals
- To increase the rate of doctoral program application, matriculation, and degree attainment by first-generation college students who are underrepresented in graduate programs.
- To generate in our students the higher-level academic and research skills necessary to gain admission to and successfully complete graduate study.
Population served
- Students enrolled in public or private colleges who have completed 90 quarter credits or 50 semester credits with at least 12 credits in area of research interest.
- Two-thirds of students must be from families that meet U.S. Department of Education income guidelines and where neither parent has completed a four-year college degree.
- One-third of the students may be from groups that are underrepresented in graduate school.
Preferred preparation
Creative, independent second- or third-year undergraduates with good writing skills and a GPA of 2.75 or higher who possess intellectual curiosity and are interested in conducting research under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
McNair faculty
- McNair faculty members come from all disciplines, at rank of assistant professor or higher, and are interested in guiding summer research experiences of high-potential, first-generation, and minority undergraduates.
- McNair Scholars faculty members are recognized by their peers and students as valued mentors and exceptional teachers. Several members of the faculty have leadership positions in their departments, such as associate dean, director, and department chair.
- McNair Scholars faculty members are recognized leaders in their field and serve as members of professional associations and editors of professional journals.
Program features
- Twenty-four 9-week summer research apprenticeships available with a University faculty mentor whose research interests match those of the McNair student.
- Stipend of $3,000
- A weekly seminar on study strategies for graduate school and graduate entrance exam preparation.
- Advising services focus on:
- careers requiring graduate education
- successful selection and application to graduate school
- financing graduate studies
- preparing a successful undergraduate research project proposal
- introduction to discipline-specific research and research writing skills, and
- ethical issues in research.
McNair Scholars graduate profile since 1992
- 74 currently enrolled as undergraduates
- 232 have graduated from college
- 146 have been admitted to graduate programs
- 51 have received master's degrees
- 26 have received terminal degrees
- 6 are ABD (all but dissertation)
- 56 are still enrolled in a graduate program
McNair Scholars flying high after 15 years
Sample graduate institutions attended by McNair Scholars
University of Minnesota: Humphrey Institute for Public Affairs, Institute of Technology, College of Biological Sciences, College of Education and Human Development, College of Architecture and Landscape Architecture; Harvard University; John Jay College of Criminal Justice; Tulane University; University of Washington; Texas A & M; University of Texas; University of Vermont; Hamline University; Duke University; Penn State; University of Michigan; Columbia University; and Stanford University.