It’s not too early to start thinking about it…apply in Fall 2017. http://www.k-state.edu/mcnair/appintro.html
Who is the McNair Scholar?
The McNair Scholar is an undergraduate with a record of academic success and plans to attend graduate school. A doctorate or professional degree is not a distant, abstract goal for McNair Scholars. Each scholar makes a commitment of effort and time to develop skills necessary for success in graduate school while still working toward his or her bachelor’s degree.
What McNair Scholars have most in common is a dedication to the process of higher education. It is in this dedication, as well as their intellectual curiosity and ambition, that they uphold the spirit of the program’s namesake: Dr. Ronald E. McNair, the African-American scientist/astronaut whose life and career were cut tragically short in the 1986 Space Shuttle explosion.
Applicant Requirements
- Complete 30 credit hours and be an undergraduate at Kansas State University
- Be a U.S. citizen or permanent resident
- Maintain at least a 3.0 cumulative GPA
- Be a low-income and first-generation college student or a member of an underrepresented group in higher education
McNair Scholars are expected to participate fully in the program. Full participation is briefly described below and the terms of the program are spelled out in a series of contracts signed by the scholar.
Scholars are expected to maintain the academic standards of the program and to work at developing the skills necessary for success in graduate school. Any scholar who refuses to sign or fails to uphold the terms of a contract may be removed from the program or placed on probationary status.
What is the McNair Scholars Program?
The McNair Scholars Program is a comprehensive, two-year program structured to prepare undergraduates for successful careers as graduate students, professors, and professional researchers. This preparation is offered in the form of classes, colloquia, advising, tutoring, faculty mentoring, and the completion of a Summer Research Internship.
Initially, McNair staff help scholars create an Academic Development Plan to see that students are making good progress toward their academic goals and preparing themselves to meet the challenges of graduate education.
First Academic Year in Program
McNair Scholars complete a Colloquium on Research and Graduate Education to prepare for their summer research. They continue to develop relationships with faculty members, from whom each scholar chooses an internship mentor. Scholars also attend weekly seminars focused on subjects pertaining to the process of applying to graduate school, succeeding in graduate school, career exploration, and becoming a more informed member of the university community.
Summer Research Internship
McNair Scholars complete a research project under the supervision of a faculty mentor in the scholar’s area of academic interest. The research may contribute to the mentor’s ongoing work, or it may be a project originating with the scholar. The summer internship lasts 8 weeks, during which McNair Scholars receive stipends totaling up to $2,800. Scholars also take a course of preparation for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE).
Upon completion of the summer program, scholars submit a short article based on their research. In preparation, scholars work with their mentors to see that articles are formatted and documented correctly, and that the articles meet the standards of scholarship in their academic fields. Scholars are encouraged to present their papers at conferences in their fields, and to submit them for publication in professional journals.
Second Academic Year in Program
In the year following the Summer Research Internship, the program focuses on the process of applying to graduate schools and issues in higher education. Students are encouraged to visit prospective campuses and consult with faculty and professionals in their chosen fields.
How do McNair Scholars benefit from the program?
The research and presentation experience gained by McNair Scholars prepares them to succeed in graduate school, but also strengthens their applications, helping them to get into the graduate programs of their choice. Through participation in social and cultural activities, scholars gain a better understanding of diverse cultures, including the culture of academia. They also benefit from getting to know other high-achieving students bound for graduate study, as the McNair group forms a learning community to support higher academic achievement.
In addition to the seminars and research opportunities, McNair Scholars benefit from a wide range of other services, including:
- Assistance with undergraduate progress
- Tutoring
- Technology access and assistance
- GRE prep and testing fee assistance
- Graduate school search and application assistance
- Graduate school application fee waivers
- Introduction to resources for financing graduate school
- Offsetting expenses for conferences and school visits
- Special fellowship opportunities