What is the McNair Scholars Program?
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Education, is a training program designed to support undergraduate students from first-generation and low-income backgrounds in their pursuit of a Ph.D. The McNair Scholars Program provides experiences that prepare students for graduate education in all disciplines. The program involves students in research, mentoring, and other scholarly activities.
Our program is open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors from any academic major on every Georgia Southern campus.
Who is Ronald E. McNair?
Dr. Ronald McNair lived a full and accomplished life. He was a research scientist, karate expert, jazz musician 鈥� a family man who was devout in his faith. In 1976, at the age of 26, he earned his Ph.D. in laser physics from the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology. In 1984, he also became the second African American astronaut to venture into space aboard the STS-41-B Challenger mission. Tragically, on January 28, 1986, the Space Shuttle Challenger exploded after launch from the Kennedy Space Center. He was one of the seven-person crew who died.
After his death in the Challenger Space Shuttle accident on January 28, 1986, members of Congress provided funding for the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program. Their goal was to encourage low-income and first-generation college students, and students from historically underrepresented ethnic groups to expand their educational opportunities by enrolling in a Ph.D. program and ultimately pursue an academic career. This program is dedicated to the high standards of achievement inspired by Dr. McNair鈥檚 life.
How It Works
The Georgia Southern McNair Scholars Program is designed to enhance the research skills and academic accomplishments of our McNair scholars. To adequately prepare each scholar for life as a graduate student, the McNair Program incorporates four major components: McNair Seminars and Scholarly Activities; Research and Faculty Mentoring; Graduate School Preparation; and Social, Cultural and Community Outreach Activities.
McNair Seminars & Scholarly Activities
During the academic year our scholars attend seminars to develop important research skills and to prepare for applying to graduate school.
- For first-year Scholars, fall and spring seminars introduce you to the fundamentals of research and prepare you for the McNair Summer Research Experience (MSRE). The summer seminars focus on writing an academic research paper, preparing for conference presentations, preparing for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and developing your graduate application portfolio.
- For second-year Scholars seminars focus on applying for fellowships, applying for summer research programs, networking at conferences, and developing effective leadership skills.
- Graduating Scholar seminars focus on organizing your graduate application packets, applying for fellowships, graduate school visits, selecting a graduate school, and making the transition to graduate school.
By the end of the McNair Program, you鈥檒l have had extensive training and access to the resources that will prepare you to apply and enter a masters or Ph.D. program.
Program Benefits
- McNair Scholar Stipend: Scholars receive an educational incentive of $2,800, along with room and board during the McNair Summer Research Experience.
- Academic Development: McNair Scholars receive individual academic counseling from program staff and a faculty mentor in order to maximize their undergraduate program and prepare for graduate study.
- Mentoring: Scholars select a faculty mentor who provides guidance throughout the undergraduate research process and advice during the graduate school application process. Mentors serve as role models and are an essential resource for each McNair Scholar.
- Funding for Graduate School Campus Visits: Scholars may receive funding to travel to up to two graduate schools to meet with graduate faculty and to learn more about the department and institution in order to make their final graduate school decision.
- GRE Preparation: The McNair Scholars Program assists scholars with GRE prep, finding the right graduate school and funding opportunities. Mentors help scholars navigate the application process, writing their statement of purpose and create a curriculum vita.
- Supportive Scholarly, Social and Cultural Environment: Scholars engage with others through monthly seminars, group meetings and various cultural events.
- Engage in research: Following their first year in the program, students participate in the McNair Summer Research Experience during which they conduct research projects under the guidance of a faculty mentor.
- Develop & deliver professional research presentations: McNair Scholars present their research at selected research symposia, have the opportunity to travel to professional conferences, and network with faculty and graduate students through membership in professional organizations.
- Attend graduate school preparation seminars: Scholars attend graduate school seminars and workshops focused on specific topics related to the graduate school application process, including how to identify graduate programs that 鈥渇it鈥� their needs and interests, preparing for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and how to navigate graduate school.
Services
All scholars meet with a McNair staff member to complete an individualized Personal Educational Plan (PEP), which will serve as a road map to help you reach your goals and determine in which areas you鈥檒l need assistance from our staff.
The McNair Scholars Program assists scholars with graduate school preparation, including finding the right graduate school, completing application forms, and researching funding opportunities. Through the McNair Scholars Program, you鈥檒l learn how to navigate the application process, write a statement of purpose, and construct a curriculum vita.
Hundreds of schools all over the country offer benefits to McNair scholars, including a Graduate School Application Fee Waiver. When you apply to one of these schools, include in your application materials a 鈥淐ERTIFICATION OF MCNAIR PROGRAM PARTICIPATION AND REQUEST FOR ADMISSION APPLICATION FEE WAIVER,鈥� signed by our McNair Program Director (fee waiver form).
Find out which schools offer these (and other) benefits with the list of fellowships and application fee waivers
Graduate Record Exam (GRE) fee reduction waivers are available for seniors and will be distributed based on need and eligibility. This exam is required as part of the admissions process by many Masters and Ph.D. granting programs. Since many graduate programs require all application materials to be submitted by December, it would benefit all those applying to graduate schools to take the GRE as soon after the McNair Summer Research Experience as possible.
The GRE is primarily a multiple-choice test that graduate schools use for admission of students into their graduate programs. As with any testing situation, last minute cramming is unlikely to help. Instead, it鈥檚 useful to begin preparing months ahead.
The following information will help guide you if you decide to devote some time to prepare for the test:
- Familiarize yourself with the test format at least six months before the exam.
- Learn the directions in advance. If you already know what to do for each question type, you won鈥檛 have to waste precious test time reading instructions. You鈥檒l be able to jump right in and start answering questions as soon as the test begins. The directions are always the same.
- Test yourself with a practice exam before studying to help you to identify your weaknesses.
- Use the following strategy: study, practice, study, practice, etc. 鈥� and during the practices, time yourself.
- Work with the McNair Program staff to develop a plan to take the GRE.
Emerging McNair Scholars Academy
About The Pre-McNair Program
- Designed for Freshmen and Sophomore students who are interested in undergraduate research & earning a PhD
- Students will be introduced to research and graduate school through workshops & seminars
- Students who participate will have an advantage in the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program application process
- Participation in Pre-McNair does not guarantee acceptance into the McNair Scholars Program
Benefits
- Academic Counseling
- Mentoring
- Summer Research Opportunities Exploration
- Valuable academic workshops
About Us
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program, funded by the U.S. Department of Education is a training program designed to support undergraduate students from first-generation and low-income backgrounds in their pursuit of a Ph.D.
Purpose
The McNair Scholars Program is Structured to:
- support talented, highly motivated students as they strive to achieve their educational goals.
- introduce scholars to the many opportunities an academic life offers.
- provide scholars with a foundation for graduate school.
- create a 鈥減ipeline鈥� of talented, dedicated, and prepared future researchers and faculty.
Through the Georgia Southern McNair Scholars Program, scholars receive an overview of higher education, discuss strategies for surviving and thriving in graduate school, and focus on developing important research and writing skills that will help them succeed at the graduate level.
Contact Us
Contact our program director, Dr. Issac Taylor, by emailing mcnair@georgiasouthern.edu or calling 912-478-2576.
Visit the McNair Office
Our office is located on the Statesboro Campus in the Rosenwald Building, Suite 1051.