McNair Scholars Program Overview

Purpose

The McNair Scholars Program is an undergraduate research program and graduate school preparation program for college sophomores, juniors, and seniors. We provide services that promote successful entry to graduate school and increase the likelihood that participants will complete a Ph.D. program.

 

Services & Benefits

• Funded research internship ($2,800 stipend, plus housing allowance)
• Individualized, holistic advising in a supportive and encouraging environment
• Mentoring (by faculty and graduate student mentors, as well as McNair Program staff)
• Free tutoring
• Graduate school preparation workshops (including GRE and personal statements)
• Individualized advice and assistance with all components of graduate school applications
• Funded travel to conferences and graduate school campus visits
• McNair Research course (three upper-division credit hours)
• Partial GRE fee waiver
• Graduate school application fee waivers at most U.S. universities

 

How it Works

Approximately 12 to 16 highly motivated undergraduate students are selected each year through a competitive application process to become McNair Scholars. Students begin the program early in the spring semester with a series of workshops designed to introduce students to the research process, including literature reviews, research design, proposal writing and the Institutional Review Board (IRB). During this time, students are paired with a faculty mentor in their chosen field and begin developing their own original research project under the guidance of the mentor.

During the summer, students complete a paid research internship, where they are paid a $3,400 stipend to complete their research project under the guidance of the faculty mentor and a graduate student mentor. Also during the summer, students complete a series of workshops that cover preparing for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), the graduate school admissions process, and demystifying the culture of graduate school and academia.

McNair is a holistic program that is invested in the success of students. We succeed when our students succeed and achieve their goals. Along the way, students receive intensive, individualized advising from McNair staff in a safe and supportive environment and a close community of scholars. This process supports students through the transition to becoming a researcher and guides them through the process of identifying and applying to graduate schools, and evaluating graduate school offers.

 

Eligibility

Highly motivated, hard-working undergraduates with a desire to earn a Ph.D.

Meet minimum cumulative GPA requirement of 3.0

First-generation college student AND Limited-income

OR

Groups traditionally underrepresented in graduate education:

African American, Hispanic, Native American, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, or Native American Pacific Islander

Contact us with questions or for help determining your eligibility.

You may also use our online form to assess Eligibility and request more information.

 

Application

For an application see McNair staff, email them at mcnair@uwyo.edu

 

 

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Contact Information & Location

Call, email, or stop by our offices anytime. We are located on the third floor of Knight Hall, Rooms 317 & 318.

McNair Scholars Program, Student Educational Opportunity, 1000 E University Ave Laramie, WY 82071

Phone: (307)766-6189 | TTY: (307)766-3073 | Fax: (307)766-4010

Email: mcnair@uwyo.edu

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The McNair Scholars Program is a federal TRIO Program funded through a grant from the U.S. Department of Education.