Prospective Students
If you’re considering going to graduate school, the McNair Scholars Program can help you get there.
We offer a two-year comprehensive program designed to prepare you for successful entry into, and eventual completion of a doctoral program of study.
Year One Program Services:
- Individual Success Plan – Work with McNair staff to develop a success plan based on your personal, career, and academic needs to help you achieve you goals.
- McNair Research Seminar – Enroll in a 2 credit per semester research methods course taught by McNair staff designed to introduce you to graduate research.
- Faculty Mentor – Select a faculty mentor from your major to help you develop and complete an independent research project on the topic of your choice.
- Conference Presentations – Present your research at local, regional, and/or national conferences.
- Cultural Events and Celebrations – Attend cultural events designed to introduce you to academic culture and celebrations to recognize your success.
- Summer Research Internship – Participate in a paid ($2,800 stipend plus living expenses) 6-week residential summer research internship.
- Graduate Admissions Exam Preparation – Attend workshops to prepare you for graduate admissions exams.
Year Two Program Services:
- McNair Postbaccalaureate Preparation Seminar
- Graduate Admissions Success Plan – Develop a detailed plan designed to streamline the graduate admissions process, identify appropriate graduate programs, and ensure that you meet all deadlines.
- Curriculum Vita and Graduate Admissions Essay Assistance – Learn to craft a vita and admissions essay to get the attention of graduate admissions committees and maximize your chance for acceptance into the graduate program of your choice.
- Graduate Admissions Fee Waivers - Become eligible for admissions fee waivers from approximately 175 graduate programs nationwide.
- McNair Research Competition – Submit your completed research project to compete for a research scholarship (first place - $1,000, 2nd place - $600, 3rd place - $400, 4th place - $150 gift certificate from Barnes and Noble).
- McNair Research Journal – Publish your completed research in the UNC McNair Research Journal, a faculty-reviewed yearly publication of all McNair projects that meet publication standards.
