Choose Your Own Adventure

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McNair Scholars Research Program

Students apply for the McNair Scholars Research Program in their second or third year of undergraduate studies. Our program is designed to take two years, but motivated students can finish it in one year by juggling both their research and graduate school applications concurrently.

Students will complete 8 credits, including in-person research courses during the first summer.

McNair Experience Timeline - TWO YEARS (Preferred)

  • UNIV431: McNair Scholars Research Studies I (2 credits)
    • Introduced to the research process
    • Identify your research topic
    • Design your approach
    • Find a faculty mentor
    • Meet Tuesdays and Thursdays in June & July, 9am-2pm
  • LIB251: Research as Inquiry (1 credit)
    • Write your literature review
    • Meet Tuesdays in June & July, 12-2pm
  • Receive funds for room and board

Participate in cohort programming

  • UNIV432: McNair Scholars Research Studies II (2 credits)
    • Complete your research project proposal
    • Get approval & begin research (data collection, textual analysis, etc.)
    • Date & time decided as a group (typically early evening)
  • Participate in cohort programming
  • HON451: Senior Capstone (2 credits)
    • Complete data analysis
    • Create poster and oral presentations
    • Write manuscript
    • Date & time decided as a group (typically early evening)
  • Participate in cohort programming
  • Summer PREP
    • Learn about the graduate school admission process
    • Start preparing application materials
    • Meet the week after commencement, 9am-3pm daily
    • Check in online during the summer
  • Attend research conferences (if possible)
  • Join an external research experience (if possible)
  • UNIV433: McNair Post Baccalaureate Preparation Seminar (1 credit)
    • Apply to graduate school with expert assistance
    • Prepare for interviews and campus visits
    • Date & time decided as a group (typically early evening)
  • Attend research conferences
  • Participate in cohort programming
  • Attend professional development workshops focused on understanding and preparing for the transition into graduate school
  • Visit graduate schools
  • Make graduate school decisions

McNair Experience Timeline - ONE YEAR

  • Summer PREP
    • Learn about the graduate school admission process
    • Start preparing application materials
    • Meet the week after commencement, 9am-3pm daily
    • Check in online during the summer
  • UNIV431: McNair Scholars Research Studies I (2 credits)
    • Introduced to the research process
    • Identify your research topic
    • Design your approach
    • Find a faculty mentor
    • Meet Tuesdays and Thursdays in June & July, 9am-2pm
  • LIB251: Research as Inquiry (1 credit)
    • Write your literature review
    • Meet Tuesdays in June & July, 12-2pm
  • Receive funds for room and board
  • Participate in cohort programming
  • UNIV432: McNair Scholars Research Studies II (2 credits)
    • Complete your research project proposal
    • Get approval & begin research (data collection, textual analysis, etc.)
    • Date & time decided as a group (typically early evening)
  • UNIV433: McNair Post Baccalaureate Preparation Seminar (1 credit)
    • Apply to graduate school with expert assistance
    • Prepare for interviews and campus visits
    • Date & time decided as a group (typically early evening)
  • Attend research conferences
  • Participate in cohort programming
  • HON451: Senior Capstone (2 credits)
    • Complete data analysis
    • Create poster and oral presentations
    • Write manuscript
    • Present at UNC’s Student Showcase of Artists and Scholars
    • Date & time decided as a group (typically early evening)
  • Participate in cohort programming
  • Attend research conferences
  • Attend professional development workshops focused on understanding and preparing for the transition into graduate school
  • Visit graduate schools
  • Make graduate school decisions
  • Participate in cohort programming

Additional benefits

  • Receive financial support for McNair courses, research, conferences, and graduate school applications
  • Participate in mentoring and networking opportunities
  • Engage with a community of motivated first-generation scholars
  • Interact with professional staff dedicated to your success

Graduate School Successes

78%

of UNC McNair Scholars have enrolled in graduate programs

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400+

UNC McNair Scholars have earned graduate degrees

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40+ PhDs

UNC McNair Scholars have earned more than 40+ PhDs and 30+ other doctorates

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