The McNair Scholars Program provides eligible undergraduates with critical research experiences, as well as assistance with the graduate school application process.
It is designed to help low-income, first-generation college, and historically underrepresented minority students prepare for graduate school and future careers as professors and researchers.
The McNair Program supports Scholars by focusing on three areas: academic research, graduate school preparation, and personal and professional development.
Each McNair Scholar receives a summer research stipend of $2,400 and $400 for the academic year. McNair scholars are expected to work 30 hours per week.
The focus of the program is to assist students who wish to pursue Ph.D.s. Assistance in preparing for the GRE and with the graduate school admission process is available. Periodically, we arrange visits to graduate schools and support student research presentations at undergraduate and professional research conferences.
These students benefit from the use of the McNair research facility, which is equipped with computers, printers, and software. In addition, we encourage them to become research assistants and teaching assistants for undergraduate courses at Michigan Tech.
The following activities are planned for students participating in the McNair Scholars Program:
- McNair Summer Research Internship: receive a stipend for research during 8 weeks at MTU.
- Undergraduate research with a professor during the academic year: earn stipend for approved research.
- Seminars led by faculty and McNair staff to assist with graduate school preparation.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE) preparation.
- Counseling to identify financial aid for graduate school, including assistantships and fellowships.
- Assistance completing graduate school applications and writing effective personal statements.
- Supported attendance at national and regional research conferences.
- Campus visits to other graduate school programs.
- Mentoring from faculty and McNair Staff.
- Tutoring for courses and development of writing skills.
- Graduate school application fee waivers.