About
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 “pipeline” 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.
McNair Scholars 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 “fit” their needs and interests, preparing for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE), and how to navigate graduate school.
Last updated: 2/17/2025
