Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is named in Honor of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, the laser physicist and Challenger space shuttle astronaut. Funded through a grant from the United States Department of Education, the objective of the McNair Program(s) are to increase the numbers of low-income, first-generation and underrepresented minority undergraduates who pursue doctoral degrees (specifically the Ph.D.) and go on to careers in research and teaching at the University level.
McNair students are currently very sought after by graduate admissions committees. Recognizing that McNair scholars are well prepared for the rigors of graduate study, over 200 institutions now will waive the application fee for any McNair Scholar who applies. Likewise, a growing number of graduate institutions are beginning to offer fellowships and other financial incentives that are specifically targeted to McNair Scholars. Therefore, the benefits of participation in the McNair Program are not just short-term; the program can provide long-term benefits as well.
Long Term Benefits of McNair Participation:
- GRE Fee Waiver provided by ETS
- Graduate School application waivers provided by upwards of 200 graduate schools
- Some McNair-specific funding available at a variety of institutions
- Highly desirable population for graduate recruitment
- Networking with faculty and peers
- Higher potential of actually completing a doctoral program
For details, see Application Incentives.
To participate in a McNair Program students must meet the eligibility criteria: 2/3 of students must meet the federal definitions of both “low-income” (family income of 150% or less of the established poverty line) and “first-generation” (neither parent had a four year degree while the student was in high school). The remaining 1/3 of participants must be members of groups underrepresented at the doctoral level (also a federal definition (African American, Hispanic, Native American). Participants must also be citizens or permanent residents (with some leeway granted for students applying for permanent residency), and be interested in pursuing an academic doctorate.
Visit the COE home page http://www.trioprograms.org for information about other McNair Programs and additional information about the various programs funded by United States Department of Education