Program Applications
Eligibility Criteria and Details
The following criteria determine eligibility for both Rochester McNair Programs. Applicants must have sophomore or junior status; have a cumulative grade point average over 2.8 (major GPA over 3.0 for the summer); have United States citizenship or permanent residency; and be either a low-income, first-generation college student, or a member of an underrepresented group (African American, Hispanic, or Native American).
Applications for the Academic Year Program are available for download or request from the McNair Program Office early in the fall semester. They are typically due in December.
Summer Program applications are available for download or request from the Rochester office, or specific offices at the participating institutions on November 1. Applications are due in the Rochester McNair Office in early February.
Academic Year Program:
We accept 10 sophomores in January of each year. Once accepted into the program, students remain in it until graduation. Students receive academic, personal and financial counseling, individual mentoring by program staff and faculty, tutoring and study group sessions, assistance through the entire process of deciding to apply and then applying for graduate programs, Graduate Record Exam preparation, research experience during one or two semesters, assistance in finding summer research at other institutions, travel to conferences, presentation experience, graduate school visits, and other services.
Download Academic Year Program Application (PDF format)
Summer Program:
Fifteen students (a mix of students from UR and a list of other institutions) spend an intense 9 weeks on campus performing research full time under the guidance of a faculty mentor. They take a one credit course “The Culture of the Academy,” go through the process of applying to graduate school, spend 8 hours weekly in preparation for the GRE, present their research at UR and at other colleges, and travel to visit graduate programs. The program pays a stipend of $2,800 and covers room, board, and travel.
Download Summer Research Application (PDF format)
Information for Summer Participants