Fall Applications Due Dec 8th, 2023
Upcoming Zoom Info Sessions:
Zoom 97740906226
Friday, November 10th – 1pm
Wednesday, November 15th – 11am
Thursday, November 16th – 10am
Monday, November 27th – 10am
Wednesday, November 29th – 12pm
About the program
McNair Scholars is part of the federally funded TRIO education programs administered by the U.S. Department of Education, and the only one primarily focused on students’ postbaccalaureate success. McNair Scholars seeks to increase the number of undergraduate students earning doctoral degree who are low-income and first-generation, or who come from communities underrepresented in graduate education. McNair Scholars, named in honor of astronaut, physicist, and saxophonist Dr. Ronald E. McNair, was established by an act of Congress in 1989. UT-Austin has maintained its program since 2007.
Program participants must be serious about and committed to enrolling in graduate programs with an end goal of completing a Ph.D. Students selected to participate in McNair Scholars work with both staff advisors (on graduate school literacy) and a faculty mentor (on research and scholarship). Scholars define, develop, and deliver original, independent research projects. Scholars receive a free GRE prep course, travel awards, and participation scholarships.
Program Services
- Research opportunities for participants who have completed at least thirty (30) hours of college
- Exposure to cultural and academic opportunities not usually available to undergraduates.
- Mentoring and advising during both the research and application processes.
- Seminars and other scholarly activities designed to prepare students for doctoral studies
- Travel to research conferences and graduate school visits
- Tutoring
- Academic counseling
- Assistance in securing admission and financial aid for enrollment in graduate programs
- Guidance on developing a viable research proposal via the McNair Research Methods Course
- Guidance on teaching methods and strategies via the McNair Teaching Academy
Topics Covered
- The Nuts and Bolts of Graduate School
- The Faculty Mentor Relationship
- Public Speaking and Presentations
- How to find and refine your research question
- GRE Prep
- Writing Statements of Purpose
- Creating a CV
- Choosing the “best fit” graduate programs for you
- How to fund your graduate education
- How to take care of yourself during graduate school
Fall Applications Due December 8th, 2023
Download the McNair FAQ.
Meet some of our McNair Graduates!
Tailar
Fernando
Eligibility
As mandated by federal regulation, a student is eligible to participate in McNair Scholars if the student meets all four of the following requirements:
1. Is a citizen or national of the United States; or
- Is a permanent resident of the United States; or
- Is in the United States for other than a temporary purpose and provides evidence from the
- Immigration and Naturalization Service of his or her intent to become a permanent resident; or
- Is a permanent resident of Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, or the Trust Territory of the
- Pacific Islands; or
- Is a resident of one of the Freely Associated States.
2. Is currently enrolled in a degree program at The University of Texas at Austin.
3. Is…
- A low-income individual who is a first-generation college student; and/or
- A member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate education (i.e., Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Native American Pacific Islanders)*;
4. Has NOT enrolled in ANY post-baccalaureate programs at an institution of higher education.
* For details, please reference 34 CFR 647.3(c)(3) (Authority: 20 U.S.C. 1070a-15) and 34 CFR 647.7 “Groups underrepresented in graduate education”
Apply
To apply, please follow the application procedure detailed below. Please complete all requirements fully and accurately.
Again, if you are a first-generation and low-income student, we encourage you apply.
Application Procedure
To complete an application, please submit all five of the following:
1. McNair Scholars Application (Click here to access. Please sign electronically.)
2. Statement of Purpose and Research Experience Essay MS Word (.docx or .doc) or PDF format, and no more than 1000 words. This is one essay that addresses both your research experience, interests, and aspirations, alongside your goals, preparations, and motivations for pursuing a doctoral degree. Please see prompt in the application. Please upload into application.
3. Curriculum Vitae (CV) including, but not limited to, a list of all academic honors, distinctions, scholarships, memberships in academic and extracurricular organizations, and participation in academic activities, including research experiences. Please upload into application.
4. Recent copy, either 2022 or 2023, of the IRS Form 1040 Individual Income Tax Return.
Note: Form 1040 is the strongly preferred and easiest option, but these other proof of household’s taxable income will suffice: (A) a signed statement from the individual’s parent or guardian, (B) verification from another governmental source, (C) a signed financial aid (i.e., FAFSA) application. See further instructions in application. Please upload into application.
5. Three (3) Letters of Recommendation, at least two (2) of which must come from higher-education faculty who can speak to your researching and writing skills. Additional recommendations do not increase chances of selection. Please provide this link — tinyurl.com/y5p2zrnd — to your recommenders; recommenders should submit directly via this form.
Apply utexas-mcnair.mylacai.com/apply.php
