Q: What does the application require?
A: The application asks for information to help the McNair staff determine your eligibility. Sections cover personal, family, financial and educational information. You will also be asked to write a brief personal statement describing your educational goals. The application includes a release form so that we may check your transcripts and financial aid status. Finally, it requires two letters of recommendation. This sounds like a lot – and it is – but it does not require a great deal of time to complete. See How to Apply for more information.

Q: How is “financial need” defined?
A: Guidelines are set by the federal government and vary according to family size. See Who Qualifies? for more information.

Q: What happens after I fill out an application?
A: After we have your completed application, letters of recommendation, transcripts and verification of financial aid (if any), the McNair staff reviews all materials. If you are qualified, you will be invited to an informal interview. Then, if you are McNair material, we will extend an invitation to join the program. See How to Apply for more information.

Q: How do I earn the $2800 stipend?
A: The $2800 stipend includes $2600 for summer research and $200 for attending 20 seminars through the academic year. For the summer research, you will work with a faculty mentor and produce a paper to be published in the McNair Research Review. You will also create a poster summarizing your research and you will orally present your findings to the MTSU community. For the seminars, you will attend weekly 1.5-hour sessions (10 per semester). See Benefits for You for more information.

Q: What is the summer program all about?
A: McNair requires a full-time commitment for summer research, defined as 37.5 hours per week. As mentioned in the previous Q&A, you will work with a faculty mentor. The mentor will guide you and will monitor your time. The summer program also includes weekly seminars. At the end of the summer, you will present your research at a symposium.

Q: How do I find a mentor?
A: If you already have a preference for a particular faculty mentor, discuss your choice with the McNair academic coordinator. (Your mentor will receive $500 for his/her services.) If you do not already have a preference, the academic coordinator will help you find a mentor in your field.

Q: What are the seminars all about?
A: Seminars are weekly 1.5-hour sessions with other McNair scholars. Seminars often feature guest speakers and cover such topics as the following: how to prepare a curriculum vitae, how to write a personal statement, graduate school experiences of former McNair scholars, GRE preparation, personal finance, organizing graduate school visits, how to create a poster, etiquette dinner and a variety of other topics.

Q: What special events am I expected to attend?
A: The Research Symposium where you present your research, weekly seminars, etiquette dinner, occasional cultural events (there will be no out-of-pocket expenses for these). Each semester, GRE prep classes will also be offered for interested scholars.

Q: What is the McNair Challenger Alliance?
A: This is the student organization associated with the McNair Program. All McNair scholars are strongly encouraged to join ($10 per year), in part because MCA members qualify for Student Government Association travel money to present their research at conferences. See MCA for more information.

Q: What does the GRE prep involve?
A: The GRE stands for Graduate Record Examination, a test required by most graduate schools. You will take a pre-test to determine your current proficiency level. You will then have several weeks of GRE training which will focus on test-taking strategies and content-related reviews. You will then take a post-test to measure your progress.

Q: Does McNair help me apply to graduate schools?
A: The McNair Program has resources for you to use that provide information on more than 1,200 graduate schools. The seminars will also help you create a curriculum vitae and help you write a personal statement to accompany your applications. If you wish, McNair staff will also review your applications and offer helpful tips. Your mentor will also offer advice and may have personal contacts at graduate schools of interest.

Q: Does McNair help me find scholarship money?
A: The McNair Program has resources on scholarships, grants and fellowships for you to use with a combined dollar amount of more than $6 billion. The McNair website also posts scholarship opportunities on a regular basis.