What is the GVSU McNair Scholars Program?

The GVSU McNair Scholars Program provides support to first generation students with significant financial need, or members of racial and ethnic groups that are traditionally underrepresented in careers that require Ph.Ds. The goal of the program is to provide students support in undergraduate research, graduate school preparation, and the graduate school application process. 


McNair Program Benefits

McNair Scholars receive a wide range of financial resources and professional development training to support the pursuit of a Ph.D in any academic field of study.

The benefits of our program include:

  • a stipend of up to $4,000 while doing summer research
  • Experience working directly with Ph.D. faculty at GVSU
  • Free, on-campus housing while doing summer research
  • Funding for Graduate School visits
  • Funding to attend and present at academic conferences
  • Free tutoring
  • Free writing course for graduate school preparation taught by a Ph.D. faculty member at GVSU (spring/summer only)
  • Advising for career assessment and planning
  • Education or advising services that improve financial and economic literacy of students
  • Training on how to locate, apply for, and win scholarships, fellowships, and grants
  • Public speaking and presentation training
  • Summer internships
  • Seminars and other educational activities designed to prepare students for Ph.D. study
  • Assistance with drafting graduate school application materials
  • Academic advising
  • Activities that teach students how to gain admittance into Ph.D. programs
  • Exposure to cultural events and academic enrichment programs
  • Preparation for graduate school entrance exams

 


Timeline

McNair is a 15-month program, split by semester. Scholars progress through each stage of the program based on performance, commitment, and effort. 

 

WINTER

Timeframe

Activity

September - October

Recruitment and Information Sessions

2022-2023 Cohort Deadline: October 31, 2022

November - December

Application and interview process 

January – April

  • Career seminars
  • Initial professional development series
  • Summer on-boarding
    • Preparation of research proposal
    • Confirmation of faculty mentor
    • Preparation of Individualized Development Plans (IDP)

SUMMER -Summer Research Experience

Timeframe

Activity

May - July (12 weeks)

  • 30 hours per week of summer research
    • Regular meetings with McNair Mentor
  • Bi-weekly meetings with McNair Director
  • GS-WRAP Course (Graduate School Writing and Application Preparation)
  • GRE tutoring (math and verbal)
  • GSP seminars (Graduate Success Preparation - topics include academic presentations, grad school funding, time management, imposter syndrome, mental health, etc.)

FALL

Timeframe

Activity

August - December

  • Final manuscript submission
  • Summer Scholars Showcase
  • Graduate school applications
  • Academic conference presentations
  • Bi-weekly cohort meetings 
  • Monthly meetings with McNair Program Director
  • Continued professional development 
  • Undergraduate degree completion support

 

 

WINTER (second year)

Timeframe

Activity

January - February

Graduate school visits + Selection

March - April

Preparation for graduate school relocation and graduation

*Please note that this schedule may vary depending on the student’s academic schedule and programming changes


Eligibility

Students who are interested in this program must be:

  • A first-generation college student – with a limited income
    First generation means: 
    • A student neither of whose natural or adoptive parents received a bachelors degree prior to the applicant turning age 18 ; OR
    • A student who, prior to the age of 18, regularly lived with and received support from only one parent, and that supporting parent did not receive a bachelors degree.
    • An individual who, prior to the age of 18, did not regularly live with or receive support from a natural or an adoptive parent (e.g. a ward of the state of foster child).

     OR

  • A member of an underrepresented group in graduate education (African American, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiian, Native Pacific Islander

*A Scholar may be both first-gen with limited income AND an underrepresented student of color.

Additionally, students must:

  • Be a citizen or a permanent resident of the U.S.
  • Have and maintain a 2.5 GPA overall
  • Have an interest in conducting research (research is required one or two summers with the program)
  • Dedication to earning a Ph.D. in any major (commitment to pursuing a Ph.D, regardless of your field of study, is a program requirement)

Students pursuing MD (only), JD, PharmD, PT, OT, DNP, and DDS are not eligible for the McNair Scholars Program
 

To check whether you are eligible, complete our eligibility survey

McNair Scholars Program Eligibility Survey


Selection Process

  1. Review the McNair website for information on eligibility and benefits of the program as well as our Frequently Asked Questions
  2. Submit an Interest Form for review
  3. Meet with the McNair Director in-person or via Zoom to discuss your interest in the program and its requirements
  4. Submit official McNair application (emailed to eligible students after meeting with the McNair Director)

Applicants need to complete an application (application form, personal statement, tax documents {if applicable}, and 2 letters of recommendation from faculty) which will be reviewed by the McNair Scholars Selection Committee. Students will then be invited in for a 30-minute interview, after which selection determinations are made.

 Applications are accepted throughout the year for the fall, though the priority application deadline is mid- to late October. After October, applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and admittances are made as roster spots are available. McNair is limited to 34 students per year.

The Priority Application Deadline for 2022-2023 is October 31, 2022. 

Current Fall Semester Programming

Month

Events

September

8: Scholars Summer Showcase: Kirkhoff 4pm-7pm

19: Introduction to Research: Recording Available Monday (OURS Event)

21: Financial Literacy (TRIO SSS)

22: Time Management (TRIO SSS)

29: Research 101: 2201 Kirkhof Center 2:30pm-3:30pm (OURS Event)

October

6th: Graduate Apps Workshop Kirkhof RM 2266 4-5pm

7th:: TRIO Open House 4-7pm

10-13th: Midterm Breakroom: STU 200 8am-6pm (TRIO Event)

18th:: Professional Communication: 2201 Kirkhof 4-5pm (OURS Event)

19th: McNair Open House: Kirkhof RM 2250 4-7pm

November

8th: First Gen Day

16th: Mental Health Awareness Event: Counseling 4-5pm

17th: What Problem Do you Want to Solve? Developing Your Research Question: 2201 Kirkhof 4-5pm (OURS Event)

December

5-8th: Finals Breakroom

8th: McNair Finals Breakroom



Page last modified September 26, 2022