McNair Program

A student is eligible to participate in McNair if they meet all the following requirements:

• Citizen/Residency: Be a citizen, national, or permanent resident of the United States, a U.S. territory, or Freely Associated States.
• Enrollment: Be currently enrolled full-time at Wesleyan University.
• Background: Be both a low-income individual and a first-generation student.
• Goal: Be interested in conducting undergraduate research and pursuing a Ph.D.

Unfortunately, you are not eligible. Since the McNair Program is a federally-funded U.S. Department of Education program, eligibility is strictly limited to U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents.

We highly recommend a minimum 3.0 GPA, as this makes you a more competitive applicant for most Ph.D. programs. If you are very close to a 3.0 GPA, we encourage you to apply. However, please be aware that if you are accepted, the program may require you to participate in appropriate university services (such as tutoring or academic counseling) to ensure your GPA increases each semester.

Prior research experience or current placement in a lab is a significant advantage, but it is not a requirement. The McNair Program is designed to provide research opportunities and mentorship to promising students who are just beginning their research careers. 

However, we do request that your application essay discuss a potential research question and topic you would be interested in exploring for your McNair project. Having an initial idea of what you'd like to explore is helpful for us to understand your academic goals. 

If your parent(s)/guardian(s) did not file taxes or you are an independent student, please contact Ronnie Hendrix at rhendrix@wesleyan.edu to request a non-tax filer form. This form is necessary to complete your application.

You are required to submit two letters of recommendation.

Required Sources:

• Primary Requirement: At least one letter must be from a faculty member. 
• Flexibility for 2nd-Year Students: We understand that 2nd-year students may not have two faculty members who know them well enough yet. If you are unable to obtain a second letter from faculty, you may substitute the second letter with one from:
  • An academic advisor
  • Someone with whom you have worked closely in a research capacity
  • Someone who knows you very well (e.g., a supervisor in a professional setting).

You may also submit a third letter from one of the sources listed above. 

Tips for Choosing Your Recommenders:

• Choose Excellent Advocates: Always ask people whom you are confident will write strong, supportive letters for you.
• Focus on Relevant Experience: Select individuals who can speak specifically about your academic achievements and your potential for successfully completing the McNair Program, and, eventually, doctoral study. 
• Exclusion: Letters from immediate family members are not acceptable.

 

The McNair Program is a federally-funded program with the explicit mission to prepare students for, and encourage their enrollment in, Ph.D. programs.

While we understand that first-generation and low-income (FGLI) students have many career possibilities to consider, the program's funding is restricted to supporting those who aim for a doctoral degree.

Therefore, you must be committed to pursuing a Ph.D. (Doctor of Philosophy) degree to be eligible. We can not accept students whose primary goal is to pursue professional degrees such as a J.D. (Law), M.D. (Medicine), or other non.D. terminal degrees. 

To find the detailed criteria and requirements for the research stipend, please follow these steps.

1. Navigate to the McNair Fellows tab on our website. 
2. Click on the Current Fellows page. 

This page provides the most up-to-date information on the specific academic and program participation criteria you must meet to receive the stipend funding. 

Based on our understanding of federal and university guidelines, the McNair research stipend is not expected to negatively affect your current financial aid package. 

However, financial aid eligibility is determined on an individual basis. We strongly recommend that you contact the Wesleyan University Financial Aid Office directly to confirm how the stipend will be treated in your specific financial aid calculation. 

Faculty Research Mentors play a critical role in the McNair Fellow's academic and professional development. 

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Research Project Design and Selection: Assist the McNair Fellow in selecting and designing an appropriate research project and completing the McNair Research Proposal that can be successfully completed during the Summer Research Program or during the academic year.
• Research Supervision: Supervise all research-related activities, directing the Fellow in:
  • Appropriate background literature review.
  • Necessary research techniques and training.
• Graduate School Guidance: Offers advice and support regarding graduate school opportunities and the application process. 

Academic Support:

• Critique and Review: Review and provided constructive feedback on the Fellow's written abstracts, presentations, and research papers. 

Stipend Authorization and Compensation:

• Authorization: The Faculty Mentor must sign off on the Fellow's Research Proposal and Research Activity Logs for the Fellow to receive their research stipend.

No, you cannot work during the McNair Summer Research Program. 

The summer program requires your full-time commitment and is strictly devoted to research. As compensation for your full participation, you will receive a research stipend plus summer room and board. 

The McNair Program is highly focused on preparing Fellows for immediate entry into doctoral programs. 

• Application Expectation: Yes. Fellows are expected to apply to Ph.D. programs during the senior year of their undergraduate studies.
• Program Success: We have a strong track record, with a high percentage of Fellows enrolling in a graduate program immediately after obtaining their bachelor's degree.
• Ultimate Goal: While we realize enrollment timing may vary, the program has a firm expectation that all Fellows will attain a doctoral (Ph.D.) degree within ten (10) years of earning their bachelor's degree. 

You will formally begin preparing for graduate school applications during the spring of your junior year.

McNair Fellows are expected to enroll in the following 05. credit-bearing courses:

• Spring CIS400 Junior Seminar: This course is specifically designed to help Fellows begin preparing for the graduate school admission process.
• Fall CIS400 Senior Seminar: This course assists Fellows in refining and submitting their graduate school application materials.