Get more answers to your questions about the McNair Scholars Program below.
To be considered first-generation, a student must meet one of the following conditions:
If your parent(s) and/or guardian(s) attended college but do not have a bachelor’s degree (i.e., did not graduate), you are considered to be first-generation.
See the eligibility criteria.
No. Only U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents are eligible to apply for this federally-funded U.S. Department of Education program.
The McNair Scholars Program has rolling admissions. However, we would like to receive applications by either August 30, January 4 or June 1 of each academic year.
See the application requirements.
Two letters of recommendation from faculty are required for the application, at least one from a Hunter College faculty. Recommendations from employers will not be accepted.
Please use the online Recommendation Form to submit recommendations.
No, your major does not matter as long as your intent is to attend graduate school and want to earn a PhD in your field of study.
Faculty research mentors are chosen by the McNair scholar with assistance from the McNair staff to aid in selecting and designing appropriate research projects that can be completed during the academic year. Faculty research mentors supervise all research-related activities and offer support and advice for graduate school opportunities.
Yes. The program expects scholars to apply to PhD programs during their senior year as an undergraduate student. The program understands that not all scholars may attend a graduate program immediately following their completion of their bachelor’s degree, however the program expectations as mandated by federal objectives are to complete a doctoral degree within ten (10) years of attaining their bachelor’s degree.
At least one year in advance. If you follow the McNair Scholars Program timeline you should be ready in time. We encourage all students in our program to begin preparing for the graduate school application process during the end of their junior year.
Yes, graduate programs in the U.S. require current GRE scores. The McNair program offers a free GRE preparation course to help you practice for the exam.
The minimum amount of credits needed to become a McNair scholar is 60 credits (junior status). If you have less than two academic semesters left, you would not qualify for the program.