Prospective Scholar Information

Students who are low-income and first-generation (neither parent has a bachelor's degree) or who are members of a group underrepresented in a graduate study and who have attained undergraduate junior level academic status (sophomores may be considered) are eligible to apply for the McNair Scholars Program.

McNair Scholars Program applications are available in Tower 2138 at the beginning of each academic year. The completed application (including an essay on career goals, and why you want to enter into graduate level study), an official college/university transcript, income eligibility information and two faculty letters of recommendation need to be returned to Tower 2138 for consideration as part of the current academic year's cohort.

Is Graduate School for You?

The decision to pursue a graduate education is one that will open many doors for you. Because you will become an expert in your field of study, obtaining an advanced degree means greater responsibility, increased salaries and the momentum to embark on a journey into the ever-changing realm of research and post-secondary instruction.

You will continue to acquire knowledge, develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills and have more opportunity to interface with the most experienced in your field.

If your personal and professional goals include these objectives, the decision to pursue a doctoral degree is the right one. The McNair Scholars Program at The College of St. Scholastica is designed to help prepare you for graduate school and to help you realize your dreams.

Am I Eligible?

As an applicant for the McNair Scholars Program you must meet one or more of the following criteria:

• Be income eligible AND
• Be first generation (neither parent has a bachelor's degree)

OR

• Be a member of a group underrepresented in graduate school, AND
• Have demonstrated academic ability, AND
• Have achieved junior class standing (sophomores may be considered), AND
• Have expressed a desire to complete doctoral work, AND
• Be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States.