Frequently Asked Questions

The McNair Scholars Program is a federally funded program to prepare undergraduate students for doctoral studies through research and other scholarly activities.

No. The McNair Scholars is similar to a fellowship experience. You receive a stipend while conducting research. 

No. McNair Scholars do not have to attend Kent State for graduate school. Our scholars apply and get accepted into graduate schools nationwide.

The McNair program objective is to prepare students for doctoral study, we encourage students to apply who are interested in attaining an advanced or terminal degree. 

We invite scholars from any and all majors to apply to the program. If you have interest in earning a doctoral degree, we encourage you to apply.

If you identify as African American, Latinx American, and/or Native American, you are eligible for the McNair Scholars Program.

SRI is an 8-week research intensive program where scholars collaborate with faculty mentors to expand scholar’s knowledge and experience in research methods, academic writing and public speaking. SRI also includes graduate school visits, academic and personal counseling, and graduate school workshops.

Scholars choose their research projects in consultation with the McNair Staff and their faculty mentor. This can be through designing their own research project or joining a faculty member with their current research.

We require our scholars to commit 30 hours of each week to research. In addition, SRI includes 10 hours of McNair programming weekly. This is a full-time job! We highly recommend that you do not work or take classes during the summer.

Scholars are responsible for finding their own mentors. McNair staff can support students in their search; however, students should be actively looking for a faculty mentor upon acceptance to the program.

In order to be eligible for the program, you must participate in the Summer Research Institute and cannot graduate in August. Scholars must be enrolled as a full-time student in the following semester fall.

Timeline:

• Fall, Year 1 - Application
• Spring, Year 1 - Interview
• Fall, Year 2 - Research Methods I
• Spring, Year 2 - Research Methods II
• Summer, Year 2 - SRI [60 credit hours required]
• Fall, Year 3 - Seminars
• Spring, Year 3 - Seminars

Scholars must take 2 semesters of research methods, participate in SRI, attend seminars during the fall and spring (depending on graduation), apply to 5 graduate schools, and participate in Comprehensive Success Planning .