Penn State University Penn State University McNair ScholarsMcNair Scholars

Program Information SessionProgram Information Sessionfor Penn State Math Clubfor Penn State Math Club

Presenter:Presenter:Teresa TassottiTeresa Tassotti

DirectorDirectorMcNair Scholars Program McNair Scholars Program

September 22, 2008September 22, 2008

IS MCNAIR FOR YOU?IS MCNAIR FOR YOU?

Have you ever considered going Have you ever considered going beyond the Bachelor’s degree and beyond the Bachelor’s degree and earning a doctorate? earning a doctorate?

Do you have a strong desire to Do you have a strong desire to conduct research? conduct research?

To teach at the university level? To teach at the university level?

WHO ARE WE?WHO ARE WE?

The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is a federal TRIO program. Achievement Program is a federal TRIO program.

The program prepares undergraduates to The program prepares undergraduates to succeed in doctoral study by engaging them in succeed in doctoral study by engaging them in research and scholarly activities while still research and scholarly activities while still undergraduates.undergraduates.

There are 180 McNair programs operating on There are 180 McNair programs operating on college campuses across the country.college campuses across the country.

WHO WAS DR. RONALD E. WHO WAS DR. RONALD E. MCNAIR?MCNAIR?

Dr. Ronald E. McNair was nationally recognized for his work Dr. Ronald E. McNair was nationally recognized for his work in the field of laser physics and received many honorary in the field of laser physics and received many honorary degrees, fellowships and commendations. He earned his degrees, fellowships and commendations. He earned his PhD from MIT at the early age of 26.PhD from MIT at the early age of 26.

In 1978 Dr. McNair was selected for the NASA space In 1978 Dr. McNair was selected for the NASA space program and he was the second African American to fly in program and he was the second African American to fly in space. space.

His life ended tragically on January 28, 1986 His life ended tragically on January 28, 1986 when the Challenger space shuttle exploded, when the Challenger space shuttle exploded, taking the life of Dr. McNair and six other taking the life of Dr. McNair and six other astronauts.astronauts.

PROGRAM BENEFITSPROGRAM BENEFITS

Workshops and seminars Workshops and seminars

Faculty advisors and mentors Faculty advisors and mentors

Individualized assistance Individualized assistance

Summer research internshipSummer research internship

The Penn State McNair JournalThe Penn State McNair Journal

Annual Penn State McNair Summer Research Conference Annual Penn State McNair Summer Research Conference

Travel to graduate schools/programs and other conferencesTravel to graduate schools/programs and other conferences

WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY?WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY? Minimum 45 hours or more of college level work by the end Minimum 45 hours or more of college level work by the end

of the current fall semesterof the current fall semester

At least one summer available At least one summer available beforebefore graduation to conduct graduation to conduct a research projecta research project

Minimum 3.00 cumulative GPAMinimum 3.00 cumulative GPA

U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. residentU.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident

Member of family with limited financial resources Member of family with limited financial resources andand be be the first-generation to complete a baccalaureate degree the first-generation to complete a baccalaureate degree or or be a member of a group that is underrepresented in be a member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate education graduate education

Intend to graduate from Penn State and immediately enter Intend to graduate from Penn State and immediately enter a graduate program with the goal of attaining a Ph.D. (This a graduate program with the goal of attaining a Ph.D. (This program is not open to students pursuing medical or law program is not open to students pursuing medical or law degrees)degrees)

HOW DO I APPLY TO PROGRAM HOW DO I APPLY TO PROGRAM FOR AY 2008-09?FOR AY 2008-09?

Application materials are available in 111 Kern Application materials are available in 111 Kern Building. Building.

AY 2008-09 recruitment/application period runs AY 2008-09 recruitment/application period runs now through November 7, 2008.now through November 7, 2008.

Students interviewed before Thanksgiving break Students interviewed before Thanksgiving break with program admissions committee.with program admissions committee.

Students selected and notified over Thanksgiving Students selected and notified over Thanksgiving break.break.

New Student Orientation: December 1, 2008New Student Orientation: December 1, 2008

HOW TO CONTACT US?HOW TO CONTACT US?McNair Scholars ProgramMcNair Scholars Program

111 Kern Building111 Kern BuildingPenn State UniversityPenn State University

University Park, PA 16802University Park, PA 16802

Phone: (814) 863-1095Phone: (814) 863-1095Fax: (814) 863-9822Fax: (814) 863-9822Email: Email: txt6@psu.edutxt6@psu.edu

Website: Website: www.gradsch.psu.edu/diversity/mcnair.htmlwww.gradsch.psu.edu/diversity/mcnair.html