Academic Achievement Programs, University of Maryland, College Park

Program Objectives
The approved program objectives for the McNair Program are SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, relational, and time-specific). The objectives are:

Ninety percent (90%) of McNair participants will complete research and scholarly activities that will directly impact their progression each McNair Program academic year.
Eighty percent (80%) of new participants served in each McNair Program academic year will attain a baccalaureate degree within three years.
Fifty percent (50%) of bachelor’s degree recipients will enroll in a post-baccalaureate program by the fall of the term of the academic year immediately following completion of that degree.
Thirty percent (30%) of McNair Program participants will attain a doctoral degree within 10 years of the attainment the bachelor’s degree.

Source: 2007 Grant Proposal

Learning Outcomes
Given the legislative intent of the McNair Scholars Program, as a result of their McNair experiences, participants will be able to:

Distinguish between undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral-level education;
Research and identify potential graduate programs in their field of study;
Research and identify potential sources of financial support for graduate study;
Develop a cogent research design;
Describe and present their research at national conferences and to varied audiences;
Describe and explain pathways and obstacles to the professoriate.

Evidence of Success
To demonstrate achievement of objectives and learning outcomes, the program will:

Establish clear learning outcomes for all program activities
Assess, measure and report progress on the federally-approved objectives each year.
Administer questionnaires and surveys at least annually to assess and measure student knowledge and skills
Administer questionnaires and surveys at least annually to assess and measure mentors’ perceptions of McNair scholars’ knowledge, skills, and readiness for graduate school and doctoral study
Administer exit-interviews to graduating scholars
Administer alumni/ae surveys to assess and measure impact of services on scholars’ status after exiting the program
Publish McNair scholars’ research abstracts or papers
Organize a forum at least annually where McNair scholars present their research
Assess, measure and report annually scholars’ performance in summer research classes
Assess, measure and report outcomes and scholars’ perceptions of workshops and select program activities

MISSION

The mission of the University of Maryland Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is to increase the number of undergraduates enrolling in graduate school to pursue doctoral degrees.

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CARI: A STATEMENT OF VALUES

Given the legislative intent and purposes of the McNair Scholars Program and the mission of Academic Achievement Programs, the following primary values are espoused in all that we do:

Commitment - We believe in commitment to all participants to ensure their success and believe that participants should demonstrate a commitment to achieving success.
Achievement - We believe that all participants can achieve their goals and believe that achievement of objectives must be demonstrated.
Research - We believe that strong research skills will contribute to life-long success.
Integrity - We believe that personal character contributes to success and that honesty and sincerity should be transparent in our work and our interactions with students.

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ELIGIBILITY

Eligible students are:

Students with:
a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.85 in the major or
exceptional academic progress in the two preceding semesters or
exceptional academic progress in the last 30 hours of academic credits
Students interested in attending graduate school;
Students interested in pursuing a non-professional (e.g., J.D., MD, MBA) doctoral degree. Students interested in a joint professional and traditional academic doctoral degree are eligible to apply;
Full-time sophomores (60 credits), juniors and, on rare occasion, seniors who can commit to a summer research experience;
Students enrolled at the University of Maryland College Park, Frostburg State University, or Saint Mary's College of Maryland;
Students who are traditionally under-represented in graduate school or specific graduate programs;
Students who meet financial and family education requirements; and
Transfer students who meet all the above requirements.

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QUALITIES AND ATTRIBUTES

Because we are preparing the next generation of problem-solvers, scholars, public intellectuals, professors, and leaders, we consider the following qualities:

Self-motivated
Mature, responsible and reliable
Potential for leadership
Honesty, sincerity and integrity
A commitment to research
An activist spirit
A desire to discover new knowledge

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PROGRAM SERVICES

The program offers these services:

Preparation for graduate school admissions tests
Supplemental academic advising
Graduate school advising
Tutoring
Research mentoring
Paid summer research internship
Assistance with identification and acquisition of graduate school financing
Assistance with graduate school applications
Advanced writing classes
Opportunities to present research at national McNair Conferences
Research preparation classes/seminars
Academic development workshops

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WHEN TO APPLY

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Student may apply as early as second semester of freshmen year.

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APPLICATION PROCESS

View recruitment presentation "In Search of the Next Generation of Faculty, Researchers and Scholars: A Recruitment Presentation"
Attend a recruitment presentation
Complete and submit an application:
Completed application form supplying information on background and skills
Statement of Purpose outlining graduate studies objectives and how participation in the program will help meet those objectives
All official transcripts, including from transfer institutions
Three letters of recommendation appraising the student's academic abilities and potential to successfully complete graduate level work. Two of the letters must come from professors in the student's field of study or previous professors if a transfer student. The third letter of recommendation may come from a TRIO program director if student was or is a participant in a TRiO program or another individual who can speak to student’s character and other personal qualities.

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BENEFITS OF BEING A McNAIR SCHOLAR

Benefits to being a McNair Scholar include, for example:

Getting FREE academic skills support services to enhance your research and delivery skills
Getting FREE assistance with planning and preparing for graduate school
Getting FREE assistance with planning and preparing for doctoral-level education
Getting up to six FREE academic credits for research based on the summer McNair courses
Getting FREE housing and meals during the summer research experience
Getting FREE or REDUCED fee waivers when applying to select graduate schools
Being considered for financial support to take the GRE tests
Opportunities to attend graduate school visits
Opportunities to present your research at McNair research conferences
Getting a notation of participation on official University transcript
Getting a stipend to conduct research during the summer research experience
Getting connected to a larger national McNair community of student scholars
Getting additional, supplemental academic advising
Research mentoring from trained or practicing researchers
Being part of national TRiO community of caring professionals

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For additional information contact:

Wallace Southerland III, Ph.D.
Associate Director
2110 Marie Mount Hall
College Park, Maryland 20742
Phone: 301.405.4749
Fax: 301.314.7255
Email: mcnairscholar@umd.edu

APPLICATION TO GRADUATE SCHOOL

Asher, Donald. Graduate Admissions Essays--What Works, What Doesn't, and Why. Berkeley: Ten Speed Press, 1991.
This practical book details the step-by-step process for enrolling in graduate school, from choosing a school to planning the application process and drafting the personal statement.

Stelzer, Richard. How to Write A Winning Personal Statement. Princeton: Peterson's Guides, 1993.

This how-to book prompts the reader to gather information and then write a personal statement for medical or graduate school or for a scholarship application. The author includes examples of winning personal statements and tips from admissions representatives from leading professional and graduate schools.

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FAVORITE LINKS

USEFUL FORMS AND DOCUMENTS

Procedures for Completing the Uniform Abstract for the Partial Fulfillment of Research Experience Requirements
Mentor Confirmation and Change Form. (Updated on Apr 30,2008)
Request for a Mentor Form (New on Apr 28,2008)
Research Summary Profile Sheet (New on Apr 30,2008)
Participation and Honor Agreement (Updated on May 12, 2008)
Permission to Edit, Publish and Use Image
GRE Fee Reduction Certificate (Expires June 30, 2008)
Request Form for Conference Participation
Instructions and forms of I9 and W4 for Summer Research Institute
IRB: Request for Determination of Non-Human Subject or Non-Research
Summer Research and Learning Agreement (New)

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