Sample Timeline
Info: This timeline is only a guide to show you how the program is outlined.
Summer 1 (students who have completed 60-credits in their degree program)
- Spring: Attend New scholar Orientation and Research Launch and Identify McNair Research Mentor
- Conduct 10-week research project
- Receive a summer 3-credit tuition waiver
- Receive a McNair stipend
- Receive summer meal plan allowance
- Apply for summer room waiver if living on campus
- Attend GRE Preparation Workshop the week before classes start in August
- Participate in educational and cultural excursion with mentors, graduate students, and program organizers
- Evaluate the summer McNair activities and project experiences
Junior Year
- Continue research with mentor on project (optional)
- Attend McNair Graduate School preparation fall seminar series, workshops, and research symposium
- Submit research abstract for McNair Research Symposium and MSU Research Conference
- Meet monthly with the Director, Scholar Support Specialist and McNair Faculty Mentor
- Prepare for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) exam (Attend McNair workshop on GRE and pre/post practice exams)
- Prepare graduate school applications (i.e. drafting personal statements, take official GRE, etc.)
Summer 2 (students who have completed junior year)
- Conduct 10-week research project (and/or internship)
- Receive a summer 3-credit tuition waiver
- Receive a McNair stipend
- Receive summer meal plan
- Apply for summer room waiver if living on campus
- Participate educational and cultural excursions with mentors, graduate students, and program organizers
- Serve as a Peer Mentor to new McNair scholars
Senior Year
- Continue research with McNair mentor (optional)
- Attend lectures, workshops, and social events
- Final preparation of graduate school applications
- Take the GRE
- Visit a graduate school(s)
- Apply to graduate schools
- Apply for graduate school fellowships, scholarships, and other funding opportunities
- Submit abstract to the National Conference on Undergraduate Research (NCUR) or a discipline-specific regional or national meeting
- Present research in either poster or oral formate at the MSU's Spring Research Celebration
- Meet regularly with the Director and Scholar Support Specialist
- As needed, utilize the Writing Center, Math Center, and other academic and student support services offered by TRIO and MSU
- Immediately enroll into a graduate school program
Graduation & Enrollment in Graduate School
MSU's McNair Scholars Program staff will be in contact with you to get annual updates as to your graduate school successes.