Applying to SIU McNair Scholars Program
The Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program is a comprehensive program structured to prepare undergraduates for successful careers as graduate students, professors, and professional researchers. The program is an educational opportunity program funded under the Higher Education Act of 1965 collectively known as TRIO Programs. The McNair Scholars Program is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and provides enriching educational experiences for low-income, first-generation college students and members of underserved groups in higher education. At Southern Illinois University Carbondale, the McNair Scholars Program accommodates twenty-eight (28) students each year. All students participate in academic year and summer activities until they graduate. McNair Scholars are motivated students who have both the desire and the potential to earn a doctorate degree. By participating in the program, scholars increase and refine their academic skills as they learn tools that will help them be successful in graduate schools.
Applications are accepted each Fall and Spring semesters and the deadlines are: Nov.4 and Mar. 3. Please submit the following application materials to the McNair Scholars Office (C117 Woody Hall) by the end of business (4:30pm):
- STEP 1: Complete the “Can I Become a McNair Scholar” eligibility form (must be signed by a staff member)
- STEP 2: McNair Program application
- (2) Essays-Personal Statement, Research Statement, & Resume
- Most recent copy of IRS Tax Return
- Most recent copy of your FAFSA Student Aid Report (SAR)
- SIU Unofficial Transcript(If you are a transfer student you will need to supply a copy of your transcript from your previous institution(s) upon admission into the program)
- STEP 3: 3 Letters of Recommendation, two must be from faculty members
After the selection committee reviews the application packets, qualifying applicants will be invited for an interview within two weeks of application submission. Final decisions will be made within one week following the last interview. Please contact us if you have any questions.
Good Luck!
STEP 1: Can I Become a McNair Scholar?
The program helps motivated, high-achieving students prepare for and excel in graduate school. Students must meet a few eligibility requirements to apply to become an SIU Carbondale McNair Scholar. You must be a first-generation college student and fall within certain income guidelines. This form is provided to determine your eligibility before submitting an application. Please check all criteria that apply.
I have an overall grade point average that is at least a 2.7.
I am interested in pursuing a doctoral degree after receiving your bachelor’s degree.
I am a U.S. citizen or I meet the residency requirements for federal student financial assistance.
- I am a first generation college student because my parents (or guardians) have not earned a bachelor’s degree.
- I am low-income based on the Federal Trio Programs Annual Low-Income Levels as shown in the chart below:
- I am a member of a group traditionally underrepresented in doctoral programs including women in certain STEM fields as documented by the most recent report on Women, Minorities, and Persons with Disabilities in Science and Engineering,
I certify that the information above is true and correct to the best of my knowledge. I grant permission to the SIU McNair Program to access my educational records.
Student Name(print):______/ Student’s Signature: ______Signature: ______/ Date: ______
McNair Staff Signature:______/ Date:______
FOR OFFICE USE ONLY: Application Date: __/____
Eligibility: __FGLI __UR / Unofficial Transcript GPA :____
Income Verification:___ FAFSA ___ Tax Form
Transfer Student: / __ NO / __YES
Essays: / __Personal / ___Research / ___ Resume
___Letter 1 / ___ Letter 2 / ___ Letter 3
___ Accepted / SRI Date:
___ Denied (reason):
Initial & Date:
STEP 2: Before completing this application, please meet with a McNair staff member to complete the verification process in STEP 1.
- APPLICANT’S INFORMATION
SIU ID # / Social Security #
Birthdate: / Hometown: / (Listed in press releases)
Name: / Last Name: / First Name: / Middle Name:
Current Address: / Street / City / State, Zip
Permanent
Address: / Street / City / State, Zip
Email Address: / Local Phone: / Alternate Phone:
Gender: / ___ Female ___ Male / Marital Status: / ___ Single ___Married
___ Divorced
Citizenship / ____ U.S. Citizen / ___Permanent Resident#______
Expiration Date:______/ ___ Other (specify) ______
Ethnicity: / ___ African American
___ Alaskan Native / ___ Caucasian
___ Hispanic/Latino/a / ___Native American
___Other (specify)______
Have you been or are you currently a participant in any of these programs?
___Talent Search
___Upward Bound / ___REACH
___Research Rookies / ___First Scholars
___University Honors Program / ___Undergrad Assistantships
___ILSAMP
Current Employment: / Total # of Hours Weekly:
Summer Research Institute: Will you be available for the 8-week Summer Research Program(40hrs per week)?
During the Summer Research Program, you will not be allowed to take classes or work outside of the program.) ___ Yes ___ No
Emergency Contact: / Name / Phone
- EDUCATION
Classification: / ___Sophomore ___Junior ___Senior ___ Other(specify):
Total # of earned credit hours: / Total # of credit hours this semester: / Current overall GPA:
What is your current major? / When do you expect to graduate?
(Month/year):
Are you a transfer student?
If yes, please list institutionlocation.
___ No __ Yes / Name of Institution City & State
What level of education do you see yourself completing? / ___ Uncertain ___Bachelor’s ___Master’s ___Ph.D. ___ Other (specify)______
What is your proposed field of graduate study?
Please list your current research interest within your discipline
- FAMILY INFORMATION
Mother’s (Guardian’s) Name: / (Last, First M.)
Mother’s (Guardian’s) Highest level of education attained (please check)
Less than High School High School Some College Bachelor’s Master’s Doctorate
Father’s (Guardian’s) Name: / (Last, First M.)
Father’s (Guardian’s)Highest level of education attained (please check)
____Less than High School High School Some College Bachelor’s Master’s Doctorate
- INCOME VERIFICATION
Attach a copy of your FAFSA’s Student Aid Report (SAR) and a copy of your family’s most recent tax form for income verification ( Form 1040, 1040 EZ or Family financial statement or other evidence of taxable income)
What is the number of individuals living in your family household?______
I am considered Dependent Student by the SIU Financial Aid Office.
Did your parents file a federal tax return for last year? Yes No
If yes, what was theirTAXABLE income? ______
*Please provide a copy of the appropriate tax return.
I am considered Independent Student by the SIU Financial Aid Office.
(This means you are at least 24 years of age, or a veteran, orphan, married, or have dependents other than a spouse.)
Did you file a federal tax return for last year? Yes No
If yes, what was theirTAXABLE income? ______
*Please provide a copy of the appropriate tax return.
- RESUME 1-pg (Turn in with your application)
Please provide a 1-page resume that lists your employment, academic honors, distinctions, scholarships, memberships, leadership positions, volunteer hours, research activities and other academic or enrichment experiences that demonstrate your commitment to academic excellence and scholarship.
- TWO ESSAYS (Turn in with your application)
- Personal/Professional Statement (2 pages)
DO NOT use lists or bullets in your personal statement. Your essay should address the following areas:
- Your ultimate educational and career goals, including why you are interested in attending graduate school.
- Your personal attributes and professional skills that will enable you to achieve your goals, including any weaknesses or obstacles that may be a challenge to your success.
- Why you are interested in participating and what you hope to accomplish through your involvement in the SIU McNair Scholars Program.
- Statement of Research experiences and Interests (up to 1 page )
- LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS
Three letters of recommendation are required; at least two letters should be solicited from faculty members who have knowledge of your academic performance, research experiences, and/or professional goals. See separate Recommendation Form. Your recommendations can be mailed directly to the McNair Office or placed in a signed envelope and included in your application packet. Once received, these confidential references will become the property of the McNair Program. Provide name, position/title, and contact information for each reference who have agreed to write about your qualifications and potential for success in graduate study.
Name: / Title: / Institution:
Address: / City, St, Zip:
Telephone: / Email:
Name: / Title: / Institution:
Address: / City, St, Zip:
Telephone: / Email:
Name: / Title: / Institution:
Address: / City, St, Zip:
Telephone: / Email:
8. SIU Carbondale McNair Scholars Program Release Form
This release form enables the McNair Scholars Program at Southern Illinois University Carbondale to obtain copies of all academic and financial aid records, including transcripts, grade reports, financial aid eligibility, and other information pertaining to my possible enrollment in the McNair Program. This information may be shared with other university personnel in accordance with federal regulations and university policy.
I understand that a copy of my application form will be kept on file at the McNair Scholars Program Office and that the resulting information received from counselors, admission and financial aid officers, instructors, etc. will be kept confidential in compliance with the Family Rights and Privacy Act.
If I am accepted into the program, I grant permission for the McNair Scholars Program to use photographs or likenesses of myself in various publications.
I hereby certify to the best of my knowledge that all information submitted is complete and accurate. I understand that failure to disclose information, or falsification of information, are grounds for not being accepted to the SIUC McNair Program and, if accepted into the program, grounds for immediate termination.
Printed Name:
Signature: / Date:
STEP 3: Three recommendations are required; at least two should be solicited from faculty members who have knowledge of your academic performance, research experiences, and/or professional goals. Please provide each person completing a recommendation reference with a copy of this form.
STEP 3: RECOMMENDATION FORMApplicant’s Name: / SIU ID#
Proposed Field of Graduate Study :
Optional Waiver: I voluntarily waive all rights to review this letter of recommendation conferred by the Family Education Rights & Privacy Act of 1974.
Signature______Date: ______
The person named above is applying to the SIU Carbondale McNair Scholars Program. We are a federally funded program that provides training and support to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who are from groups underrepresented in graduate education. McNair Scholars receive support for continued professional activities including undergraduate research, publication, conference attendance, graduate school visits, and other activities that support the pursuit of doctoral study. We would appreciate your honest evaluation of the applicant’s personality, character, and professional and academic promise. In your statement, please discuss the applicant’s strengths and weaknesses and give the basis of your opinion. We wish to select bright and motivated students who will benefit from our program. You may include a letter in addition to this form. Thank you for taking the time to complete this form.
1)For how long and in what capacity have you known the applicant?
2)Please comment on the applicant’s academic strengths.
3)To what extent do you believe that the applicant could benefit from the McNair Scholars Program?
SIU McNair Scholars Program (Page 2)
Using the scale provided below, how does the applicant compare in the following areas to students
inthe same field of study with similar training and experience?
Below Average / Average / Above Average / Out-standing / Except-ional / No Basis for Judgment
Academic Aptitude and Potential for Graduate School
Present Academic Performance in Area of Concentration
Ability to work with others
Willingness to accept constructive feedback
Emotional Maturity
Self-Confidence
Self-Reliance and Independence
Ability in written expression
Please indicate the strength of your overall endorsement of the applicant (check one)
I highly recommend the applicant.I recommend the applicant with some reservations.
I do not recommend the applicant.
Name______Title______
Institution______
Email______Phone______
Signature______Date______
Please Check: ___Faculty Member ___Other(specify)______