Frequently Asked Questions
You must be enrolled in an undergraduate degree program at CSULB to be considered for the program. The program prefers that students are enrolled full time, but makes exceptions for advanced students that do not need additional credits.
Yes, we encourage undergraduate students from ALL majors to apply for the program.
No, you cannot be participating in both programs.
No, students who have already completed a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science are not eligible to participate in the program. This program is for junior or senior-level undergraduate students only.
No, students who have already completed a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science are not eligible to participate in the program. This program is for junior or senior-level undergraduate students only.
Yes. We ask that every applicant has 2+ semesters (including summer) left before graduation.
The majority of the program content is delivered through academic seminars. The assignments and activities for the seminars are to help you create compelling applications to graduate and Ph.D. programs. The time will be contingent on student schedules. If accepted into the program, you will also be required to participate in a Summer Research Internship Program and present at local and national conferences.
No. While we are called the McNair Scholars Program, this is an undergraduate research fellowship rather than a traditional scholarship. The program does not provide money to pay for your tuition like a scholarship would. Instead, this is an undergraduate research program that helps prepare undergraduates for graduate school and academic research. There is $2,800 stipend associated with completing a research project.
You are not required to have a faculty mentor at the time of applying. We encourage students to always make appointments with professors during their office hours. This is a great way to get to know your professors and to also get more out of the classes you are taking. Let your professors know that you are interested in conducting undergraduate research and that you are applying to the CSULB McNair Scholars Program. Scholars are expected to have a mentor by the end of spring semester.
Low-income is determined based on the federal guidelines (that considers income and household size). We review this information on your application, if you have specific questions, please contact McNair@csulb.edu. First-generation is determined based on your application, and if you indicate that neither of your parents/guardians have earned a 4-year college degree Underrepresented is determined based on the federal definition, which includes the following underrepresented minority groups within graduate education: Black/African American - non-Hispanic; Hispanic/Latino, American Indian/Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander.
No. Only US Citizens or Permanent Residents are eligible to apply for this federally-funded US Department of Education program.
It is not required that you have a formulated research question and topic prior to applying. However, in your application essay, we do request that you discuss a potential research question and topic that you would be interested in exploring for your McNair research project. This is an undergraduate research program and having an idea of what you might like to explore will help you do well in the program.
Our program is designed specifically for students who are interested in obtaining a Ph.D. It is best to discuss your uncertainties and questions prior to submitting your application materials.
No. Our program is designed specifically for students who are interested in obtaining a Ph.D.
No. Our program is designed specifically for students who are interested in obtaining a Ph.D.
We recommend that you email McNair and talk to a faculty or academic advisor about how to strengthen your application.
At least one year in advance. We encourage all students in our program to begin preparing for the graduate school application process during their junior year.
Many graduate students get comprehensive funding packages, and the McNair staff will prepare you to be competitive for institutional and extramural funding opportunities.
No. McNair Scholars apply to and are accepted by graduate schools nationwide.
We encourage our students to take the GRE. Graduate programs in the U.S. often require current GRE scores.
Graduate school preparation, travel to conferences and graduate school fairs, academic and professional workshops, and a paid research internship, among many other benefits.
Research through another program can provide a head start for McNair. It can also provide an opportunity to work with a diverse set of faculty members.
Faculty Research Experience and Expertise (FREE) is a searchable electronic database that includes research experience and expertise of faculty at CSULB. The purpose of the FREE is to foster research collaborations and partnerships among faculty at CSULB, colleagues at other educational institutions, industry partners, and government agencies.
