Program Description: About the Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program Part of the federally funded TRIO programs, the Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program (Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program) is designed to encourage low-income, first-generation college students and students from groups currently underrepresented in graduate education to pursue a doctoral degree in their chosen field. The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program is named in honor of Dr. Ronald E. McNair, (North Carolina A&T State University graduate), one of seven crew members aboard the Space Shuttle Challenger. Despite social and economic barriers, Dr. McNair earned many outstanding achievements such as completing a Ph.D. in Physics from M.I.T. at the age of 26 and was the second African-American
to fly in space. In addition, Dr. McNair received many distinguished awards, including the National Ford Foundation Fellowship and the Presidential Scholarship.
The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program at NC State is one of 18 programs at colleges and universities across the country, one of 7 programs in North Carolina and part of a group of federal programs known collectively as TRIO. The McNair Scholars Program helps qualified undergraduate students prepare for admission to doctoral programs and the successful pursuit of PhD degrees. The Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program provides undergraduates with critical research experiences, GRE preparation sessions, faculty mentoring, professional skills, and assistance with the
graduate school application process at no cost to the student. Participants are required to be engaged in academic research.
To the Recommender: Thank you for assisting the applicant with their TRIO Ronald E. McNair Scholars Program application. In order to ensure accurate evaluation of the applicant, we request that you complete this form in confidence and return it to the requester in a sealed envelope. The requester will include it as part of their application packet. If it is more convenient, you may submit this form directly to our office through the link provided by the student.
Waiver of Confidentiality Rights by applicant:
I have asked {recommendersName} to complete a recommendation for me in support of my application to the Ronald E. McNair Program. I hereby waive my right to inspect the comments which appear on this form and attachments of continuation. I understand I am not required to waive that right as a condition for admission.