Sonoma State University-McN-Application Form

Program Application
The McNair Scholars is a federally funded TRiO program requiring the information below to determine eligibility. All information supplied is kept strictly confidential by federal, state, and SSU standards.

The McNair Scholars Program has been designed to support only 27 SSU undergraduate students per year, and acceptance into the program is competitive. There is no formal deadline at this time; however, space in the program is limited, so please submit your application as soon as possible.
STUDENT INFORMATION
Full Legal Name:*

First NameLast Name
Preferred Name:
SSU ID #:
Date of Birth:

MonthDayYear
mm-dd-yyyy
Permanent Address:

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
Current/Local Address:

Street Address

Street Address Line 2

CityState / Province

Postal / Zip Code
SSU E-mail: *
example@example.com
Other E-mail:
example@example.com
Cell Number:
(999)999-9999
ACADEMIC INFORMATION
What is your current grade level at SSU (i.e. first-year, sophomore, junior, senior)?
Expected Month/Year of Graduation from Sonoma State:
What is your officially declared undergraduate major(s)/minor?
What is your planned graduate school major?
Do you plan to pursue a graduate degree directly after earning your undergraduate degree?

YesNo
(Note: The McNair Scholars program is not currently accepting applications from students who are pursuing MD, DO, Nursing, JD, or MBA degrees)
CITIZENSHIP INFORMATION
Are you a U.S. citizen or permanent resident?

YesNo
If you answered “No” to the question above, please answer the following:
Are you a permanent resident of the United States?

YesNo
If you are not yet a permanent resident, are you in the U.S for other than a temporary purpose with the intent of becoming a permanent resident?

YesNo
If you are in the process of becoming a permanent resident, please provide evidence from the Immigration and Naturalization Service with your intent to become a permanent resident.
ELIGIBILITY
Students are eligible to participate in the McNair Scholars program if they are a low-income and first-generation college student of any race/ethnicity, OR they belong to at least one of the groups underrepresented in graduate education (African-American, Latino/a, Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, or Native American), regardless of income status and parental educational attainment level; however, two-thirds of each McNair Scholars cohort must be first- generation and low-income students. Applicants must have also completed 60-semester units and have a cumulative minimum GPA of 3.0. Please note that there are exceptions to the GPA requirement. If you are close to a 3.0 GPA and/or there are extenuating circumstances that led to a lower overall GPA, please contact us so we can discuss it further.
1. Ethnicity Status (please select all that apply)

American Indian/Alaskan NativeAsianBlack or African-AmericanHispanic or LatinoNative Hawaiian or Pacific IslanderWhiteOther
2. First-Generation College Student Status (please check any of the following that apply)

Neither of my parents (biological or adoptive) possess a bachelor’s degree.Prior to the age of 18, I regularly resided with only one parent, and that parent did not possess a bachelor’s degree.Prior to the age of 18, I did not regularly reside with or receive support from a biological or adoptive parent.Prior to the age of 18, at least one of the parents with whom I resided possessed a bachelor’s degree.None of the above
3. Income Status

At least two-thirds of McNair participants must meet the Federal Low-Income Guidelines. As a federally-funded program, we are required to collect documentation that each student meets this eligibility requirement; however, there are a small number of spaces available for students who do not meet the low-income eligibility requirement.
Did you file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for this academic year?

YesNo
DEPENDENT STUDENT STATUS
Are you considered a Dependent Student, meaning your parent/guardian claimed you as a dependent on their tax return and their income was used to determine your eligibility for Financial Aid?

YesNo
If you are a Dependent Student, please provide the link to the McNair Income Verification Form for Dependent Students to your parent/guardian. The completed form will be automatically sent to the McNair Program after it is signed.
INDEPENDENT STUDENT STATUS
Are you considered an Independent Student?

YesNo
If you are an Independent Student, please complete the McNair Income Verification Form for Independent Students. The completed form will be automatically sent to the McNair Program after it is signed.
Please note that the Income Verification Form is required for all applicants. Your application is not complete until we receive the signed document.

If you are unsure of whether you are a Dependent or Independent student, more details can be found in the “Definitions” section of each form. Please let us know if you have questions or need assistance with this portion of the application.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

The following questions help us to determine in what ways we can best serve the McNair Scholars. Previous research experience and/or knowledge of the graduate school application process is not considered, nor is it required, as an eligibility factor.
Have you participated in research at the undergraduate level?

YesNo
If you answered yes, please briefly tell us about the research: when it was conducted, in what discipline, and whether it was supported by a faculty advisor
SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION MATERIALS
In addition to this application, please submit the following:
- Unofficial transcripts from SSU and/or any other institution where you have earned more than 20 units of academic credit.
- Essay 1 & Essay 2 (see below for instructions).
Please attach your typed responses to the following prompts in separate documents (500-1000 words each). Please make sure to answer each component of the prompt in your response.

Essay 1:
Explain your reasons for pursuing a graduate degree. If selected to be a McNair Scholar, what research topic(s) would you be interested in researching and how is this research related to your educational/career goals? How will the McNair Scholars Program assist you in making your educational/career goals possible?

Essay 2:
Tell us your story (your family background, journey to college, challenges you have faced and overcome, etc.). How has your personal background prepared you for the rigors of the McNair Scholars program as well as graduate-level study.
Essay 1:

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Essay 2:

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Unofficial Transcripts:

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FACULTY RECOMMENDATION
A recommendation from a faculty member in your major (or minor) is required as part of the application process. If you are unable to get a recommendation from faculty in your major (or minor), please contact us to discuss other options. Please send the link to our webpage to your Faculty Recommender and have them fill out the Faculty Recommender Form.
SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION
Check if Applicable

By checking this box, I certify that all information on this application is true and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I further understand that any false statements may result in denial or revocation of this application.
Name:

First NameLast Name
Date

MonthDayYear
mm-dd-yyyy
If you have any questions about the application, or the program, please contact Dr. Daniel Malpica at daniel.malpica@sonoma.edu or call 707-664-2264.

Program Application

STUDENT INFORMATION

ACADEMIC INFORMATION

CITIZENSHIP INFORMATION

ELIGIBILITY

DEPENDENT STUDENT STATUS

INDEPENDENT STUDENT STATUS

RESEARCH EXPERIENCE

SUPPLEMENTAL APPLICATION MATERIALS

FACULTY RECOMMENDATION

SUBMITTING YOUR APPLICATION