1. Penn State University McNair Scholars Program Information Session for Penn State Math Club Presenter: Teresa Tassotti Director McNair Scholars Program September 22, 2008

2. IS MCNAIR FOR YOU? Have you ever considered going beyond the Bachelor’s degree and earning a doctorate? Have you ever considered going beyond the Bachelor’s degree and earning a doctorate? Do you have a strong desire to conduct research? Do you have a strong desire to conduct research? To teach at the university level? To teach at the university level?

3. WHO ARE WE? The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is a federal TRIO program. The Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is a federal TRIO program. The program prepares undergraduates to succeed in doctoral study by engaging them in research and scholarly activities while still undergraduates. The program prepares undergraduates to succeed in doctoral study by engaging them in research and scholarly activities while still undergraduates. There are 180 McNair programs operating on college campuses across the country. There are 180 McNair programs operating on college campuses across the country.

4. WHO WAS DR. RONALD E. MCNAIR? Dr. Ronald E. McNair was nationally recognized for his work in the field of laser physics and received many honorary degrees, fellowships and commendations. He earned his PhD from MIT at the early age of 26. Dr. Ronald E. McNair was nationally recognized for his work in the field of laser physics and received many honorary degrees, fellowships and commendations. He earned his PhD from MIT at the early age of 26. In 1978 Dr. McNair was selected for the NASA space program and he was the second African American to fly in space. In 1978 Dr. McNair was selected for the NASA space program and he was the second African American to fly in space. His life ended tragically on January 28, 1986 His life ended tragically on January 28, 1986 when the Challenger space shuttle exploded, when the Challenger space shuttle exploded, taking the life of Dr. McNair and six other taking the life of Dr. McNair and six other astronauts. astronauts.

5. PROGRAM BENEFITS Workshops and seminars Workshops and seminars Faculty advisors and mentors Faculty advisors and mentors Individualized assistance Individualized assistance Summer research internship Summer research internship The Penn State McNair Journal The Penn State McNair Journal Annual Penn State McNair Summer Research Conference Annual Penn State McNair Summer Research Conference Travel to graduate schools/programs and other conferences Travel to graduate schools/programs and other conferences

6. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO APPLY? Minimum 45 hours or more of college level work by the end of the current fall semester Minimum 45 hours or more of college level work by the end of the current fall semester At least one summer available before graduation to conduct a research project At least one summer available before graduation to conduct a research project Minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA Minimum 3.00 cumulative GPA U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident U.S. citizen or permanent U.S. resident Member of family with limited financial resources and be the first-generation to complete a baccalaureate degree or be a member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate education Member of family with limited financial resources and be the first-generation to complete a baccalaureate degree or be a member of a group that is underrepresented in graduate education Intend to graduate from Penn State and immediately enter a graduate program with the goal of attaining a Ph.D. (This program is not open to students pursuing medical or law degrees) Intend to graduate from Penn State and immediately enter a graduate program with the goal of attaining a Ph.D. (This program is not open to students pursuing medical or law degrees)

7. HOW DO I APPLY TO PROGRAM FOR AY 2008-09? Application materials are available in 111 Kern Building. Application materials are available in 111 Kern Building. AY 2008-09 recruitment/application period runs now through November 7, 2008. AY 2008-09 recruitment/application period runs now through November 7, 2008. Students interviewed before Thanksgiving break with program admissions committee. Students interviewed before Thanksgiving break with program admissions committee. Students selected and notified over Thanksgiving break. Students selected and notified over Thanksgiving break. New Student Orientation: December 1, 2008 New Student Orientation: December 1, 2008

8. HOW TO CONTACT US? McNair Scholars Program 111 Kern Building Penn State University University Park, PA 16802 Phone: (814) 863-1095 Fax: (814) 863-9822 Email: txt6@psu.edu txt6@psu.edu Website:www.gradsch.psu.edu/diversity/mcnair.html