McNair Application FAQ’s |
| Q: Do letters of recommendation need to be from UC Berkeley professors? |
| A: All applicants must submit 2 letters of recommendation. Your application will be read and scored by UC Berkeley professors, who often value the recommendation of their peers the most. If you cannot secure letters from 2 UC Berkeley faculty, then 1 letter from a faculty member and 1 letter from a GSI is sufficient. Transfer students who admitted in the fall 2020 can submit two letters of recommendation from community college professors. |
| Q: If I am an incoming transfer student, can I get letters from my Community College Instructors? |
| A: We recommend that you submit two letters of recommendation from UC Berkeley faculty members. We recommend that if you can only secure one strong letter from UC Berkeley faculty, you may submit one strong letter of recommendation from your community college instructor. You can also submit two strong letters of recommendation from community college instructors who have worked closely with you. |
| Q: Can I get a letter of recommendation from an employer or an organization I volunteered for? |
| A: Faculty (academic) letters are best. The recommender should speak to your ability to do research. |
| Q: What happens if my letter of recommendation arrives past the deadline? |
| A: No application material will be considered past the application deadline. |
| Q: I am graduating soon. Am I still eligible to apply? |
| A: In order to participate as a McNair Scholar, you must be enrolled in the Spring 2022 semester and available to do full time research during the summer 2022. You need to attend a mandatory Graduate School Exploration and Preparation Course in the Fall of 2022. You also need to be available to edit your paper for publication in the Spring 2023. Finally, you need to submit a graduate school application the fall before your graduation. For example, to be a part of our 2021-22 cohort, you must be enrolled at UC Berkeley in the Spring 2022, be available to conduct research during the Summer 2022, and be enrolled in the Fall 2022 and Spring 2023. |
| Q: I am considering a joint Ph.D.-M.D. degree, or Joint Ph.D. + J.D. degree, can I apply? |
| A: Yes, however you must be very clear that a Ph.D. is necessary for your academic pursuits. |
| Q: Do I need to have a Faculty mentor when I apply? |
| A: No, we can work with you to find a faculty mentor if you are accepted into the program and do not already have a mentor. If you have already secured a mentor, please mention it in your application. |
| Q: Am I still eligible if my GPA is below a 3.0? |
| A: We are unfortunately unable to admit students with a GPA that is under a 3.0. If you are currently an eligible student, we encourage you to work on raising your GPA and reapply next year. |
| Q: Can I study abroad in the summer and still participate in the McNair Scholars Program? |
| A: No, you must be available to do research from June through early August. If your research requires you to travel, then you must be granted permission and return to Berkeley by early July. |
| Q: Will I be allowed to work and/or take classes if necessary during the summer? |
| A: We recommended that you focus solely on your research during the summer. However , you may petition to work or take a class during the summer if necessary. |
| Q: Am I able to receive financial aid for courses during the summer in addition to my McNair stipend? |
| A: Please consult with the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships for any related summer financial aid questions. |
| Q: What does the timeline for participation in the McNair Program look like? |
| A: Generally, in the spring semester you will work on your research proposal. During the summer, you will implement your research project and present your work at our annual Ronald E. McNair Symposium, held on the UC Berkeley campus. In the fall and spring semesters, you will work on publishing your work in the McNair Research Journal. You are required to take the Graduate School Exploration and Preparation Course in the summer or fall semester of your first year as a McNair Scholar. You also are required to submit a graduate school application by the fall before graduation. |
| Q: What if I am not completely sure about my research topic? |
| A: Describe it to the best of your ability for the application. Your topic may change once you are admitted into the program. |
| Q: What are my options if I am unable to take the GRE course during the summer? |
| A: You may defer enrollment until fall semester. However, it is recommended that you make the necessary adjustments to take the course during the summer. This will allow you to focus on your course work, publications/thesis, and applications to graduate school during the Fall semester. |
| Q: If I am interested in pursuing a professional degree (law school, medical school, business school) can I apply to the McNair Scholar Program? |
| No. If you are pursuing any professional degrees please do not apply for the McNair Scholars Program. The McNair Scholars Program is strictly for students who are committed to pursuing a Ph.D. degree. Students interested in medical, legal, or other professional degrees should not apply. Students who go on to pursue an M.D., a J.D., D.D.S., and other Master’s or professional degrees may be required to repay the McNair award. |
| Q: Can be part of other research opportunities program? |
| Applying to any other research programs outside of the McNair Scholars requires the McNair Director’s approval. |