McNair Scholars Program
Program Overview
- Graduate Prep Courses during your junior and senior years
- Up to a $2800 Summer Research Fellowship stipend
- Travel assistance to present research at local, regional, and national conferences
- Professional workshops throughout the year exclusively for McNair Scholars
- Over 200 universities waive graduate school application fees and/or other opportunities for McNair Scholars
- Guidance through the entire graduate school application process, including visits to graduate schools
- Skills review and test-taking strategies for graduate admissions exams (i.e. GRE) GRE description
Additional Benefits
The opportunity to build a supportive network of first-generation and low-income students who understand the challenges and experiences associated with pursuing a Ph.D. degree.
Overview of Class Sequence for Students Participating in the Program
First Year
Fall Quarter
- Introduction to the McNair Program Orientation Event
- Find a faculty mentor
- Attend McNair related seminars/events
- MCNA 310 UG Research Methods (2 credits)
- Meet weekly with your mentor
- Write research proposal, submit to mentor & McNair Office
- MCNA 302 Finding (and Funding) a Graduate School (1 credit)
- Edit and re-submit final research proposal for review
- Identify conferences to attend
- Arrange graduate school visits
- Attend SOURCE
- Attend PNW Grad School Prep Conference
- Conduct your mentored research and complete final research paper by end of Summer Session
- GRE Prep and Summer Workshops
- Grad school visits
Second Year
Fall Quarter
- MCNA 303 Completing the Graduate School Applications (1 credit)
- Take GRE (if necessary)
- Apply to graduate schools & scholarships/fellowships
- Prepare for research presentations at conferences/SOURCE
Winter Quarter
- Prepare for SOURCE (discuss with research mentor)
- Follow-up on graduate school applications
- Submit abstract to SOURCE & prepare presentation/poster/performance
- Participate in SOURCE and attend the SOURCE banquet
- Attend the McNair Recognition Event
- Complete exit interview with McNair Staff
- Finalize Graduate School plans
- Graduation from CWU
CWU News
Sociology Club teams up with APOYO for community Toy Drive
November 11, 2026 by David Leder
CWU Dining Services Director named to national board
November 9, 2026 by Rune Torgersen