Applying for graduate school is a struggle for many students — turning in applications and preparing for and taking grad school entrance exams can be time-consuming.
But for minority students, their underrepresentation in graduate education is an added stress in applying for graduate school.
However, the U.S. Board of Education created the Ronald E. McNair Research Scholars Program in 1992 to promote graduate minority enrollment.
Students are paired with faculty mentors in their area of interest, conduct research projects with them and are paid stipends for their work, while the faculty members receive assistance for their projects.
Since its conception, the program has been implemented on nearly 100 college campuses, with minority students taking up a large majority of enrollment, said McNair Program Director Connie Stelly.
The McNair Program also caters to low-income students and first generation college students — students with parents who never have attended a university.
The program has served about 100 students, and 78 percent of those enrolled attended graduate school immediately following graduation, Stelly said.
According to Stelly, the program provides an advantage for students as well as faculty.
“The program works as a good preparation for grad school,” Stelly said. “The faculty mentor guides them to be successful as an undergraduate, graduate and a Ph.D.”
Graduate student Marcus Etienne is enrolled in the program.
Currently, Etienne is working on a bio-organic project with a professor in the Chemistry Department dealing with the effects of Alzheimer’s disease.
Etienne said besides the benefits of research work, the McNair Program also provides seminars and workshops that aid in preparing for the Graduate Record Examination and filling out applications, evaluations and personal statements.
Graduate student and English instructor Kendric Coleman agrees the program opens doors for students who normally would not think of graduate school.
“The program provides opportunities that prepare you for grad school, so when you get there, you are not surprised by the work that is being done,” Coleman said.
Stelly said the program is offered to juniors and seniors. All applications are reviewed by a committee, which selects applicants who fit the required criteria.
According to Stelly, the University’s McNair Program has had a tremendous success rate. The program has helped 13 students receive doctorates, and 16 students currently are in doctorate programs.
“The McNair Program helps increase graduate student participation, and it introduces students to a warmer, kinder part of LSU where there is more of a partnership between students and faculty,” Stelly said.
Students interested in the program are encouraged to call the McNair Program Office at 578-4321 for more information.
The application deadline is March 19.