Letter to the Applicant

Letter to the Applicant

Dear Student

I would like to thank you for your interest in the McNair Achievement Program (MAP) at Minnesota State University, Mankato. The McNair Program is designed to increase the recruitment, retention, and success of student who have been underserved by higher education, as well as students who hold "first-generation" and/or "low-income" status. The purpose of the McNair Program is to provide its participants with high-quality and relevant research opportunities, access to technology, and concrete assistance in order to ensure acceptance into and success in doctoral programs upon completion of the bachelor's degree.

In order to qualify for the McNair Achievement Program, you must meet the following criteria:

1. Must express interest in pursuing a graduate degree leading up to a Ph.D.
2. Must not graduate before May, 2014
3. Must meet at least one of the following criteria:
   • *First–generation, low–income
   • Must be from a group considered underserved in graduate education (Black, Hispanic, American Indian, Alaskan Native, Native Hawaiians, and Native American Pacific Islander).
   • A student may also be considered "underrepresented" based on gender or disability as it pertains to their field of study (example, a woman in engineering or a man in nursing)
4. Must be available during the 2012-2013 holiday break (December 17-21, 2012) in order to complete GRE preparation workshops
5. Must be willing to complete a research internship in the summer of 2013
6. Must have and maintain a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA

Application forms can be downloaded and printed or picked up in WC 302 prior to the deadline of August 27, 2012.

I look forward to receiving your application materials, which can be delivered to the McNair program office (WC 302) by August 27, 2012. Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns at laura.riness@mnsu.edu or by telephone at (507) 389-1188. For more information on the McNair Achievement Program, please visit our website at www.mnsu.edu/mcnair.

Sincerely,

Laura Riness, M.S., NCC
Director, McNair Achievement Program
Minnesota State University, Mankato
302 Wiecking Center

*First-generation refers to a student whose parents did not graduate from an undergraduate program – they do not have a bachelor's degree.