Don’t wallow in despair thinking about graduate school, instead apply for the McNair Program by Oct. 29th and get a step ahead of the bunch.

The McNair Program is designed to prepare low income, first generation college students and students from minority groups for graduate school. Students must also be in their second year to senior year in college and a United States citizen.

Susan M. Holm, Director of the McNair Scholars Program, explains the program as a very beneficial experience.

“For students that are looking to go to graduate school, this program really walks them through everything that they need in order to apply and successfully get accepted.  It demystifies the whole graduate school process,” Holm said.

Students like Maura Zephier, an Art History major, found the program very beneficial,

“It’s valuable because it helps you prepare. Other campuses are affiliated with the McNair, they see McNair on your graduate application and they’re going to look closely at it,” Zephier said.

Ben Larson, a History major, also found the program useful and recommends it to other students.

“If you are considering moving onto educational opportunities above and beyond your undergraduate degree, there is no better way to launch yourself into the knowledge necessary, and the sort of discipline required for such an aspiration,” said Larson.

Program participants receive a mentor, a stipend of up to $2,800, and a research project to complete.  The program also offers other opportunities like Graduate Record Examination preparation, research publication and much more.

“They get a lot of opportunities that they wouldn’t necessarily get like the research. We go on graduate school visits, and we go to a national conference so they get to present their research at a national level. So they do get some really fun perks, and because they’re in the program they can apply to about 250 graduate schools for free,” said Holm.

For more information about the McNair Program, check out their website on the University of Wisconsin - Superior homepage, or stop by their office in Old Main 340.  Applications are due by Fri., Oct. 29 and can be found in the McNair Program Office; they are also available online.