FAQ
General
Dr. Ronald E. McNair, a laser physics expert, was one of the Challenger astronauts who died in 1986. Congress authorized the funding of the Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program that same year. The first McNair Scholars program began in 1989; Cal Poly Pomona's McNair program was funded in 1999. These programs are administered by the U.S. Department of Education and are part of the TRIO family of programs.
This is a research internship based on achieving certain goals and accomplishments.
One to two years.
Yes, as long as there is no duplication of services, and as long as it does not conflict with the requirements of a McNair Scholar Candidate. For example, students in the HHMI program cannot be paid twice for the same research.
During the winter and spring quarters, Scholars attend the McNair research class weekly; work with their faculty mentors preparing the research proposal and literature review, and begin the research. During the summer, the Scholar participates in an intensive 6-week summer research program, which includes a symposium at Cal Poly Pomona where scholars present their research and usually culminates with the McNair Symposium at UC Berkeley. During the fall quarter, Scholars again attend the research class and participate in workshops designed to assist them in applying for graduate school.
We strongly discourage students from taking classes during the summer because the program is so intensive. A first-year Scholar may take no more than one class that does not conflict with the workshops. A second-year Scholar's request to take classes will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
Application & Eligbility
Yes, but not everyone is eligible. Those who are eligible are:
- fulltime Cal Poly Pomona juniors with a 3.0 or higher GPA
- U.S. citizens or permanent residents
- first-generation college students with a demonstrated financial need, or members of an underrepresented group in graduate studies.
Our target colleges are Agriculture, Engineering, Science, CEIS, and CLASS. If a student from another major has a strong interest in research and has a faculty member experienced in research willing to mentor her or him, that student's application will be considered. The research project for the program should involve statistical analysis.
This determines whether you are a dependent supported by your parents' income and assets or your own as an independent being the primary source for postsecondary education.
Three faculty letters are required, and two must be from faculty in the student's major.
All other questions can be answered during the information sessions.
Faculty Mentors
Faculty mentors usually meet with their scholar candidates for ten hours per quarter on average, and more during the summer. In order to receive payment, mentors must also go to the Cal Poly Pomona Foundation to fill out appropriate tax paperwork and will need to keep track of their hours with Kronos, the Foundation online time clock.
Another mentor should be considered because each mentor must participate and be available while the Scholar conducts the research and prepares for the symposium.