Wayne State University

AIM HIGHER

Federal Trio Programs

Undergraduate Research

As a McNair Scholars you are typically recruited into the program as a sophomore or junior and begin formally participating in activities during your junior year, spring semester. During this time, you take the Research Writing and Communication course (three credits) and begin a relationship with your faculty research mentor in preparation for your research project that you will complete during the upcoming seminar. Scholar Development Sessions, held bimonthly, assist scholars in this process and orient them to the program.

Summer Research Institute

The McNair program hosts a Summer Research Institute (SRI). During the session you will

  • conduct supervised research
  • investigate graduate programs of interest
  • prepare to take the Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
  • write a research report
  • attend various seminars aimed toward preparing for the graduate school application process and enhancing your writing/communication skills.

In addition to completing the SRI, you are expected to continue work on your research project throughout the remainder of the summer. You average about 20 hours per week or more working on your research. It is recommended that you not take any classes or work more than 10 hours per week at an outside job during the entire summer.

You receive a $2,300 stipend for fully participating in the Summer Research Institute.

  • Spring/Summer-$766.66
  • Fall Semester-$766.66
  • Winter Semester-$766.66

In addition, you receive tuition/fee reimbursement for the two-credit course and free training for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). GRE test fees and conference/graduate school travel expenses are also covered.

Senior Year
During your senior year, you continue to attend bimonthly seminars and Scholar Development sessions. You take the GRE and submit applications to at least five to 10 graduate programs. In addition, you travel to conferences to present your research, as well as presenting during Wayne State-sponsored research symposiums held on campus in the fall and spring. You visit your top-choice graduate school, attend cultural events and complete your bachelor's degree. Each spring, the McNair program hosts a reception to honor graduating scholars. Family members/friends are encouraged to attend.

Submission of Research Proposal
All McNair Scholars are required to submit a well-developed, two-to-three page research proposal. The proposal must include the following:

  • The general question(s) under investigation
  • Methods used to address these questions
  • A short, working bibliography of readings
  • An explanation of how your work will relate to the faculty mentor's own research program
  • A projected time table for the eight to ten week summer program
  • Faculty mentor approval for the project; mentor approval must be in writing

Please note that the McNair Scholar's research project advances not only your learning but also the research of the faculty mentor. In fact, the research project is to be a collaborative effort. You may join a research project that the faculty member has initiated or you may identify a topic for a senior thesis and seek a faculty mentor whose research interests mesh with your own research goals.