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October 13, 2003

Media Contact: Michael Dabney, (858) 822-3432

MCNAIR PROGRAM OFFERS UCSD JUNIORS AND SENIORS
WIDE RANGE OF RESEARCH, GRAD SCHOOL PREPARATION

The Ronald E. McNair Postbaccalaureate Achievement Program at the University of California, San Diego is recruiting juniors and seniors of all majors who are interested in obtaining a Ph.D. The McNair Program, funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Education, serves low-income students who are the first in their families to attend college, and/or underrepresented students (African American, Latino, Chicano, American Indian/Alaskan Natives). Students must be juniors or seniors and have a GPA of at least 3.0.

Application deadline for the program is Friday, October 31.

Estela Blanco (left) with her McNair Program Mentor Professor Maria Zúniga of Pediatrics at a recent McNair Awards Ceremony.

Administered by UCSD’s Academic Enrichment Programs (a unit of Student Affairs), the McNair Program provides undergraduates with one year of research outside the classroom with a faculty mentor, and participation in other scholarly activities that offer effective preparation for doctoral study.

“Participation in McNair,” says Norienne C. Saign, Ph.D., program coordinator, “not only enhances students’ qualifications as graduate school candidates, but also gives them a unique opportunity to work closely with a distinguished professor in their field of interest.” McNair Scholars earn eight units of academic credit during winter and spring quarters, and participate full-time during the summer when they continue their research (earning four additional units of credit), prepare for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE), and receive a $2,800 stipend.

Students may apply online at http://aep.ucsd.edu/default2.htm, or contact Dr. Norienne Saign at Academic Enrichment Programs, University Center 411; nsaign@ucsd.edu, (858) 534-2937.