MCNAIR
MESSENGER
THE
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. Postage
PAID
Permit No. 3
Menomonie, WI 54751
Spring 2016
McNair Scholars Program
University of Wisconsin-Stout
424 Bowman Hall
802 S. Broadway
Menomonie, WI 54751
SUMMER GRADUATE SCHOOL TOUR
On August 19th to August 21st eight scholars traveled to University of Wisconsin Milwaukee, Marquette
University, and University of Wisconsin- Madison. The three day trip involved meeting individuals from each
graduate school, guided tours, and individual department meetings for each student. Scholars were able to
explore each school and ask questions about applying to specific programs at each school.
MCNAIR SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Former scholars please drop us an
email with your updated information.
We especially love to hear about your
successes! Or find us on Facebook
and LinkedIn by searching McNair
Scholars Program.
DO YOU KNOW A POTENTIAL MCNAIR SCHOLAR?
For more information contact:
Sarah Wynn, Ph.D, Director
715-232-5490
424 Bowman Hall
wynns@uwstout.edu
Jennifer Giesking, Advisor
715-232-5491
400B Bowman Hall
gieskingj@uwstout.edu
Or find us online at:
www.uwstout.edu/mcnair
www.facebook.com/mcnairscholars.stout
We are constantly looking for hardworking scholars
who have a desire to attend graduate school. More
information can be found on our website.
The McNair Scholars Program serves first generation,
limited income or under-represented students who
have a desire to conduct research and go on to graduate
school. Students work closely with faculty mentors,
participate in graduate preparation workshops, attend
conferences, and prepare for the GRE.
The program is a 100 percent
federally funded Department
“Whether or not
of Education Program that
you reach your goals
provides specific activities,
in life depends
resources and support to
entirely on how well
assist students in reaching
you prepare for them
their goal of a doctorate
and how badly you
degree.
want them.”
Ronald E. McNair
WAEOPP McNAIR AND SSS RETREAT
Four scholars participated in a series of graduate school prep workshops at
the Chula Vista Resort in Wisconsin Dells on Sept. 25th and 26th. The
workshop featured Donald Asher who is one of the foremost authorities
on the graduate school admissions process. The key topics covered in
the weekend where “Getting into Graduate School and Getting Funded”
and “Statement of Purpose and Application Considerations”. Each
scholar left with key tips on writing a quality personal statement and
increased confidence and enthusiasm for applying to graduate school.
McNAIR SCHOLARS PROGRAM
Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.
edu/mcnair
24th ANNUAL NATIONAL RONALD E. McNAIR RESEARCH
CONFERENCE AND GRADUATE FAIR
On October 30th, 2015 ten McNair Scholars traveled to Delavan
Wisconsin to present their independent research projects that were
completed this past summer. Eight of our scholars presented posters and
two students did oral presentations on their individual research projects.
All the scholars were also able to visit the graduate school fair where
schools across the nation were represented from various departments. The
conference is a great opportunity for our scholars to experience a professional
research conference in which they present their research, network with faculty,
peers, graduate school staff, and learn about nationwide graduate school programs. Thank
you to all the faculty mentors for helping each of our scholars with their research. Your
support helps the McNair Program continue to successfully serve students each year!
2015 POSTER PRESENTATIONS
ംംMARIAH BATES: Maternity Leave Policies: Among
ംംETHAN TOSTRUD: Autism Spectrum Disorder
ംം
ംംJIMMY VANCE: Assessing the Role-Based
ംംCHARLES DENIGER: A Study Evaluating Effects
ംംMORGAN WOLF: Resident Advisors and
Working Mothers in U.S. and Greece
Mentor: Nels Paulson
ALEXA DeMOE: Depression and Anxiety in Critical
Transition Periods in an Adolescent’s Life
Mentor: Colleen Etzbach
of Multiple Transcriptional Regulatory Elements in
Gene Regulation
Mentor: Amitava Karmaker
and Professional Job Interviews
Mentor: Mitchell Sherman
Perception of Actions in RPG’s
Mentor: Elizabeth Buchanan
Diversity Competence
Mentor: Sarah Wood
Physical Activity at University of Wisconsin–Stout?
Mentor: Diane Klemme
ംംANTOINETTE LYTE-EVANS: Peace Studies Background
Impact on University of Wisconsin–Stout
Mentor: James Handley
Mentor: Jennifer Grant
ംംASHLEY SPINLER: College Students’ Perception
of Rape and Reporting Rape
Mentor: Jennifer Reinke
Alexa DeMoe, Vocational Rehabilitation Degree
Esuvat Mollel, Business Administration Degree
Lydia Pfluger, Human Development/ Family Studies Degree
Ethan Tostrud, Business Administration Degree
WRITING A PERSONAL STATEMENT FOR APPLICATIONS
Graduate and professional schools often require a
written statement as a part of the application. The
terminology differs, but may include “statement of
purpose,” “letter of intent,” “personal statement,”
“personal narrative,” etc. Some statements may
require you to answer specific questions; others are
unstructured, allowing you to address a wide range
of matters. The details of the statement can vary from
school to school and from field to field.
Goal of the statement should be:
Persuade applications committee that you are applicant who should be chosen
ംം
ംം
Based on your experience you will succeed and do well in your field
What to include in your statement:
State the area of study you wish to specialize in
ംംDe’ANDRE JONES: Does Students’ Residence Influence
ംംKEODARA MOUA: Designer Child as a Tissue Donor
CONGRATULATIONS
GRADUATES!
The following students graduated in December 2015 from
the University of Wisconsin–Stout and completed all requirements of the McNair Scholars Program. These students are in the process of applying to graduate school.
Congratulations and good luck in your future academic and
professional endeavors.
Ethan Tostrud
presenting his
poster on Autism
Spectrum Disorder
and Professional
Job Interviews.
ംം
ംം
ംം
ംം
ംം
ംം
ംം
ംം
Why the school is a good fit
Why you are a good fit for the school
Your intended future career goals
What have you done to prepare yourself for study in this field
Identify potential faculty that have similar
research interests as you or align with your
future research goals
Address any inconsistencies in your records or scores, such as a bad semester
Highlight involvement on and off campus
One way to start brainstorming for your statement
is to ask yourself two questions:
Why have you chosen to attend
graduate school in this specific field,
and why are you applying to this
particular school?
ംം
ംം What are your qualifications for admission?
Sample Outline:
ംം Intro: Program and Fit
ംം Paragraph 2: Academics
ംം Paragraph 3: Research and Faculty
ംം Paragraph 4: Work experience/clinical
ംം Paragraph 5: Involvement, obstacles, personal
qualities
ംം Conclusion: Fit
Have multiple people review your statement.
Make sure you answer any specific questions and stay
within the required word limit or page length. If there
is no direction on limit keep your statement to two
pages double spaced.
End the statement with a concise paragraph reiterating
your interest, accomplishments, and how the program
and school fits into your future career goals.