A Texas-wide evaluation of the Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program
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The Ronald E. McNair Post-baccalaureate Achievement Program was created to better prepare low-income and first-generation undergraduate students for doctoral stud. The purpose of the study is to provide a systematic evaluation of the McNair Scholar Programs within the state of Texas. There are eight McNair Scholars Programs throughout the state of Texas, each serving approximately 20 students. One hundred twenty-eight McNair Scholars from six Texas universities participated in the study. Four hundred juniors and seniors from Texas Tech University and Abilene Christian University that have not participated in the McNair Scholars Program also participated in the study. The McNair Scholars and the Non-McNair Scholars completed a questionnaire designed to e\aluate their knowledge and experiences pertaining to their preparation for graduate school. The findings of this study reveal that the participants in the McNair Scholars Program had more knowledge and experience pertaining to graduate school then comparison students from underrepresented or non-underrepresented backgrounds. Additionally, the McNair Scholars were more likely to have participated in activities that wall increase the likelihood that they will be accepted in to a graduate program such as research participation, conference attendance, and scholarly presentations.