If you’re interested in mentoring domestic undergraduate engineering students exploring graduate school, apply to be a mentor for the 6th year of the GradTrack Scholars program. GradTrack Scholars builds community, supports student success, and connects top talent to Purdue Engineering graduate programs.

Time Commitment

• Virtual meetings: Mondays, 7:00–8:30 PM (Aug–Oct 2026, 6 sessions; see website for dates)
• Mandatory mentor training: August 3 (online)
• ~2–4 hours/month outside meetings for student support
• Debrief dinner at end of the program

Mentor Support

• $500 scholarship for your selection as a mentor
• Training and structured discussion topics provided

What You’ll Do As a Mentor

• Lead a group of 5–7 undergraduate students
• Facilitate discussions on graduate school preparation (we provide discussion topics)
• Provide guidance, feedback, and one-on-one support

Eligibility

• Master’s or PhD student in Purdue Engineering
• Good academic standing with advisor approval
• Interest in mentoring and expanding access in engineering
  (Master’s students with research experience are encouraged to apply)

Apply to be a GradTrack mentor here by May 4, 2026 at 12PM ET:

https://purdue.ca1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1QUqL97T1vNd7gi

Application Materials

• Resume/CV
• Advisor approval (email confirmation/screenshot)
• Short statements of interest

Each GradTrack meeting has three major components:

• Short presentation/information sharing by facilitators/faculty that demystify what it is like applying to graduate school (30 minutes)
• Graduate students lead roundtable discussions (2 graduate students with 5-7 undergraduates) (1 hour)
• Undergraduate students will complete documents for a competitive graduate application. Graduate mentors will provide feedback. (To be worked on in between sessions)

Learn more on the GradTrack website. If you have any questions, you can email:

Jacqueline E. McDermott, Ph.D.
jem@purdue.edu
Associate Director of Graduate Student Excellence
College of Engineering Dean’s Office for Graduate Education
Pronouns: she/her/hers