Do you have what it takes to be a Kirk Scholar? We are looking for a diverse group of students to travel to China each year.  We want students from a variety of majors with a variety of extracurricular involvement.  To be eligible, students must have at least a 2.75 GPA.  We consider the Zylphia Shu-En Kirk Scholars Program to be an Honors program, and we encourage students with a 3.0 and above to apply to the program.   (Successful applicants often write application essays that tie their desire to learn Mandarin to their studies or their future careers, so serious consideration of what language study means to you will be a deciding factor!) Upon selection, students must commit to studying Mandarin on campus for two semesters prior to departure, receive at least a "B" in CHNS101 (or in a more advanced level of CHNS, depending on placement), and participate in opportunities outside of class to practice the language with the instructor and one another. Scholars must also participate in cultural events, such as the Mid-Autumn Festival and Chinese New Year, sponsored by the RU International Education Center during the academic year.  They must also be able to commit to the travel component of the trip taking place in May and June.       2005-2006 Zylphia Shu-En Kirk Scholars Updated: August 11, 2008