How many students apply to your
program each year and what is the acceptance rate?
We usually have between 25 to 30 student applicants each year and
accept between 8 to 10. However, we will be expanding the numbers
accepted gradually over the next few years, which means we are working
toward a bigger application pool of qualified students.
How do you plan to increase
your application pool?
By creating choices in the curriculum plans we offer. We have students
interested in joining the program at different stages in their academic
schedule. Some are ready as early as the end of their sophomore year,
or during their senior year, or after they’ve already received
their bachelor’s degree. We plan to implement this curriculum
change by the January 2007 application deadline so it begins in Fall
semester 2007. We hope that allowing students to choose their curriculum
plan gives them more control over how the Chinese Flagship Program
fits into their own plans.
When is your application deadline
and when will I know if I’ve been accepted?
The Chinese Flagship Program application deadline for the 2008 cohort
will be January 31, 2008. The funding applications are different,
however, so we encourage students to be aware of the funding deadlines
of NSEP fellowships January 18, 2008, as well as BYU scholarships
January 18, 2008. We will conduct interviews in February after we
have received all the applications. Our goal is to announce the awards
by the end of March, however, it may take slightly longer because
of individual student circumstances.
How long does it take to complete
the BYU Chinese Flagship program?
That depends on which curriculum plan you choose. Every student must
complete a minimum of 4 dedicated Chinese Flagship courses (12 hours)
and at least 4 advanced Chinese electives (12 hours). After a student
completes the BYU campus coursework, we send them to Nanjing University
in Nanjing, China for 1 semester (~5 months). The capstone experience
of the BYU Chinese Flagship Program is an internship in China that
focuses on your specific career goals (~ 4 months).
Can I be a Chinese major and
still apply?
Absolutely. As we look at your academic record we take a variety of
things into account. Your major is one among many. Most important
is how your academic plans lead into your career goals – a reason
why the statement of intent is so important. Many Chinese majors want
to pursue other fields either in practice or in graduate school and
this is an excellent combination for our program.
Do I have to be a BYU student to apply? Can I participate
as an undergraduate or do you only accept graduate students?
To participate as an undergraduate, you must be a BYU student. We
also accept graduate-level students, however, as Special Status visiting
students. These students are allowed to participate in all campus
courses although they are not degree-seeking. The BYU Chinese Flagship
Program is a Certificate Program and not a master’s degree program.
What is the Chinese Flagship
and when was it implemented?
The BYU Chinese Flagship Program was created at BYU in 2002 through
a grant received from the National Security Education (NSEP) sponsored
by the US Department of Defense. Through NSEP funding, flagship programs
were created nationally in Mandarin Chinese, Korean, Russian and Arabic.
Brigham Young University was awarded an NSEP grant to develop curriculum
in advanced Mandarin Chinese language instruction and was named the
Chinese Flagship Pilot Program. Our pilot program status changed to
a permanent award in 2005.
Our curriculum model focuses on
helping students already fluent in Mandarin Chinese learn the Chinese
specialty language needed for their specific area of interest. For
example, we help an accounting student learn how to function in a
Chinese accounting office by learning Chinese terminology and culture
specific to accounting. We hope that our students can either work
in their field in China or act as a liaison between Chinese and American
interests with the tools we give them.
What kind of students are you
looking for?
We are looking for students with a strong Chinese reading and speaking
background, with a desire to use their Chinese language skills in
their career path, and who demonstrate a variety of interests and
goals. Our specialized curriculum is only effective for students already
fluent in Chinese at an advanced level so we have a minimum language
requirement, i.e., complete at least Chinese 301, 302 (third year
Mandarin). Language skills are not enough to enter the Chinese Flagship
Program, however. We want students with a strong desire to complete
the program and who demonstrate dedication to the goals of the program
- working in a Chinese environment with the specialty tools we provide.
Do I have to be a Chinese major
to apply?
No, we’re interested in all students willing to apply. Many
of our students have either a double major with Chinese or a minor
with Chinese. We are looking for students with interests that can
be applied throughout the job market in China. Our past and current
students are majoring in areas such as Political Science, Chemical
Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Law, Accounting,
Journalism, Business Management, and Biochemistry.
Can I participate if I am not a BYU student?
Absolutely. We encourage all qualified students to apply for our Chinese
Flagship Program with the understanding that they come to our campus
as Special Status Students. This is an approved BYU category for students
who are not in a matriculated degree-seeking program but are part
of the University community and need admittance to both day and night
campus courses. It is important to remember that the BYU Honor Code
agreement and Ecclesiastical Endorsement requirements are part of
the application process. We encourage all students to be aware of
and willing to abide by the BYU Honor Code before they apply for our
program. Acceptance to the BYU Chinese Flagship Program is contingent
on these requirements. Please contact our office if you have questions
regarding Honor Code standards.
What sort of financial support is available for the program?
Two kinds of financial support are available from different sources,
BYU and NSEP. The career goals of the student help to determine the
source of scholarship funding.
1) The Chinese Flagship Program has
a private BYU scholarship fund. Stipend support is available and
varies according to the specialized curriculum track qualified for
when you enter the program.
2) Students may also apply for support
directly through the National Security Education Program (NSEP).
Typically, there is more funding support available for this scholarship
award. Students with a strong and established desire to use their
Chinese skills toward government service qualify to apply for this
funding. For students with this important goal, NSEP funding has
financial and career placement advantages. It is important for students
interested in this option to be aware that a service payback agreement
is required for this funding. For more details about the payback
agreement, see the NSEP web site.
Do I need to be a member of the sponsoring church to attend
BYU?
BYU is a private University supported by the Church of Jesus Christ
of Latter-Day Saints (LDS). Admission to BYU and the Chinese Flagship
program is not limited to members of the LDS church, but all students
and faculty are asked to observe the university-wide honor code. Certain
limited allowances may be made on an individualized basis for students
whose religion or circumstances merit special consideration. As part
of the admissions policy, candidates should thoroughly discuss issues
with the program director during the application process.
Can graduate students and non-degree students be admitted to the program?
Yes, as special status students. Tuition rates for these categories
vary according to the degrees already awarded to the student. In order
to participate as a degree-seeking undergraduate, however, students
must formally apply to BYU .
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