Top students from across Kansas and the country are invited to compete in Wichita State University's Distinguished Scholarship Invitational (DSI) to vie for Kansas' largest annual scholarships and many other scholarship awards.

More than 250 students are expected to compete for the scholarships this year, according to DSI coordinator Marylynn Steichen.

Two outstanding high school seniors will receive $48,000 ($12,000 per year for four years) Harry Gore Memorial Scholarships, the state's largest individual undergraduate scholarship.

The Gore scholarships have been awarded for more than 50 years to academically strong students with demonstrated leadership ability.

This year's competition will be held Saturday, Nov. 14 at WSU.

High school seniors who have a GPA of at least 3.5 and who have scored at least a 24 on the ACT (or 1,110 on the SAT) are eligible to participate.

To be invited to the competition, students must be admitted to WSU by Thursday, Oct. 1. Students who meet these requirements will receive an invitation with additional instructions.

There will be an optional academic scholarship competition, requiring an additional essay, for those students who compete in the DSI. The winner will be awarded up to a $26,000 McGregor Scholarship, based on academics. Faculty members will score the essays.

Interested students should contact the Office of Admissions immediately to find out how to be admitted. Call (316)-978-3085 or 1-800-362-2594 or e-mail admissions@wichita.edu for more information.