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- A Rhodes Scholar is a recipient of the prestigious Rhodes Scholarship.
- The Rhodes Scholarship pays for a student’s post-graduation schooling at Oxford University.
- Past Rhodes Scholars include presidents, prime ministers, and more.
The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the most prestigious scholarship programs in the world, offering high-performing students the opportunity to attend the University of Oxford and complete a two-year postgraduate degree at no cost. Students have their tuition, housing, and living expenses fully covered and enjoy a variety of other benefits.
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Are you interested in applying to be a Rhodes Scholar? Here’s what you need to know about this program.
History of the Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship program was established in 1902 through the will of Cecil John Rhodes, an Oxford graduate, politician, and mining magnate. He established the program with the aim of identifying students who could make the world a better place.
“The scholarship is highly competitive and is considered one of the most prestigious international scholarships in the world,” says Dave Sherwood, a former Rhodes Scholar and co-founder of BibliU, an e-textbook platform.
Past Rhodes Scholars have gone on to become presidents, politicians, and world leaders (U.S. President Bill Clinton and Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott); Nobel Prize winners (Howard Florey, who discovered penicillin); artists and musicians (Kris Kristofferson and Terrence Malick); and more.
“Becoming a Rhodes Scholar is a significant honor and often opens doors to various opportunities in academia, public service, and leadership roles,” Sherwood says. “Many Rhodes Scholars have gone on to make significant contributions to their respective fields and have become influential figures in society.”
Who is eligible for a Rhodes Scholarship?
Rhodes Scholars must meet rigorous requirements, both academically and in their community involvement.
“Rhodes Scholars are very elite students who excel academically,” says Diane Barnett, education consultant and admissions counselor at Knovva Academy. “But while academic excellence is the baseline for these students, and it’s required to move forward in the process, grades alone are not enough to get accepted as a Rhodes Scholar.”
The original criterion for Rhodes Scholars included:
- Literary and scholastic attainments
- Energy to use one’s talents to the full
- Truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness, and fellowship
- Moral force of character and instincts to lead and to take an interest in one’s fellow beings
US students must be between the ages of 18 and 23 on October 1 the year prior to their planned attendance at Oxford or, if they’ve already completed their first undergraduate degree, under the age of 27 on this date. They also must have at least a 3.70 GPA or a first-class honors degree.
Still, Barnett says: “Those awarded the scholarship typically have GPAs of 3.85 or higher. And community involvement, service, character, and a spirit of giving back are what set these scholars apart from other post-undergraduate programs. Students also need to have excelled in an area outside the classroom, such as sports, research, or community involvement. “
To apply for a Rhodes Scholarship, you’ll need your transcript, a passport or birth certificate, an endorsement from your current college or university, at least five referrals, and a full curriculum vitae detailing your academics, leadership positions, jobs, school and community involvement, political activities, and other achievements. You also must submit a personal statement of 750 words or less and an academic statement of study.
There’s also a social engagement event and a final interview. It’s a long and rigorous process, and all steps must be completed by the close of October 4.
“Following all the directions is an essential element of the application process,” Barnett says. “When applying for college, most schools accept the letters of recommendation and transcripts a bit after the deadlines have passed, extending professional courtesy to school staff they know to be swamped in the fall. This is not true for the Rhodes program. The competitive nature of the scholarship and the austerity of the process includes firm due dates. All materials are due as stated with no flexibility.”
What are the benefits of becoming a Rhodes Scholar?
If you’re successful in getting a Rhodes Scholarship, not only do you get to attend the No. 5 university in the world, according to US News & World Report rankings, but the benefits are “limitless,” Barnett says.
“Students are awarded full tuition, room and board, and a generous stipend to study at Oxford University,” Barnett says. “The program even covers airfare to London and health-care coverage while a Rhodes Scholar.”
The Rhodes Scholarship program also includes a comprehensive leadership and service program, giving students access to workshops, speakers, and exclusive retreats. Rhodes Scholars also enjoy a wide and prestigious alumni network, which can connect them to jobs and other opportunities while in school and upon graduation.
“The community is relatively small and just as alumni hire recent graduates from colleges and universities, Rhodes Scholars alumni are a very strong network,” Barnett says. “It is an elite club that serves students over a lifetime. Rhodes Scholars are present in all areas of work, politics, the arts, think tanks, science and technology sectors, and more.”
What is it like being a Rhodes Scholar?
Being a Rhodes Scholar is an honor, but it’s also a challenge. As one of the top universities in the world, Oxford’s academic programs are rigorous. In addition to performing well in their academic programs, though, Rhodes Scholars are also expected to stay engaged in their community and be involved in extracurricular activities that broaden their horizons.
“Being a Rhodes scholar comes with high expectations for academic achievement, leadership, and contributions to society,” Sherwood says. “Scholars are often expected to give back to their communities and make a positive impact on the world, both during their time at Oxford and in their future endeavors.”
US Senator Cory Booker, for example, was not only a Rhodes Scholar in the 1990s, but he also served as president of the university’s L’Chaim Society. Rhodes Scholar Salim Yusuf participated in a ground-breaking study on myocardial infarctions.
Rhodes Scholar frequently asked questions
The Rhodes Scholarship process includes an application, numerous endorsements and referrals, an interview, and a social engagement event.
Students from all over the world can apply for a Rhodes Scholarship. The number of scholarships available depends on the country from which you are applying. There are also two global scholarships.
The Rhodes Scholarship is designed for use on two-year postgraduation programs at Oxford University. Some three-year programs are eligible, too.
Rhodes Scholarships are highly competitive. Oxford awards just over 100 scholarships per year. In some countries, only one scholarship is available annually.
There are age restrictions for Rhodes Scholars. US students must be between 18 and 23 by October 1 the year prior to their planned attendance at Oxford or, if they’ve already completed their first undergraduate degree, under the age of 27.
Past Rhodes Scholars have become notable politicians, presidents, film directors, musicians, Nobel Prize winners, and more.
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