Rhodes Scholarship

See Dates & Deadlines page for schedule of information meeting.

PURPOSE
Based on the will of Cecil J. Rhodes, the intent of the Rhodes Scholarships Trust is to aid the promotion of international understanding and peace by bringing able students from around the world to study together for two years at Oxford University. The Rhodes Scholarships are the oldest and most celebrated international fellowship awards in the world.

Rhodes Scholars are chosen not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements, but for their character, commitment to others and to the common good, and for their potential for leadership in whatever domains their careers may lead.

AWARD
Two years of study at Oxford University.  Matriculation, tuition, laboratory and other fees, living allowance, and travel expenses to and from Oxford are made in direct payment to the college and the scholar.  Renewable for a third year for those who initially embark on a doctoral route at the time of admission and whose progress is deemed satisfactory.

NUMBER OFFERED
The United States authorizes 32 Rhodes Scholars per year out of a total of more than 90 finalists interviewed.

FIELDS OF STUDY
Limited only by the offerings of Oxford University

TENABLE AT
Oxford University

ELIGIBILITY

• Citizen of USA (other citizens apply through their own countries)
• Unmarried, between 18 and 24 years of age
• Completed B.A. before tenure at Oxford begins; resident or attended a college or university in the state from which he/she applies for at least two years.
• Rhodes Scholars are judged on:
  1. literary and scholastic attainments
  2. fondness for and success in sports
  3. truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and
  protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness,
  and fellowship
  4. moral force of character and instincts to lead
• No stated minimum GPA for the Rhodes; however, a GPA of lower than 3.8 is not competitive.

  Candidates are nominated by committees in each of the 50 states to appear before a district committee (Vermont is in District I).  Each of the eight district committees, in turn, designates candidates from the group of 12-14 finalists as Rhodes Scholars-elect.  Election to a Rhodes Scholarship does not guarantee entrance to Oxford, as the University makes its own admissions decisions:  election is formally confirmed only after acceptance to an Oxford college.

APPLICATION PROCESS AND DEADLINES

The Rhodes Trust requires endorsement by Middlebury College in order for you to apply.  This rule applies for alumni as well as seniors.  To be nominated, there are two internal deadlines:

1. The first deadline is to submit a preliminary application by April 22, 2013.  Submit in .pdf format to Annie Dolber (adolber@middlebury.edu) in the Student Fellowships office:

• Rhodes application (Preliminary application forms available here.)
• Personal statement, 1000 words or less, describing academic and outside interests, the specific area of proposed study, and reasons for wishing to study at Oxford, concluding with the following signed statement: "I certify that this essay is my own work."
• Résumé:  a succinct list of principal activities and honors in college (including prizes, scholarships, offices held,athletic record, extracurricular interests, and substantial activities) with dates, no more than two pages in length (font no smaller than 10 pt.).
• Banner Degree Progress Report
• Submit signed Fellowship Waiver and Permission Form
  

The British Scholarships Committee at Middlebury will review preliminary applications and send back comments for summer revisions.

Note: letters of recommendation are NOT included in this stage of application.

2. The second internal deadline is for revised applications to be submitted by Tuesday, September 3, 2013 (note this is before classes begin on May 9).  Please submit your revised materials listed above, also in a pdf to adolber@middlebury.edu in the Fellowships office.

You must also call our office at x2455 or stop by ADK 109 to set up an interview time with the British Scholarships committee, who will interview all qualified applicants during the week of September 9, and endorse viable candidates as nominees. 

If you are selected as a Rhodes nominee, it is at this point that you would begin your on-line application and secure your letters of recommendation.  We suggest you let your recommenders know in advance of the pending request.

The annual final application deadline is 11:59 PM on the first Wednesday of October.

CONTACT
Amy Gibans McGlashan, Fellowship Adviser
Adirondack House 202
(802) 443-5103

Website
Rhodes Scholarship