The Rhodes Scholarships, the oldest international educational fellowships, are tenable at the University of Oxford. American Rhodes Scholars are selected through a decentralized process by which regional selection committees choose 32 scholars each year representing the fifty states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. Election to the scholarship is normally for two or three years, depending upon the degree program pursued by the scholar.

Proven intellectual and academic achievement of a high standard is the first quality required of applicants, but they will also be required to show integrity of character, commitment to others and to the common good, and their potential for leadership in whatever domains their careers may lead. All educational costs, such as matriculation, tuition and certain fees, are paid on the scholar's behalf by the Rhodes trustees. In addition, each scholar receives a stipend and necessary costs of travel.

Deadlines

Internal: Second Wednesday in August
External: First Wednesday in October
Here's the link to view this year's specific deadline dates.

Eligibility

  • An applicant must be a citizen of the United States, or a lawful permanent resident of the United States, or a U.S. resident with DACA status on April 15 in the year of application;
  • An applicant must be at least 18 but not yet 24 years of age (applicants must still be 23 on October 1 in the year of application);
  • you must have completed (or will have completed by June/July of deadline year) an undergraduate degree with a GPA of 3.70 or higher;
  • The applicant must be eligible to apply through one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or one of the U.S. territories: either in the state where they were legally resident on April 15 in the year of application, or where they will have received at least two years of college training and a bachelor's degree from a college or university in one of the 50 states, District of Columbia or U.S. territory.

Application

The application is available on July 1 at rhodesscholar.org. Documents include:

  • Application form;
  • A 750 word personal statement which asks scholars to reflect and engage across three interrelated spheres of 'self, others, and world'. This is intentionally in sync with the leadership development framework that informs the Character, Service, and Leadership program for Rhodes Scholars-in-Residence and is your chance to tell your story in your own voice: Who are you? 
    You are asked to address the following three prompts - Which Rhodes Scholar quality do you display most strongly, and how are other contexts and people helping you to develop the others? What would you like to learn from the Rhodes and wider community in Oxford? From your place in the world, what is humanity's greatest need?
  • A 350 word Academic Statement of Study describing the applicant's academic and other interests, the specific areas of proposed study and reasons for wishing to study at Oxford;
  • A full curriculum vitae which should include details about academic qualifications, prizes, scholarships, positions of leadership, employment, involvement in student, voluntary, community or political activities and any cultural, musical or sporting accomplishments. This should not exceed two pages;
  • Five, but not more than eight, letters of recommendation. At least four of these letters must be persons from whom the applicant has received undergraduate or graduate instruction, and at least one letter (the fifth) must speak to the applicant’s character and/or involvement in extra-curricular/service or leadership activities;
  • Institutional endorsement letter;
  • A certified transcript from each college or university attended;
  • Proof of citizenship or lawful permanent resident status;
  • A head-and-shoulders color photograph (jpg format).

Learn more at rhodesscholar.org, by visiting the Office of National Fellowships & Scholarships, or by contacting the faculty liaison.