The Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship is awarded yearly to the world’s top 94 candidates as an invitation for an opportunity to study at prestigious University of Oxford in England. It is the oldest international fellowship in existence. Named after Cecil Rhodes, an English statesman and businessman who made a vast fortune in the diamond market of South Africa in the late 19th century. Born in 1853 the son of a British clergyman, Rhodes was sent to Africa by his parents for health reasons and succeeded in becoming Prime Minister of Cape Colony where he was responsible for the colonization of large amounts of Africa for British rule. Rhodes was also instrumental in the founding of the De Beers Mining Company, a corporation that exists to this day. He was a man who was passionate about education and had a keen desire to absorb every trace of knowledge that was available to him. Upon his passing in March of 1902 Rhodes’ will established the Rhodes Trust that mandated 57 (a number that has nearly doubled since the program’s inception) scholarships to his beloved alma matter, the University of Oxford. These are what we know today as the Rhodes Scholarships.
Past recipients of this prestigious award have included Bill Bradley (1968), a hall of fame professional basketball player and 17 year New Jersey senator who studied literature and history at Oxford. Kris Kristofferson (1959) an accomplished actor and musician who wrote such classics as “Me and Bobby McGee” and went on to achieve film success and obtain notoriety as a country music “outlaw.” MSNBC host Rachel Maddow (2001) studied AIDS and prison reform as a Rhodes Scholar. The first African-American woman to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, Susan Rice (1990) received her masters and doctorate of philosophy from Oxford. The class of ‘34 graduated Dean Rusk who later went on to become Secretary of State for John F Kennedy and Lyndon Johnson. David Souter (1963) completed his studies at Oxford and went on to become a U.S. Supreme Court Justice for nearly two decades and George Stephanopoulos (1984) parlayed his Oxford education into a White House position as communications director under Bill Clinton.
Originally only open to men, the Rhodes Scholarship is now available to women and a much more diverse range of people that have the desire to further their education and have a longing to be citizens of change in every academic and social aspect of life. But excelling in literary and scholastic achievements is not the only qualification to receiving a scholarship. Applicants must possess a desire and drive for compassionate leadership and an understanding of current socio-economic issues. They must also be physically strong and a advocate of sports. They must demonstrate truth, courage and devotion to duty with an eye to protection of the weak with kindness and unselfishness. They need to possess a unique moral compass. Ideally, they are the leaders of the future that oversee change for the betterment of society, candidates are chosen for their potential over a lifetime.
There are 32 Rhodes Scholarships given out annually in the United States, applicants must be U.S. citizens between the ages of at least 18 but not yet 24 and must have achieved adequate academic standing to assure completion of a bachelors degree. States are grouped into 16 districts, each of which choose 2 representatives. There are provisions for one, two or three year programs depending on your past collegiate progress and future degree aspirations. After application and acceptance the scholar-elects are required to be full time students at Oxford and must reside at Oxford during term time. All tuitions and fees are paid by the Rhodes Trust, travel expenses for students can even be arraigned through the scholarship. The Rhodes Trust and University of Oxford call for the selection and admission to Oxford be “without regard to marital status, race, ethnic origin, color, religion, sexual orientation, social background or disability.”
Submission for a Rhodes Scholarship is a two part process, application and interview. Applications are processed exclusively online as are all ancillary documentation such as letters of recommendation and transcriptions. Endorsement by your current college or university is required for any applicant. Among other things you will need are 5-8 letters of referees, your written essay, a photograph and proof of citizenship Of course, you should put in as soon as you are able to ensure that your application is received not only on time but early. Over 1500 requests for scholarships are processed annually. Of these numerous applications only 32 are chosen as scholar-elects so it behooves you to get the necessary paperwork submitted early. You should probably begin preparation by the spring of your junior year as deadlines for applications fall in early October. The American Rhodes Scholarship website (www.Rhodesscholar.org) is the best place to begin your research for information into becoming a Rhodes Scholar. There you can find resources to answer questions and assist you in following the proper sequence of events necessary to submit a suitable application. The FAQ segment of this website is very nearly exhaustive in it’s coverage of Rhodes related information. If you are one of the lucky chosen then you will be required to participate in interviews which are designed to assess the candidates’ strengths and weaknesses and to determine if they meet the criteria that the Rhodes Trust sets forth. The legacy and prestige that accompanies a Rhodes Scholarship is something that follows you for a lifetime. Good luck in your pursuit of higher education.
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