Rhodes Scholarship Application Requirements
Overview of the requirements to apply to the Rhodes Scholarship
Eligibility Requirements: Who can apply?
The criteria for entry into the Rhodes competition are country-specific; use this resource on the Rhodes website to determine what the rules for your country are.
For the United States competition, the eligibility requirements for entry into the Rhodes scholarship competition are:
You must be aged 18-23 on October 1st of the year you apply, OR you must be under the age of 27 on the 1st of October the year you apply and have completed your first undergraduate degree on or after October 1st the previous year
You must have at least a 3.7/4.0 GPA, although exceptions can be made with special permission from your university’s administration
Take special note of that second criterion. As you’ll read below, the Rhodes scholarship is awarded based on both academic excellence and character traits, but the former is a prerequisite for applying in the United States. If you want to apply to the Rhodes scholarship, you’ll want to keep your GPA above the minimum.
Selection Criteria: Who wins?
The four selection criteria for the Rhodes scholarship are:
Literary and scholastic attainments (academic excellence)
Energy to use one's talents to the full (as demonstrated by mastery in areas such as sports, music, debate, dance, theatre, and artistic pursuits, particularly where teamwork is involved)
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
Note that Rhodes uses a broad range of selection criteria: although academic excellence is required, it’s not sufficient to win the scholarship by itself. There is substantial emphasis placed on character: scholars are the kind of people who take initiative in the areas they’re passionate about, dedicate themselves to helping others, and do the right thing, even when it’s challenging.
What does the application consist of?
It helps to familiarize yourself with the components so that you have a better idea of what you’ll need to do when the time comes. The core components of the Rhodes Application are:
An endorsement from your university. Colleges have different processes for awarding endorsements, but essentially you’ll need someone from your university to sign off on your application. You can ask your school’s career or fellowships office for more details.
An official transcript
A 1-2 page resume
A 350-word Academic Statement detailing what you want to study at Oxford, why you want to pursue that course of study at Oxford, and what qualifications make you prepared to do so
A 750-word Personal Statement answering the following 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?
5-8 letters of recommendation, at least 4 of which must come from academics who have taught you in the classroom, and at least 1 of which must come from someone who can speak to your character outside an academic context
How can I put together the best possible application?
If you’re interested in applying for the Rhodes, I have good news and bad news for you.
The bad news: your chances of winning the Rhodes scholarship are inherently low, no matter how accomplished you are as a candidate.
The good news: applying for the Rhodes scholarship can be an incredibly rewarding experience. This application will force you to think deeply about yourself and clarify the impact you want to make on the world. Plus, there are sure-fire things you can do to boost your chances: write a clear and compelling academic statement, identify the right set of recommenders, and follow the unwritten rules for writing a great resume.
Going into the process with the most informed possible perspective can help you avoid common errors and show the selection committee the incredibly talented person you really are. My Rhodes Application Guide is packed with information to help you make the most of the process.
My 34-page Rhodes application guide includes:
An explanation of how I structured my own personal statement as a finalist
Tips on nailing the academic statement
The unwritten rules of writing a great resume
Sample emails to help your recommenders write the best possible letter
And more! Check it out.