Do you want to be a Rhodes Scholar? Sure, to be a Rhodes scholar will feel like winning the lottery, because it requires not only academic excellence, but also a number of character qualities starting from kindliness and courage to possess a commitment to others.
Certainly, there are a number of requirements that you have to meet if you want to get the Rhodes scholarship. If you are interested in applying for a Rhodes scholarship, but you do not know the requirements that you should meet, no worries, this post will inform you of some requirements to apply for Rhodes scholarship. Let’s find out below!
Some Requirements to Apply for Rhodes Scholarship
Only applicants from Canada, the United States and those eligible for a Global Rhodes Scholarship will have a chance of winning this scholarship. You also need to seek a nomination from Dartmouth.
Here’s a list of Rhodes scholarship requirements:
- Must be a Canadian and United States citizen/ lawful permanent resident, DACA recipient or a citizen from a country that is not covered by Rhodes Scholarship.
- Must be 18 years old, but not yet 24 by October 1 of application year or up to a maximum age of 28 (If the first undergraduate degree was earned within the last 2 years.
- Must have a sufficiently advanced academic standing to ensure completion of a bachelor’s degree before 1 October of the year following application.
Okay, those are some requirements that you should meet if you want to apply for Rhodes Scholarship.
How to Apply for Rhodes Scholarship?
If you are interested in applying for Rhodes scholarship, make sure to understand the eligibility and selection criteria for those awards, though the specific criteria will vary from program to program. Here are what you should do:
- To demonstrate a high steem for scholarship and commitment to the public through significant involvement.
- Should be able to present a compelling and well-constructed case for your academic program of choice in the United Kingdom or Ireland.
- Must have high academic achievement.
- Can articulate a clear vision for your academic and professional future.
- Can secure 3 to 8 in-depth letters of recommendation from credible individuals.
Here’s step-by-step to apply for Rhodes Scholarship:
Step 1: Meet with ONSA to discuss the application process
First, you need to email your resume and unofficial transcript to Dr. Kyle Mox at kyle.mox@asu.edu. If you are competitive and eligible, you will then be invited to schedule a follow-up meeting to discuss the application process. Then, if you decide to continue, you need to apply to the Applicant development Program.
Step 2: Identify Prospective Graduate Programs
You also need to start researching graduate programs in Ireland or the UK that meet the requirements of the award. With this way, you will find recent publications by the faculty on those programs, get recent graduates of the programs and also reach out to the faculty members especially if you have questions about how your research interests and academics fit these programs.
Step 3: Identify Potential Recommenders
You also have to identify potential recommenders. After that, you should meet and ask them if they will be willing to write a letter on your behalf. If they are willing, you can progress in the application process.
Step 4: Apply to the ONSA Applicant Development Program
If you want to apply for nominated awards, you will be required to participate in the ONSA Applicant Development Program (ADP). The application is available through the ONSA website.
Step 5: Prepare Application Materials
You should draft, revise and also edit your application materials under ONSA advisors guidance, in preparation for the final selections of the ASU nominees in mid-August. You will get structured and in-depth guidance from April through August.
Step 6: Submit ‘Intent to Apply’ Secure Letter of Recommendations
You will have to formally ask for a letter of recommendations, about four weeks before the nomination deadline. You also need to work with your referees to make sure that your letter of recommendation is submitted. On August 1, you also have to submit an ‘Intent to Apply’ form that includes a list of your confirmed recommenders.
Step 7: Participate in Nomination Interviews
You will then be invited to participate in a selection interview with the ASU nomination committee in September. If you are nominated to the Rhodes, Mitchell or Marshall Scholarships, you will then work with ONSA to submit your applications prior to the October deadlines.
How to Be a Rhodes Scholar?
To apply Rhodes Scholarship, you will be typically encouraged to apply during your junior year of college. The online application commonly opens in early July each year and closes in early October.
The U.S. territories and states are grouped into 16 districts. Afterwards, the candidates that are shortlisted should attend a district reception and interview in November, after each district committee chooses a maximum of two winners.
You will need to look for an endorsement letter from your institution’s president, dean or also other official responsible for graduate fellowships. This endorsement has to include a confirmation which you have satisfied or will satisfy the requirements to get a bachelor’s degree in the year following the submission of the application (if you are an undergraduate).
You must also be at least 18 years old. When you apply for Rhodes Scholarship, ensure that you have not passed your 24th birthday on October 1 in the year where they are applying. You should also have completed or will have completed an undergraduate degree from a college or university with a GPA of 3.70 or higher.
Moreover, you also need to supply some part of your application including an official transcript, 5 to 8 letters of reference, a full CV and a personal statement of no more than 1,000 words.
In this case, the personal statement frequently shows the greatest challenge to you going through the intensive application process. Need to know, the college will not help you with your personal statements and some institutions such as Harvard. Of course, the statement here is a chance for you to stand out, but the stakes are high.
