Purpose: The Cecil Rhodes Scholarships are intended to support outstanding scholars who show promise of contributing significantly to the world around them, particularly in the performance of public duties. This is perhaps the most prestigious fellowship awarded in the U.S., with only 32 awarded nationwide each year.

Funding: The award supports two years (with a possibility of extension to a third year) full-time study towards a second Bachelor's degree or a higher-level degree at the University of Oxford, England. (In many areas British curricula differ substantially from those in the U.S., and a second Bachelor’s degree is often appropriate.) The award covers tuition and fees plus a maintenance allowance and assistance with round-trip travel. Study programs must take no less than two and no more than three years to complete.

Eligibility: Citizens of former British colonial holdings (the U.S., Canada, India, and Australia, among other countries) and of Germany who are between 18 and 24 years old by October 1st of the year of application, and who will hold a bachelor’s degree by the time they take up the scholarship, may apply.

Selection Criteria: Proven intellectual and academic achievement of a high standard is the first quality demanded of applicants, but they are also required to show integrity of character, courage, selflessness, interest in and respect for their fellow beings, the ability to lead, and the energy to use their talents to the fullest. Athletic participation was for many years a requirement, but today this criterion is expressed as evidence of a physical vigor that would enable the candidate to contribute effectively to public service.

Application Process: On-campus deadlines are normally right after Fall semester begins, therefore prospective applicants are strongly advised to contact the Rhodes/Marshall faculty adviser in the spring of their junior year.

• Candidates submit a preliminary application to the coordinator, who then conducts screening interviews in September to determine which candidates receive official endorsement from Carleton College. Internal Application Deadline: September 1, 2012
  
• Each candidate who receives such endorsement then files an application in either the state of their legal residence or Minnesota. Official Deadline: October 5, 2012.
• State Selection Committees call selected candidates to interviews in mid-to late November. Two candidates from each state are considered at a District level.
• National selection is announced in early December. Final award of the Scholarship is contingent upon admittance to Oxford.
• Potential applicants are encouraged to look into the other British Isles fellowships with similar deadlines and requirements, and to discuss the potential for multiple applications with the fellowship faculty adviser.
• Recommendation letters:  Recommenders should provide letters (or drafts, at minimum) to Liz Ciner ar the Office of Student Fellowships by the first day of fall term (September 10, 2012), for use by the on-campus selection committee.  Instructions for uploading recommendations for students endorsed by Carleton will follow in late September.

Faculty Adviser:

• Jessica Leiman, 507/222-4326, Laird 207B
  jleiman@carleton.edu

Official Website:  http://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/page/united-states