George Mitchell Scholarship FAQ
RHODES SCHOLARSHIP FAQ
Elliot Gerson, American Secretary of the Rhodes Trust
(703) 821-5960
www.rhodesscholar.org
What is the Rhodes Scholarship?
The Rhodes Scholarship is a highly competitive scholarship awarded to 32 American students each year for two (possibly three) years of study at Oxford University. In addition to the American scholars, students from over 20 other countries are also selected for the award. Approximately 95 Rhodes Scholars are selected worldwide each year.
Who is eligible for the Scholarship?
The award is open to US citizens from all fields of study. Students who do not have US citizenship may apply through their home country's Rhodes committee, if applicable. Applicants must be between the ages of 18 and 24.
Are there restrictions on Scholars' field of study?
Rhodes Scholars may pursue a bachelors, masters, or doctoral degree at Oxford in any field, provided that he or she is qualified for the program. Selection as a Rhodes Scholar does not guarantee admission to the college and/or program of one's choice. Most Scholars do graduate work. Scholars cannot attempt to do an MBA in their first year of study.
How does the application process work?
The Rhodes Scholarship application process is decentralized. There are 50 state competitions. Each state's selection committee chooses two candidates two advance to regional competition. There are eight regions, and each region elects four Rhodes Scholars.
What is needed for the application?
A complete application consists of the completed application form; the applicant's college transcript; a list of the student's activities, a personal statement, not exceeding 1,000 words, explaining the student's proposed field of study and reasons for wishing to study at Oxford; an institutional endorsement form; and letters of appraisal between five and eight referees, of which at least four letters must come from the student's instructors.
What type of students are selected as Rhodes Scholars?
In Cecil Rhodes's will, he named the traits that Scholars should seek:
• Proven intellectual and academic achievement of a high degree
• Ability to show character to the full
• Interest and respect for their fellow beings
• Ability to lead
• Energy to use their talents to full, as demonstrated by participation and success in sports
In other words, academics are not enough. Students should show creativity, leadership, vision, vigor, and concern for others. They should have a sparkle that comes through in the interview. The selection process is fairly subjective, but the selection panel knows a Rhodes Scholar when they see one. Oxford also must be the right place for a student to study. Read the biographies of recent Scholars on the website to get an understanding of the caliber of students who are selected. In particular, the major national scholarships tend to prefer students who start things, rather than those who serve as placeholders.
What are the chances to win?
In 2003, there were 963 applicants. 98 were invited to regional interviews, and 32 were selected.
Is there a minimum GPA?
No, but a candidate would need to compensate for less-than-stellar grades with exceptional extracurricular and other activities.
What is the interview like, and how important is it?
Typically, there is a reception or dinner the night before the interviews. This allows the students to meet the interview panel and each other, and also to relax before the interviews. The interviews the following day usually last 30 minutes. The interviews are notoriously challenging, but focus on the applicant's strengths
What if a candidate does not participate in sports?
Participation is actual athletics is seen as being a positive attribute, but it is not mandatory. The selection panels look for evidence of the candidate's vigor, whether demonstrated by extracurricular activities, community service, or other activities. However, if the panel is considering two candidates who are essentially equal except for participation in sports, the panel will likely consider athletics to be the ‘tiebreaker'.
Helen Mann
What is the Marshall Scholarship?
The Marshall is an award that provides at least 40 Americans with funding for two or three years of study at any university in the United Kingdom. The Scholarship covers tuition, fees, living expenses, travel to/from the UK, and some travel within the country.
Who is eligible for the Scholarship?
The award is open to US citizens who have a GPA above 3.7 and who will graduate from their host institution after April three years before the award would begin, meaning that applicants beginning studies in the UK in October 2005 must have graduated by April 2002.
How competitive is the Scholarship?
The award is highly competitive. Each year, approximately 1100 applications are received for 40-44 positions.
What is the application process?
The application consists of the information form, a personal statement, a statement on the student's proposed field of study, four letters of reference, a letter of endorsement from the candidate's university, and academic and other documentation. Applications are submitted to one of eight regional centers. Finalists will be invited to interview at their region's consulate in mid-November.
Interviews typically last thirty minutes. The interview panel consists of former Marshall Scholars, academics, and leaders. The interviews are challenging, with an emphasis on the candidate's field of study, with particular emphasis placed on what the candidate wrote in his/her application and essays.
What does the selection panel seek in candidates?
The panel looks for students who have strong intellect, character, scholastic achievement, strong activities, and the ability to contribute to the academic life at a British university. Candidates must be able to engage the readers or interviewers and communicate their passion.
What is the Texas Marshall Scholarship?
There are two additional Marshall Scholarships available to candidates studying the biosciences at major Texas universities. The application procedure is the same as for the regular Marshall Scholarship program, but the application must be submitted to the Houston region.
GEORGE J. MITCHELL SCHOLARSHIP FAQ
Dell Pendergrast
(703) 841-5843
What is the Mitchell Scholarship?
The Mitchell is a highly competitive scholarship awarded to 12 American students each year for one year of study in Ireland. It is named in honor of Senator George Mitchell, who helped negotiate peace in the Northern Ireland conflict. It is a new scholarship; the first class was selected only in 2000.
Who is eligible?
The program is open to US citizens between the ages of 18 and 30. Applicants do not need to have Irish heritage to apply for the award. Students from any field of study may apply.
Where do the students study?
Mitchell Scholars may study at virtually any university in Ireland. The complete list is available on the program's web site. Because the program tries to place students throughout Ireland, it is highly advantageous for candidates to list several university choices. There are five options on the application, and candidates are advised to name at least three choices.
Are there limits on the subjects that students can study?
No, as long as the program can be completed in one year, which typically limits participants to one-year masters' programs.
What is the application process for Mitchell?
The initial application process is entirely online. The student fills out his or her information, extracurricular activities, and essay online. Letters of evaluation (between five and eight) are only accepted online. The only parts of the application that are mailed are the proof of US citizenship, transcripts, and photographs.
From the initial pool of applicants, 20 are selected for interviews. They are flown to Washington, DC in November for the interview. The Mitchell interview directly conflicts with the dates of the Rhodes interviews, so applicants who receive invitations to both must choose. The odds of selection in Mitchell interviews are high: 12 of the 20 interviewees will be selected.
What does the Mitchell selection panel look for?
The panel is looking for documented strengths in the areas of academics, leadership, and community service. Successful applicants are equally strong in all three areas. Read current Scholars' biographies on the Mitchell website for more information.