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Rhodes Scholarship

Overview

Each year the Rhodes Trust selects 32 outstanding scholars for 2-3 years of fully funded, post-graduate study at the University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. The aim of the Rhodes Scholarship is to gather young leaders from around the world to pursue education together and build mutual understanding to create a better world. Rhodes Scholars demonstrate intellectual distinction, concern for others, energy to lead, and commitment to public service.

 

Rhodes Scholarship

Eligibility

  • U.S. Citizen (There are opportunities for non-US Citizens. Please reach out for more information.)
  • Minimum 3.7 GPA
  • Must be 18-23 years of age as of the national deadline in October OR be under the age of 27 and have completed their undergraduate degree on or after October of the previous calendar year. 

Selection Criteria

Rhodes Scholarship selection criteria include:

  • Literary and Scholastic Achievement (3.7 GPA minimum, 3.9+ avg.)
  • “Energy to use one’s talents to the full”
  • “Truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship” (Service)
  • “Moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one’s fellow beings” (Leadership)

Campus Application Materials

  • Application form that includes:
    • Biographical information.
    • Multiple essays based upon the specific prompts included on application form.
  • Two-page resume consisting of college activities and honors.
  • A completed waiver.
  • Transcripts from other institutions attended (copies, screenshots, etc. are ok).
  • 5 - 8 letters of recommendation emailed directly to fellowships@osu.edu.

Application Procedure

Deadlines for drafts in advance of campus deadline – June 3, June 24, July 8, July 22.
Campus Application Deadline – August 5, 2024

Campus Application Process

Because the university is required to nominate candidates for this opportunity, there is an internal application process. To be considered for university nomination, send an email to fellowships@osu.edu to request an application form. 

For best consideration, applicants must submit two drafts of their application form and resume in advance of the campus application deadline. Deadlines for your drafts are listed above; you may submit on two of the dates that work best for your schedule.

By 5 pm on the campus deadline, submit all of the materials listed above, including letters of recommendation, to fellowships@osu.edu. A panel of faculty and distinguished scholars will convene to review applications and conduct interviews with a select number of applicants. The nominees will then work with faculty and staff to create a competitive application for the national deadlines in October.

For support on your application, reach out to fellowships@osu.edu at any time while the applications are open.
 

National Application Deadline – October 2, 2024

Undergraduate Fellowship Office staff will communicate with nominees about revision processes and additional internal deadlines.

Past Rhodes Scholars
  • 2020-2021 - Daniel Lesman
  • 2019-2020 - Henry Wu
  • 2018-2019 - Laila Ujayli
  • 2015-2016 - Ilhan Dahir
  • 2007-2008 - Jessica Hanzlik 
  • 1985-1986 - Michael Lanese​
  • 1929-1930 - Ferdinand Stone
  • 1912-1913 - Francis Lester Patton
  • 1906-1907 - Shirley Townshend Wing