The Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest and perhaps the best known of the postgraduate scholarships. An endowment bequeathed by Cecil J. Rhodes in 1903 established the Rhodes Scholarship Trust to bring outstanding students from many countries around the world to the University of Oxford. Every year, thirty-two U.S. citizens win Rhodes Scholarships.

The Rhodes is a graduate scholarship for two years of study at the University of Oxford. Rhodes Scholars may pursue any full-time graduate course offered by the University, whether a taught Master's program or research degree.

Rhodes specified in his will the four standards by which applicants should be judged: 

1. Literary and scholastic ability and attainments;
2. Truthfulness, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship;
3. Moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in, one’s fellow beings;
4. Physical vigor, energy.  This used to be associated with sports, but the Rhodes Trust now has a broader interpretation of this standard.

The Rhodes has recently broadened its scope; when looking for civic leadership, committees will not disqualify a social activist, and when looking for athletic prowess, they might accept hiking. Rhodes has deemphasized sports because of the developing “professional orientation” in college athletics. Athletic achievement combined with successes in other areas, however, would not be a detriment. The most important qualities are character, intellect, and an ability to make a difference in the world. People who are strongly goal-oriented and who have achieved some measure of success in these goals make good candidates. As stated by the Rhodes Trust, “Intellectual distinction is a necessary but not a sufficient condition for election to a Rhodes Scholarship. Selection committees are charged to seek excellence in qualities of mind and in qualities of person which, in combination, offer the promise of effective service to the world in the decades ahead. The Rhodes Scholarships, in short, are investments in individuals rather than in project proposals. Accordingly, applications are sought from talented students without restriction as to their field of academic specialization or career plans although the proposed course of study must be available at Oxford, and the applicant’s undergraduate program must provide a sufficient basis for further study in the proposed field.”

The Rhodes Trustees cover all educational costs, including tuition, relevant fees, and travel for two-three years of study at Oxford University.

2022-23 Rhodes Scholarship Submission Instructions
2022-23 Rhodes Instructions for Applicants - Letters of Recommendation
2022-23 Rhodes Scholarship Questionnaire - Optional
2022-23 Rhodes Instructions for Referees re: Letters of Recommendation

Rhodes Activities List samples

By the campus deadline of July 7, 2023, candidates must submit the following through UFunds, Brown's online application system. 

This is the deadline to be considered for nomination by Brown. Candidates seeking Brown’s nomination must submit the following:

• 750 -Word Personal Statement (please note that in accordance with the rules of the Rhodes trust you cannot receive feedback on this statement). 
• 350 Word Academic Statement of Study
• 2-page Activities List -that includes extracurricular activities (such as community service, leadership, athletic participation, etc.) and academic involvements outside of the classroom such as research or publications, as well as other honors.
• OPTIONAL - Responses to a Brown specific questionnaire  (found in UFUNDS, Brown's online application system)
• 5-8 letters of recommendation - at least three of which must be from Brown faculty. Letters of Reference should be addressed to the Rhodes Committee.
• Official or unofficial Transcript - and if applicable, transcripts from other institutions attended both domestically and abroad. Only if you studied for an entire year, do you need to supply the transcript from that school. 

No one should submit their application through the Rhodes online application system prior to Brown's internal review.