The Rhodes Scholarships are postgraduate awards supporting outstanding all-round students at the University of Oxford, and providing transformative opportunities for exceptional individuals. Established in 1903 under the will of Cecil Rhodes, the Rhodes is the oldest and perhaps the most prestigious international graduate scholarship program in the world. A class of 83 Scholars is selected each year, with 32 granted to citizens of the United States. Recipients may choose any full-time post-graduate course offered by the University of Oxford.

Eligibility

All applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Citizen of the U.S. OR a lawful permanent resident of the U.S. OR a U.S. resident with DACA status on April 15 in the year of application.
• Eligible to apply through one of the 50 states, the District of Columbia, or one of the U.S. territories: either in the state or territory where the applicant was legally resident on April 15 in the year of application, or where the applicant will have received at least two years of college training and a bachelor’s degree before October 1 in the year following election.
• At least 18 but not yet 24 years of age (i.e., the applicant must still be 23 on Oct 1 in the year of application).
• CUA requirement: minimum 3.85 GPA 

Selection Criteria

Four main criteria are used in the election of Scholars:

• Literary and scholastic attainments
• 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
• Moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in, one's fellow beings.

Application Process

1. Visit the Rhodes Scholarship website to review criteria and eligibility requirements. Begin the online application (can be saved and completed in multiple sittings).
2. Email cua-fellowships@cua.edu once you have looked over the Rhodes Scholarship website. 
3. Complete entire application for endorsement by 27 July.
4. Receive endorsement from faculty through the on-campus interview process. 
5. Submit the application to Rhodes by the application deadline, which is 11:59pm EST on the first Wednesday of October each year.

What to Expect

• Applicants should expect to work with the Fellowships Adviser to revise their application components several times. However, the Rhodes strictly prohibits the applicant from seeking help or accepting edits/feedback on their personal statements.
• After submitting their application online by the campus deadline, each applicant will have a campus interview. 
• Following this interview, an endorsement letter from the campus committee will be uploaded by the Fellowships Adviser and submitted with the completed application to Rhodes.
• All application materials will then be reviewed by Regional Review Committees. 
• Semi-finalists will interview with the Regional Review Committee on the Friday and Saturday prior to Thanksgiving.