Rhodes Scholarship Information Session

Wednesday, March 26, at 5:00 p.m.

Toldo 203

The Rhodes Scholarship:The Most Significant of Many

There are many significant national and international student scholarships available that support post-graduate study: The Rhodes The Chevening The Gates Cambridge The Fulbright The Frank Knox The Mackenzie King

These awards take years to prepare for. We are here today to initiate that process, for some of you; and for others, we are here to invited you to consider applying this summer for the Rhodes Scholarship.

If you hope to apply in future, please identify yourselves to us. We’re eager to help you.

The 3M-STLHE Award A National Canadian Award

The STLHE offers a $5,000 prize to a select list of undergraduate student leaders.

Consider their backgrounds. Is this something you could aspire to? http://www.stlhe.ca/awards/3m-national-student-fellowship/

20143mnsf/

The Rhodes Scholarship for Canada

The Rhodes Scholarships are graduate 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 from Australia, Bermuda, Canada, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Jamaica and Commonwealth Caribbean, Kenya, New Zealand, Pakistan, Southern Africa (including South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, and Swaziland), United States, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.

Rhodes’ Vision

• To develop outstanding leaders who would be motivated to fight 'the world's fight' and to 'esteem the performance of public duties as their highest aim', and to promote international understanding and peace.

About Oxford & Rhodes

At Oxford, the oldest university in the English-speaking world, Rhodes Scholars join just over 20,000 students from more than 140 countries currently studying at the University, and are enriched by the stimulating and rigorous education and the vibrant cultural and community life.

Rhodes alumni interviews: http://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/page/shona-brown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OLqVUl_Hlo4&feature=player_embedded https://www.youtube.com/watch?

v=LVsS8zZIVvE&feature=player_embedded#at=13

• Rhodes House, Oxford, is the home of the Rhodes Scholarships and the Rhodes Trust

• Rhodes House welcomes lectures, seminars, conferences, dinners and other events

• The Rhodes House Library is home to the Bodleian Library of Commonwealth & African Studies

'Glimpses of Rhodes' videos

http://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/glimpses-of-rhodes

Our Rhodes Scholar: Josh Chauvin

• Bachelor of Arts [H]-Philosophy and Psychology• Other information:

– Published research on artificial neural networks, volunteer with the Canadian Mental Health Association, produced and directed a film entitled “I Am Not AIDS” with the help of the AIDS Committee of Windsor

– Volunteer at Windsor Pride – Established a new student organization called Student Filmmakers as Social

Advocates which is currently working on a documentary to highlight mental illness stigmatization

• Josh’s current bio’s and contact information: – http://www.psy.ox.ac.uk/team/students/joshua-chauvin– http://mindyourheadoxford.org/about.html#whoweare – Email: joshua.chauvin@new.ox.ac.uk

What costs does a Rhodes Scholarship cover?

• All University and College fees• The University application fee• A personal stipend which is fixed by the

Trustees (£13,390 in 2013-14)• Private health insurance• One economy class airfare to Oxford at the start

of the scholarship and one economy flight back to the student's home country at the conclusion of the scholarship

What costs does a Rhodes Scholarship cover?

• Scholars come into residence in Oxford in October of the year following their selection

What course of study?

• Rhodes Scholars come from many academic backgrounds and pursue a wide variety of courses at Oxford.  The Scholarship is more accurately viewed as an investment in a person of remarkable promise than support for a particular course of study.  Applicants should study the University of Oxford’s course offerings to determine the degree for which they would apply.

Four Selection Criteria

Cecil Rhodes’ will outlines four criteria to be used in the election of Scholars:

1. literary and scholastic attainments

2. energy to use one's talents to the full

3. truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship

4. moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one's fellow beings.

In short, Rhodes Scholarship selection committees will be seeking young women and men of outstanding intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service.  The Rhodes Scholarships support students who demonstrate strong propensity to emerge as 'leaders for the world’s future'.

How to Apply

• The first stage of the application process consists of a written portfolio, including:– A personal statement of 900 words setting forth your

general interests, activities, and aspirations; reasons for wishing to study a particular course of study at Oxford; and vision as to future endeavour.

– Curriculum vitae (resume) listing your principal commitments and honours while at university, including scholarships, prizes, awards, leadership positions held, athletic record, and extracurricular interests and activities.

Age

• By October 1 of the year following election– a minimum age limit is 18– a maximum age limit is 26 for Canadian

candidates (28 in some other countries)

• The Rhodes Scholarship may not be deferred

How to Apply

– University transcript, listing all courses and grades, certified by the University's Registrar's Office

– The names and contact details for six referees, who will be asked by the regional selection committee to write a letter assessing your qualification for the award. At least four of these letters must be academic in nature, testifying to your scholastic achievements and intellectual potential.

– A written statement from the President of your university endorsing your candidacy for the scholarship

How to Apply

– Photocopy of a birth certificate or other government-issued evidence of age (notarized with English translation, if necessary). To be eligible for the 2015 Rhodes Scholarship, a candidate must have been born between October 2, 1990, and October 1, 1996.

– A digital or scanned head and shoulders photograph

How Important Is the Personal Essay/Statement?

• Very! • The requirements vary by country• The personal statement is your chance to tell your story:

who are you? what matters to you? what are you hoping to do in the world?

• This essay gives you the opportunity to cast the overarching narrative for the selection committee

• It is crucial that you give a clear statement of what you wish to study at Oxford and why

What Should I Expect of the Interview?

• Selection committees are made up of Rhodes Scholars and community leaders from diverse backgrounds. 

• The interview is of core importance as it is here that selection committees have the opportunity to weigh up a candidate's depth of engagement, accomplishments, and aspirations.

What Should I Expect of the Interview?

• The interview will therefore be wide-ranging in nature, designed to test candidates' intellectual skills and reasoning ability, but also to reveal their character, core commitments, and potential to make a positive contribution to society.

Can Married Students Apply?

• Yes• Applicants should bear in mind, however, that

the Scholarship stipend is sufficient only for one person, and that the Trust takes no financial responsibility for the support of a Scholar's spouse. Rhodes House, Oxford, warmly welcomes the partners of Rhodes Scholars, who are invited to all Rhodes events.

Class of 2014

• http://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/homepage-rotation/meet-the-rhodes-scholars-elect-class-of-2014

Rhodes News

• http://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/page/rhodes-e-news

• Five different Canadian Rhodes newsletters are available here:

• http://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/search?keywords=newsletter&x=-999&y=-10

Interested?

Next Steps

• Review the Rhodes Scholarship web page• Chat with Clayton Smith, Simon du Toit, or faculty

members in your program of study• Decide if you wish to pursue Rhodes this year, or in a

future year• During the summer draft a letter of interest that speaks

to how you meet Rhodes’ criteria• Submit your letter no later than August 1, 2014 to

Student & International Affairs, 117 CAW Students Centre

Our Selection Process

• Review all letters of interest• Interview top candidates (top candidates will be

invited to an interview preparation workshop)• Make a recommendation to the President• President selects University of Windsor nominee

Application Package

• Needs to be filed with the Rhodes online application system using a code provided by the Office of Student Awards & Financial Aid

• Anticipated date: early October