Rhodes Scholarships

Scholarship Sponsored by Rhodes Trust

Description The Rhodes Scholarship (United States constituency) selects students from the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories for graduate study at the University of Oxford beginning October 2027. This guide summarizes who should apply to the U.S. constituency, what the Scholarship requires, and how the selection process works. Read each section carefully to confirm you meet the right constituency and eligibility rules before beginning an application. - Scope:

Covers all U.S. states, DC, and territories (Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands). - Intake:

Successful candidates enter Oxford in October 2027. - Purpose:

Guide to application and selection for the U.S. constituency. - Action:

Confirm constituency and eligibility before applying. Constituency and Districts The Rhodes Trust organizes selection by constituencies; the United States is one constituency divided into sixteen districts. Each district’s selection committee may name up to two Scholars (total of 32 from the U.S.), and winners are announced after district interviews. Candidates must apply to a single district tied to specific residency or education criteria; simultaneous applications to multiple districts or constituencies will disqualify you. - What is a constituency:

Administrative grouping for scholarship management. - District structure: 16 districts; each can select two Scholars. - How to choose:

Apply to the state/territory based on residence or two+ years of college training as specified. - Restriction:

Only one district/constituency application allowed. Eligibility Criteria Eligibility combines legal status, age limits, academic attainment, and language proficiency. You must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident, or an active DACA recipient (with caveats) and meet the age window for 2027 entry. Academically, you must complete your first undergraduate degree by July 2027 and meet Oxford’s minimum entry requirements; Oxford competitiveness is typically indicated by a strong GPA. - Nationality/citizenship:

U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident (green card), or active DACA status. - Age requirements:

Primary window 18–23 on 1 Oct 2026; alternate pathway for certain older graduates as specified. - Academic requirement:

First undergraduate degree completed by July 2027 and must meet Oxford course requirements. - English:

Must meet Oxford’s higher-level English language requirements if English is not your first language. Application Process and Timeline All applications must be submitted online by 23:59 Eastern Time on the October deadline (check the official site for exact date each year). There is no application fee and all applications must be submitted before applying to Oxford; successful Rhodes candidates receive support from Rhodes House when applying to their Oxford course. Applicants may reapply only once (in the same constituency) if unsuccessful, and withdrawals after the deadline are permitted only in exceptional circumstances with formal approval. - Submission:

Online only; no fee; meet the October deadline. - Order:

Apply for Rhodes before submitting Oxford graduate application. - Reapplication:

One permitted subsequent application in same constituency. - Withdrawals:

Allowed post-deadline only for exceptional reasons with approval. Required Application Materials The application requires personal and academic details, a CV, an endorsed application from your college/university, transcripts, referees, and statements about academic and personal aims. You must supply proof of identity/nationality or residency status and submit all documents in English (with official translations where necessary). The Rhodes application asks for between five and eight referees and limits the CV to two letter-size pages without a photograph. - Core items:

Contact details, eligibility evidence, transcripts, endorsement, CV, referees, academic and personal statements. - Identification:

Passport/birth certificate or green card (for permanent residents) or DACA proof where applicable. - Referees:

Minimum five, maximum eight. - Format rules:

Documents in English; CV ≤2 pages; do not include a photograph in the CV. Key Documents to Upload You must upload official documents proving identity/residence, status, and academic record; originals may be requested later. Lawful permanent residents must include their current I‑551 (“green card”); active DACA applicants must upload I‑797 confirmation and Employment Authorization Card. Provide a head-and-shoulders color photograph in JPG format (used only after final shortlisting) and avoid uploading extraneous certificates, testimonials, or URLs. - Identity proof:

Passport, birth certificate, or other government-issued ID. - Residency proof:

Green card for permanent residents; I‑797 and EAD for DACA. - Academic proof:

Official university transcripts showing grades. - Photos and extras:

Submit JPG head-and-shoulders photo; do not upload unnecessary documents or links. Selection, Interviews, and Outcomes District Committees conduct interviews and make final selections; names of winners are announced following district interviews and no alternates are chosen. Committees verify legal residence and may investigate any inconsistencies in submitted materials. If the National Secretariat concludes there has been misrepresentation it may withdraw applications or rescind offers. - Decision makers:

District Committees for each U.S. district. - Announcement:

Winners announced at close of district interviews; no alternates. - Verification:

Committees check residency and authenticity of materials. - Consequences:

Misrepresentation can lead to withdrawal or rescission. Special Procedures and Exceptions Certain exceptions and procedural clarifications exist: GPA guidance, inter‑jurisdictional applications, and travel cautions for DACA recipients. A GPA of 3.70/4.0 is a benchmark; universities may submit a formal exception request by a senior administrator for unusually strong candidates below that GPA, submitted by the specified September deadline. Candidates with ties to multiple constituencies may request inter-jurisdictional consideration but remain subject to age, language, and academic rules; DACA applicants must independently assess travel and return risks. - GPA benchmark: 3.70/4.0 typical; exceptions require a university-led petition. - Exception process:

Exception requests must come from a university president or designee and follow instructions and deadlines. - Inter‑jurisdictional:

Possible when strong connections exist but nationality/residency criteria are not fully met; some criteria still apply. - DACA travel caution:

Rhodes Trust does not advise on travel/return immigration risks for DACA recipients—applicants must determine their own risk. Where to Get Help If you are unsure about district eligibility, academic requirements, or special cases, consult the online eligibility checker and contact the U.S. National Secretary for definitive guidance. The Rhodes Trust website contains full forms, deadlines, document specifications, and the data protection policy applicants should read before submitting an application. - Eligibility checker:

Use the online tool to confirm constituency/district. - National Secretary:

Contact for ambiguous residency or special-case decisions. - Official resources:

Refer to Rhodes Trust website for forms, deadlines, and policies. - Data protection:

Review the Trust’s applicant data protection policy before applying.