The Rhodes Scholarship offers scholarships to citizens of any country. Applicants not eligible to apply through a specific Rhodes constituency must follow the procedure below under “Special Note for Global, Multi-jurisdictional, or Inter-jurisdictional candidates.”Information on eligibility and the specific application process and requirements for Rhodes jurisdictions can be found on the Rhodes Trust website. Potential Penn applicants are invited to learn more about the application process by enrolling in the CURF Fellowship Resources canvas site. And attending a Fellowships Explained. Virtual session and scheduling an appointment with Dr. Wallace Genser.
Rhodes Scholarships are awarded for two or more years of study at Oxford University (two years is the minimum, and recipients may apply for the third year of funding to support doctoral studies). The Rhodes Scholarship pays all tuition and fees, in addition to a personal allowance for living expenses. Potential applicants should consult with CURF and their mentors to identify appropriate graduate programs at Oxford that meet the Rhodes Scholarship’s Terms and Conditions.
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Brief Description
| Organization | The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania |
| Education Level | Undergraduate |
| Subjects | Any |
| Amount | Educational Fund |
| Access Mode | Online |
| Number of Awards | NA |
| City | Any |
| Nationality | Domestic |
| Country | USA |
| Contest Deadline | August 1, 2023 |
| Application Fees | NA |
| Requirements | Scholarship Application |
Who is Eligible?
In addition to demonstrating wide-ranging academic excellence and a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.70, the most successful candidates have demonstrated initiative and commitment to larger issues such as service, research, and engagement in efforts to serve humanity both on and beyond campus. During the spring and summer, before applying, applicants explore Oxford graduate degree programs so that at the time of application, they have an articulated reason for studying at Oxford. The key Rhodes qualities are:
- Academic excellence through a cumulative GPA of at least 3.70
- Mastery in a skill or area that normally involves teamwork (such as sports, music, debate, dance, theatre, artistic pursuits, or other endeavors)
- Unselfishness and a demonstrated commitment to helping the less fortunate
- The moral character required to become a leader in your field.
How to Apply?
- Candidates should indicate their intent to apply for endorsement for the Rhodes Scholarship (as well as the Marshall Scholarship and Mitchell Scholarship, if relevant) as soon as possible by completing Penn’s Spring Consultations form. Candidates will then be assigned a Fellowship Advisor to help them clarify goals, values, and purposes, assist with application details and draft the university’s endorsement letter. Candidates requesting endorsement after July 1 must contact Dr. Wallace Genser at genser@upenn.edu to request consideration for the University of Pennsylvania endorsement.
- As soon as you have arranged for letters of recommendation for the Rhodes Scholarship, begin working on your CURF Rhodes Application. If you are also applying for the Marshall Scholarship (which US applicants are strongly encouraged to do), separate requests must be submitted for each award. At this point, DO NOT request letters of recommendation through the Rhodes application system.
- Complete Penn’s Internal Rhodes application form, including the upload of your statement, list of principal activities and honors in college, unofficial transcript from Penn InTouch (and other institutions, if relevant), and a high-quality digital photograph of yourself (one that would be appropriate for a passport), and evidence of nationality. If you do not receive an email confirming your submission within 4 hours, please email aolson@upenn.edu to ensure CURF has received your submission. Submission is due by 4:00 pm on August 1, 2023
- Following Penn’s internal deadline, candidate materials are reviewed by the University of Pennsylvania’s Faculty Review Committee, which comprises Penn faculty who have been awarded prestigious scholarships and are actively engaged in promoting Penn’s academic mission. The Committee will select candidates to interview for consideration for the Penn endorsement.
- Candidates selected for endorsement for the Rhodes Scholarship will receive further instructions.
Two thousand twenty-three applicants who wish to commence graduate study in Fall 2024 should enroll in the CURF Fellowship Resources canvas site, complete Penn’s Spring Consultations form, and schedule an appointment with Dr. Wallace Genser. Applicants are encouraged to complete these steps as soon as possible, ideally no later than January 30, 2023.
Application Deadline
The deadline for online submission of the application and supporting documents is August 1, 2023.
