How to Become a Rhodes Scholar

By eHow Education Editor

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This is so hard to do that most people don't even know what a Rhodes scholarship is. In 1903, British tycoon Cecil Rhodes established a scholarship at Oxford University to be awarded in an international competition. The recipients have been some of the world's brightest, most motivated students, and many, including former U.S. Senator Bill Bradley and former President Bill Clinton, have gone on to prominence.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Challenging

Step1

Be between 18 and 24 years old, blisteringly smart and possessing excellent study habits. Complete your undergraduate degree by the time your Rhodes tenure would begin. The scholarship is theoretically available to students in all fields, but to continue your education at Oxford you must be in a course of study that the university offers (double check at www.ox.ac.uk).

Step2

Apply to the Rhodes Scholarship Trust (rhodesscholar.org). Your primary contact will be the Rhodes representative at your university, and this is your best source for application materials. Check with your academic adviser for the name of this person. Meet with him or her as early in your academic career as possible so that you can discuss the selection process.

Step3

Review the application. Keep in mind that recommendations from professors are more important than compelling answers to application questions. The selection committee is interested in assessing the impact you've made on your university and the people around you.

Step4

Develop effective and mutually beneficial relationships with your professors. You will need complete support from your department, your adviser and any professors you ask for recommendations. Scholarship winners are selected for leadership ability and character as much as for grades.

Tips & Warnings

Have a backup plan ready. There's no way to predict the selection odds even for the brightest students.
Stifle any ironic comments about Cecil Rhodes during the application process. Though Rhodes himself was involved in both diamond mining and politics in South Africa, occupations not normally associated with the values promoted by the scholarship, the Rhodes Scholarship Trust emphasizes integrity and service to humankind.