Overview:

The Rhodes Trust offers the “oldest and most celebrated” international postgraduate awards for students to study at the University of Oxford.  Rhodes Scholars are young leaders of outstanding character who are motivated to engage with global challenges, committed to the service of others, and show promise of becoming value-driven leaders for the world’s future.

The selection criteria include:

• Academic Excellence
• Energy to Use Your Talents to the Full
• Truth, Courage, Devotion to Duty
• Moral Force of Character

Eligibility:

• U.S. citizen or lawful resident for at least five years at time of application
• Senior or recent alumnus/a
• Between 18 and 23 years old on October 1st the year of application 
• 3.7 GPA or higher (3.8 or higher, highly recommended)

Application Process: 

• Penn State is required to nominate candidates, so students should follow this on-campus nomination process to be considered:

• Step 1: Email URFM@psu.edu your intent to apply.
• Step 2: Meet with URFM staff to go over the application process and scholarship details. Appointments can be made via Starfish or by contacting URFM.
• Step 3: Complete the Rhodes Application.  This can be obtained by emailing URFM@ psu.edu.  The application will include:
  • Essay prompts
  • A CV
  • A recent transcript
  • Proposed course of study at Oxford
  • 3 recommendations addressed to the UK Awards Nomination Committee must be emailed separately by the recommender to URFM@psu.edu.  Recommendations should include at least 1 academic recommendation and 1 character recommendation. You will also be required to include in your application the list of 2-5 additional recommenders that will be included in your final Rhodes application should you be nominated by Penn State. Information on appropriate recommenders can be found on the Rhodes website.
• Step 4: Successful applicants will be invited for an interview with the Penn State UK Awards Nomination Committee after the applicable office deadline.

Office Application Priority Deadline - April 21, 2025

It is strongly recommended that applicants complete their application by the priority deadline.  Applicants for this deadline will have the benefit of early notification of nomination status along with enhanced mentoring support over the summer to revise application materials for the national deadline.

Office Application Final Deadline-August 10, 2025

National Application Deadline – October 1, 2025

Application materials required by the Rhodes Trust must be submitted directly using the online application system.