a. A selection committee will make no nomination if it is of the opinion that there is no sufficiently qualified candidate.
b. Travel expenses (2nd class return rail fare) for candidates invited for the final interview will be paid by the Rhodes Trust. International travel will not be reimbursed.
c. Candidates for interview must bring with them original certificates and documents submitted online.
d. Candidates who do not receive further communication by 1 December 2015 should assume that their application has been unsuccessful.
e. Selection panels recommend, the National Secretary endorses, and the Warden of Rhodes House approves the nomination of a scholar elect. Where there is doubt,the Trustees reserve complete discretion to determine the eligibility or otherwise of the candidate.
The Rhodes Trust and Oxford University require that selection for a Scholarship and for admission to the University will be without regard to marital status, race, ethnic origin,colour, sex and gender, religion, sexual orientation, social background, disability, caste orother irrelevant distinction.
Financial need gives no special claim to a Rhodes Scholarship. Married candidates should note that the Scholarship stipend is sufficient for one person and no financial provision is made for spouses or dependents.
4. Information to be submitted with application The following documents are required for submission and must be uploaded with your application. All documents must be in English or English translations must be provided. Please note that whilst candidates applying online may upload electronic documents, those candidates invited for interview will be required to submit original documents.
a. Evidence of Indian citizenship, and of age: A copy of the information pages of the applicant’s passport (or other proof of Indian citizenship and age).
b. Transcript/Evidence of academic record: Evidence of courses taken and degrees, honours and other academic distinctions obtained. This evidence must be formally certified by the Registrar or any other responsible officer of the candidate’s school (or school board) and University. Please note, if you are invited to interview you will need to bring originals with you. These originals will not be returned. Where the applicant is neither a graduate of a university in India nor in the final year of undergraduate study at a university in India, evidence will be required of the applicant otherwise meeting the eligibility criteria specified at 2b above (proof of formal study at an educational institution in India for at least 4 of the last 10 years (as of the date of application) and completion of a school leaving exam (10th or
12th standard) at a school in India.
c. CV/resume: Curriculum vitae, showing details of what you have achieved: any employment or enterprise you have undertaken during your studies or thereafter; your high school career; your college or university career; your involvement in student or community affairs, cultural, sporting or political activities; your leadership roles; and any other significant achievements or involvements. This should not exceed two pages of 12-point Times font and should not include supporting documents.
d. Personal Statement/Essay: Your personal statement is a very important part of your application. It is very important for you to have considered what course and degree you wish to follow at Oxford before you submit your application. It is a good idea to discuss your proposed course of study with your professors or lecturers in that field, and, if possible, with someone who has knowledge of United Kingdom universities. You should study carefully the Oxford University Graduate Studies pages online at http://www.ox.ac.uk/admissions, as well as departmental websites.
(i) The statement should be no more than 1,000 words and should include,
(ii) Details of your proposed course of study at Oxford, and your ability to meet its entry requirements;
(iii) Your general interests, activities, and future aims;
(iv) The statement must be in simple and direct English;
(v) Take time to write this essay carefully. It is your opportunity to tell us not just what you have achieved and hope to achieve, but who you are. For further details please see the short video here: http://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/apply.
The essay will assist the Selection Committee in determining who to invite for interview.
Please note that the application form will ask you to attest that the personal statement is entirely your own work, wholly truthful and has not been edited or coached by others.
e. Photograph: A photograph of yourself. This must be a head and shoulder colour photograph of good quality and a standard size of 15cm x 10cm (6” × 4”). It will not be visible to selectors until after candidates have been shortlisted for final interview.
f. References: The names and contact details of six people (your referees) who are well acquainted with you:
(i) At least three of your referees should be academics who have taught you in your undergraduate (or graduate) studies, who can comment on your academic ability and how well they think you would fare at Oxford. These references will be used to support your application to the University of Oxford, should you be selected for the Scholarship.
(ii) Choose reliable people who are likely to respond to requests for written reports as their reports will be crucial to your application. Ask their permission before listing them as referees.
(iii) Other referees can include teachers and other persons who are able to comment critically on whether you fulfil the requirements Rhodes set out in his Will. A good referee is one who knows you well, rather than a well-known
person who only knows you superficially. Do not choose close contemporaries or personal friends to be referees.
(iv) Typically, the referees for candidates who have been shortlisted for preliminary interviews will be contacted directly by the National Secretary ahead of the interviews. Candidates should note that it remains the candidate’s
responsibility to ensure his/her referees submit their references by the deadline provided to the referees. If you have been notifies of your short listing for a preliminary interview, please remain in contact with your referees to ensure they submit their references in a timely manner.
g. It is neither necessary nor desirable to include certificates or testimonials other than those required.
5. Procedure after Selection
a. Please note that successful applicants will need to apply to the University of Oxford very soon after selection. Full details will be given upon selection.
b. The full application of successful candidates will be forwarded to Rhodes House, Oxford, where the Scholarship references will be used as appropriate in support of the candidate’s subsequent application to Oxford.
c. Applicants for a second undergraduate degree with senior status will need to submit a paper application, provided on selection, which must reach Oxford by Friday, 27 November 2015. Candidates must therefore make a quick submission immediately following election.
d. Successful candidates will be encouraged to disclose, in confidence, any medical condition or special needs which may require academic or personal support in Oxford. This disclosure is entirely voluntary and is requested only to enable Rhodes House to provide suitable support in Oxford and to make the transition to Oxford as smooth as possible.
e. The Rhodes scholarship is confirmed only upon successful admission to the University of Oxford.
