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Q. Who can apply for the Rhodes Scholarships from India?
- The candidate should be an Indian citizen and should have at least a first class graduate degree from an Indian university/ institution. Only in exceptional cases, those studying in the final year of Bachelor’s degree may also apply.
- The candidate should have course of study to pursue at Oxford University.
Q. Can Indian Students studying abroad (USA etc.) apply for the Indian Rhodes Scholarships?
Yes, BUT they should have at least one undergraduate or graduate degree (BA, B.Sc, B.Tech, all master’s degree) from an Indian University.
Q. What needs to be supplied along with application form?
- A recent passport size photograph.
- Evidence of age
- Copies of the transcripts of the university degree.
- List of six referees and their address.
- Do not send copies of the certificates received for participation at school or college level competitions. These can be brought at the time of preliminary interviews.
- Do not send any medical certificate(s) at the time of application; these will be needed only after the short listing is done.
Q. How is the selection done in India?
After all the applications are received, a short listing is done by the Secretary with assistance of ex- Rhodes Scholars. Following this, preliminary round (1st round) interviews are conducted by regional committees in four different locations: Bombay (Pune), Bangalore (Chennai , Hyderabad), Kolkata (Eastern region) and Delhi (all other). Secretary of the scholarship in India is present in all the regional interviews. The
preliminary interviews actually take place between 15th August to end of September each year. Those short listed candidates for the 1st round interviews receives information at least two weeks in advance, usually at the centre of their choice. Those not listed do not receive any information. If you have not heard from the secretary by end September, it usually will mean that your application has not been successful.
Q. What does the Rhodes scholarship cover?
The scholarship covers full tution (college and university), airport to oxford and a generous maintenance stipend. Rhodes scholars are encouraged to stay for at least two years at oxford. Those doing one year’s Master’s degree are allowed to take up two such courses, if they like.
Q. Are there any special requirements for certain courses of studies like Medicine, Economics, etc?
Yes, for example, for medical graduates it is advised to get in touch with the medical faculty (graduate studies) to find out what is available at oxford, and if any restrictions are applicable; in particular in clinical medicine based projects. For those applying for gradate studies in economics, it is absolutely essential to have taken GRE; without GRE scores the applications will not be processed by the relevant faculty.
Application Form.
The most important part of the application is the “Essay” which is the backbone of your application. Often it is filled with glorious accounts of how much and how well the candidate is done at school level. That is unnecessary. The Essay should clearly bring out your strengths, but also must include “why you wish to study at oxford, the course / degree of your choice”. How is it relevant for your short term/ long-term goals? And the
kind of work you would like to do later on in life. Remember this Essay is also the basis for admission to the course of your choice and is read by admission faculties of different departments at Oxford. You should therefore make sure that there is sufficient academic content in your essay. Many times one sees essays full of minor details of extracurricular activities and too little academic stuff. No point writing great details of all
competitions / medals that you may have won at athletic or swimming. However, you must be able to describe your major extracurricular interests in the essay. At its core, the Rhodes scholarship is an academic scholarship and a Rhodes Scholar is expected to excel in his course of study. However, at the same time, he/she is expected to participate and excel in other activities at the universities; a Rhodes Scholar is not
merely a bookworm. Thus, balance your essay properly.
Q. How can one prepare for the interview(s)? What does the committee look for in an application for the award of a Rhodes scholarship?
The first round of interviews are meant to asses academic excellence and are therefore more related to what studies you have done and what course of study you would like to take up at Oxford.
The final interviews tend to be more general in nature. There is no advice really how to “prepare” for the interview. Make sure that your essay receives full attention from you; overstating or exaggerating does not usually help.
Q. What courses of study are available/ suitable for fresh graduates of Indian Universities?
In principle, after an honours degree in India a candidate can apply directly for a Master’s course; there are several new one-year Master’s course. However, those who wish to pursue academic careers usually opted for a second BA with senior status (2 yrs course) or PPE etc.
Q. Can the Rhodes Scholarships be held at another institution in the U.K. or elsewhere?
No, Rhodes Scholarships can only be taken at Oxford University.
Q. What is the age limit for the scholarships abroad?
The candidates must be below 25 years of age on the first of October in the year of scholarships.
Q. How can one collect the application form?
Application forms can be downloaded from our website (www.rhodesscholarships-india. com) or can be obtained by writing to the Secretary, Rhodes Scholarships,
International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, Aruna Asaf Ali Marg, New Delhi -110067 along with a Rs. 10/- stamped self addressed envelope.
Q. What is the last date of collection and submission of application forms?
The last date of collection and submission of application forms is July 31st, 2010.
Q. Are only typed application forms to be submitted or they can be handwritten also. Can one apply online also?
The application form should be preferably typed; also, you can apply by online applications.
Q. Can the interviews be held by telephone or through videoconference, in case the candidates are not in station?
The short-listed candidates are required to attend the personal interviews. There are no provisions for interviews through telephone or videoconference. If the short-listed candidate is not able to attend the interview, his/her case may be considered in absentia, in exceptional cases.
Q. Are the candidates given travel fare and accommodation for the Scholarship Interviews?
Yes, traveling expenses (2nd class return rail fare) of candidates invited for the final interview will be paid by the Rhodes Trust; candidates have to arrange on their own accommodation.
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