The Rhodes Scholarships are often considered the oldest and most celebrated international fellowship awards in the world. Each year 32 young students from the United States are selected as Rhodes Scholars, through a decentralized process representing the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. territories. The Rhodes Scholarship fully funds 2-3 years of graduate study at Oxford University in almost any field.  Scholars pursue a second bachelor’s degree, a taught or research-based Master’s, or Doctoral degree. 

Candidates should explore courses of study at Oxford. Note that a “course” in the UK is what we would call a “graduate program” in the US. 

Institutional Nomination and Advising

The Rhodes Scholarship does not accept direct applications; students must be nominated by Temple University’s UK Scholarship Committee.  Students interested in applying to be among Temple University’s institutional nominees are encouraged to meet with Fellowships Advising and complete the Campus Application by the campus deadline.  If you are selected as a nominee, you will be given instructions on how to apply for the national scholarship.

Campus Application Deadline

June 1. (If you miss the deadline, please contact Barbara Gorka as soon possible to discuss your individual case) 

Campus Interviews

Early to mid-June 

Completed Scholarship Essays

Any time up until August 1. See the Campus Application for details.

National Deadline

Typically late September or early October 

Eligibility and Selection Criteria 

• Nationality/citizenship: You must be a citizen of the United States OR you must have been admitted to the United States as a lawful permanent resident, and must have maintained, and be expected to maintain, such legal status. If you have been granted deferred action under the government’s Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program AND your status is currently active, then you are also eligible to apply if you meet all other criteria below. 

  • Rhodes Scholarships are also available to students from other countries, although the deadlines and process may be different. Check eligibility based on citizenship here, and contact Fellowships Advising about the nomination process. 

• Age: Upon 1 October in the year in which you are applying, you must meet either of the below criteria: 

  • You must be at least 18 and have not reached your 24th birthday, OR

  • (for older candidates who completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual) You must have not reached your 27th birthday AND you have met or will meet the requirements for completion of your first degree on or after 1 October of the prior calendar year 

• Academic achievement: You must have a GPA of 3.70 or higher on a 4.00 scale, with no rounding. 

Furthermore, Rhodes Scholars are chosen not only for their outstanding scholarly achievements, but for their character, commitment to others and to the common good, and for their potential for leadership in whatever domains their careers may lead. Competitive candidates demonstrate broad academic excellence and a cumulative GPA of at least 3.70 (the average GPA of recipients is about a 3.9), as well as initiative and commitment to larger issues such as service, research, and engagement in efforts to improve the world and their communities both on and beyond their campus. Additionally, candidates should have a strong rationale for studying at Oxford and a solid understanding of the research they might conduct in a specific graduate program.