UWO Rhodes Presentation

Brian Coulter

Why am I here?

• Describe my own experiences• Describe the Rhodes Scholarship• Overview the application process• Encourage people to apply

To be as helpful to you as I can be

Overview

• What is the Rhodes Scholarship?• What’s involved in the application?• What’s the timing?• How competitive is it?• Should you apply?

About me• At UWO

– Engineering & HBA (2009)

– Residence Don (2005-9)– SunStang Solar Car

• At Oxford– MPhil in Economics

(2011)– DPhil (PhD) student in

Economics

The Rhodes Scholarship

• Full scholarship for 1-3 years to Oxford• Includes tuition, fees, living stipend• Admission into extraordinary alumni

network• Among the world’s most prestigious

scholarships

Similar Scholarships

• Gates Scholarship (Cambridge)• Commonwealth Scholarships (UK)• Fulbright Scholarships (US)• Chevening Scholarships (UK)• Marshall Scholarships• Trudeau Scholarships (Canada)• Truman Scholarships• Rotary Scholarships

Why study at Oxford?

• History (800 years old)• Calibre of education (world-class university)• International focus (80% international grad

students)• Breadth of study:

– Biodiversity to Condensed Matter Physics to Global Governance to Philosophy to Law to MBA to English

• Proximity to Europe (and the ‘other’ London)

Rhodes Eligibility

• Must have completed degree by October 2014

• Must be Canadian citizen or permanent resident (Canadian application – other options available)

• Must be less than 25 in October 2014• Can apply either through province of

residence, or of study

Selection Criteria

• Literary & scholastic attainments• Energy to use one’s talents to the full• Truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy

for and protection of the weak, kindliness• Moral force of character and instincts to

lead

Application Process

• Applications open in June(ish)– www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk

• Online application due early October• Selected applicants interviewed early

December• Recipients announced same-day

Online Application

• Transcripts• CV• List of

accomplishments• Statement of Purpose

(900 words)

• SIX letters of reference

• Support from UWO

How competitive is it?

• Unfortunately, very– Approximately 50 applicants per spot– Significant self-selection before application

• For better or for worse, not something you can plan on winning

Should you apply? (1)

• The Rhodes is not for everyone– More schooling, at a time when many want to

move on– Long, arduous application process– Very tough competition– No guarantee of success

Should you apply? (2)

• However, if you’re willing to work, and want the opportunity, I recommend that everyone apply.

• If you’re not selected:– You lean a great deal about yourself– You meet some very interesting people along

the way.– Even the act of applying means something

• If you are selected…

Should you apply? (3)• World-class degree• 1-3years to pursue what you want• Friends from all over the world• Worldwide symbol of achievement

Next Steps

• Decide if you want to apply– Not just Rhodes, but others,

too?

• Decide on letters of reference

• Choose program of study• Start statement of purpose

Six months will go quickly

Conclusion

• Rhodes Scholarship is an incredible opportunity, but only if it’s right for you.

• If you decide that it is, I wholly encourage you to consider applying.

• UWO has lots of help available:– Financial Services– SGPS– Professors, mentors, deans, etc.– Past applicants/winners (myself?)