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Historic Preservation Home > Jobs in Preservation > Grants/Scholarships > British Scholarships--Rhodes, Marshall, Churchill, and Mitchell, posted 9/12/08

 

Dear Mary Washington Students and Faculty:

I am the UMW institutional representative for the following graduate scholarships at universities in the British Isles — Rhodes, Marshall, Churchill and Mitchell. All four are extraordinarily prestigious scholarships, but they are also extremely competitive. According to empirical evidence, however, the only certainty of not being awarded a scholarship is associated with not applying. For someone fortunate enough to be selected for one of these scholarships, the rewards could be immense. Even the experience of going through the process would be rewarding. One of our candidates last year who was an applicant for the Rhodes and Marshall failed to garner either of these, but went on to win a Fulbright Scholarship instead. Prospective candidates among UMW students graduating in 2009 should start putting together ideas during the summer; and those graduating in 2010 might also begin some preliminary research on these scholarships.

I would urge students who have had unusually successful undergraduate careers to think seriously about applying. I would also urge faculty members to advise their most promising students to consider applying (or at the least, in contacting me for more information). The University of Mary Washington frequently produces a number of graduating seniors each year who would make unusually good candidates.

For the 2009-2010 academic year, deadlines for applications vary from early October (for the Rhodes and Marshall) to early November (for the Churchill). Presented below are short histories behind their establishment, a summary of criteria, deadlines for applications, and links in cyberspace (information is available online for all four scholarships). When candidates are identified by early September — either by contacting me, or by having faculty recommend them to me — I will be very happy to advise and guide them through the application process.

Sincerely,
Bulent Atalay Professor of Physics
batalay@umw.edu
(540) 654-1429 (Office)
(540 898-0355 (Home)

*THE RHODES SCHOLARSHIP*
The Rhodes Scholarship (founded in 1902 by Cecil B. Rhodes) pays for 2-3 years of study, but only at Oxford University. It rewards academic success, leadership and athletic prowess, although the third of these criteria has been diminishing in importance over the past decades (Bill Clinton was a Rhodes Scholar).

32 scholarships awarded annually — covering two years of study (in some instances extended for three years). *Deadline yet to be announced, most likely around Oct. 1, 2008.*
http://www.rhodesscholar.org/application.html
http://www.rhodesscholar.org/

*THE MARSHALL SCHOLARSHIP:*
The Marshall Scholarship, created by an act of the British Parliament in 1958, pays for two years of study, almost always toward a graduate degree (and on rare occasions toward undergraduate work. The Marshall Scholarship pays for study at one of a number of select institutions in the United Kingdom, including the Universities of Oxford, Cambridge, Manchester all in England, Edinburgh in Scotland and Trinity in Dublin. Selection is based mostly on academic achievement and partly on community service during the applicant's undergraduate tenure. *Marshall Scholarship applications are due by Oct. 2, 2008.*
http://www.marshallscholarship.org/applications/
http://www.marshallscholarship.org/

THE MITCHELL SCHOLARSHIP:
The most recently created of the three, the Mitchell Scholarship (1998), pays for one year of study at a university either in the Republic of Ireland or in Northern Ireland. Application Deadline, October 6, 2008
http://www.us-irelandalliance.org/mitchellscholarships/

*THE CHURCHILL SCHOLARSHIP:*
The criteria for the selection of Churchill Scholars include the following: Exceptional academic achievement in all disciplines, but especially in the major, as indicated by course grades (previous Scholars have had a grade point average of at least 3.7). A capacity to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the sciences, engineering, or mathematics by pursuing original, creative work at an advanced level as demonstrated by awards and prizes and by letters of reference. Applicants in the sciences and engineering will show extensive laboratory experience, internships, or other related work, while applicants in mathematics will show substantial independent work or other projects. The Winston Churchill Foundation currently awards 12 (with plans to increase to 15) post graduate studies at Cambridge University. *Application Deadline:
November 12, 2008.*
http://www.winstonchurchillfoundation.org/Scholarships.html


*Finally, as guidelines I would like to offer the following
information distilled from a number sources for the Rhodes Scholarship:*
*A Rhodes scholarship offers the opportunity to study at Oxford University for two years, with all tuition fees paid and a living allowance provided. American Rhodes Scholars are selected from all over the nation to pursue a course of study of their own choosing at Oxford; students may work
toward a master's degree or a second bachelor's degree.*
*In considering applications, Selection Committees will emphasize those qualities that Cecil Rhodes expressly listed in order to define the type of Scholar he desired. Proven intellectual and academic achievement of a high standard is the first quality required of applicants, but they will
also berequired to show integrity of character, interest in and respect for their fellow beings, the ability to lead, and the energy to use their talents to the full.*
*Cecil J. Rhodes, who endowed these scholarships, believed that the last of these qualities was best tested through participation and success in sports. Participation in varsity sports is not essential if applicants are able to demonstrate in other ways the physical vigor that will enable Rhodes Scholars to make an effective contribution to the world around them.*
The Rhodes Scholarship maintains an extensive website.<http://www.rhodesscholar.org/>

*2009 Rhodes Scholarship Competition*

To qualify for 2009 awards, candidates should:
● Be a citizen of the United States.
● Over 18 years old but not yet 24 at the deadline date for application.
● Plan to graduate with a bachelor's degree by October 1, 2009.
● Apply either as a student from the state where you were a legal resident on deadline date in 2008, or from a state where you have spent a minimum of two years of college training *and *received your bachelor's degree. Financial need gives no special claim to a Rhodes scholarship.
● Minimum 3.7 GPA.
● Receive the nomination of the University of Mary Washington.