Writing a Recommendation Letter for the Rhodes Scholarship

The Rhodes Scholarship is probably the best-known of the competitive and prestigious fellowships available to young Americans. Only 32 are awarded in the U.S. each year. Applicants supply letters from 5-8 recommenders, at least 4 of whom have taught the student at the undergraduate or graduate level. You must write a detailed, emphatic letter supporting the candidate. The best reference letters complement materials submitted by the applicant: a 1000 word personal essay including reasons for study at Oxford, a transcript, and a succinct list of college honors and activities. If you do not know the student well enough to write such a letter, or if you cannot write in strong support, please encourage him or her to seek another reference.

Applicants should provide copies of their draft personal essays and other application materials to each prospective recommender, and should discuss with each recommender their interests and objectives in seeking a Rhodes Scholarship.

Criteria for the Scholarship:

  • Proven intellectual and academic quality of the highest standard
  • Integrity of character, and interest in/respect for fellow beings
  • Ability to lead, and energy to use one’s talents fully.

As a writer, it is important you are able to attest to the character and intellect of the applicant, including academic, personal, extra-curricular and leadership achievements, keeping in mind the following:

  • Address only the criteria most relevant to your relationship with the student with emphasis given to evidence of intellect and character
  • Explain the significance of the student’s achievements, beyond “just the facts”
  • Present the student as a prospective leader, one whose influence will extend beyond the professional realm
  • Do not hesitate to mention areas in which there is potential for growth
  • Be detailed and concrete, tightly focused, and frank

Other considerations:

Public service is very important in the Rhodes selection. Concrete examples of altruism, activism, and service to others are beneficial. While participation in organized sports is no longer the measure of “the energy to use one’s talents to the full”, the selection committee does look for evidence that an applicant has the physical vigor and emotional resiliency to take on substantial leadership responsibilities as a citizen and a professional.

An ideal letter is both glowing and genuine, with concrete evidence to support the writer’s assertions about the applicant. A letter that mentions the student’s limitations and potential for growth, written in positive terms, is more useful than a letter presenting the student as perfect in every way. The Office of Honor Scholarships is available to answer any questions you may have about writing this letter.

These notes incorporate information from The Rhodes Scholarship Trust, and from Joe Schall, ‘Writing Recommendation Letters’ (Pennsylvania State University 1997), Paula Goldsmid of the Pomona College Graduate Fellowship Office and Lyn Fulton-John, Office of Honor Scholarships at Vanderbilt University.