Application and Process

Applications for the Scholarships must be filed online through the website for the Rhodes Trust. Candidates who are awarded with an official university endorsement letter will be provided with an authorization code to upload their documents to the online Rhodes Scholarship application process. The deadline for receipt of completed applications is Friday, September 27, 2019. Late submissions will not be considered. As part of the pre-application process, applicants must provide personal contact details and all of the following documents and information to the Office of the Vice Provost, Students by emailing vpstudents@yorku.ca.

Application Documents

  1. A full curriculum vitae (CV) which should include details about academic qualitfications, prizes, scholarships, positions of leadership, employment positions, involvement in student, voluntary, community or political activities and any cultural, musical or sporting accomplishments. This should not exceed two A4 (12pt) pages in length. Please do not include a photograph in your CV.
  2. A factual list of principal activities and honours while in college or university (including scholarships, prizes, awards, offices held, athletic record and extra-curricular interests and activities) with dates.
  3. A statement of your general interests and activities, your proposed course of study at Oxford and your present intentions as to your future career. This statement should not exceed 1,000 words. Selection committees will place special emphasis on this statement and it will be sent to Oxford College to which successful candidates apply for admission. More information about the suggested contents of this statement can be found in the Information for Applicants available on the Rhodes Trust website.
  4. Six reference letters from six referees who will provide information regarding your qualifications. At least four of these referees must be academics who have taught you at the University and should comment upon your academic preparation and scholastic achievements. The remaining two referees should be people who know you well and can speak to your character and the broader non-academic interests. To submit your reference letters for your York Rhodes application, please have your referees submit directly to vpstudents@yorku.ca with your full-name and student number.
  5. If you are chosen as a Scholar-elect by the Trust, you will be required to submit other documentation as outlined in the Information for Applicants available on the Rhodes Trust website. It is important to review all these requirements prior to submitting your package to the Office of the Vice Provost, Students.

Once your application has been evaluated by York University's Rhodes Scholarship committee, a written statement from the President of York University endorsing your candidacy for the Scholarship will be provided to the successful candidates. The endorsement letter will be sent directly from the University to the Secretary of the Regional Selection Committee. All application materials for unsuccessful candidates will be destroyed after the selection process is complete. Documents will not be returned unless specifically requested by you, the applicant.

Application Tips:

  • The personal statement is the most important part of the application. It should paint a picture of you as a whole person, whose accomplishments, character and future plans reflect a maturity, sense of purpose and a concern for others. A good statement will give the committee a clear understanding of who you are, how your interests have developed and how and why study at Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar fits into your future plans.
  • Since applications must go forward with the endorsement of the President of the University, there is an internal screening process for prospective candidates.
  • It takes a good deal of work to put together a successful Rhodes application. You need to allow yourself enough time to work on your dossier and secure the necessary letters of recommendation once you have received the go-ahead from the Vice-Provost, Students after a review of your qualifications. The sooner you start, the better equipped you will be to prepare a successful application.
  • For writing support, visit our Writing Centre.