Letters of Recommendation: Marshall & Rhodes
Approximately 32 Rhodes (for the US) and up to 50 Marshall Scholarships and are awarded each year for outstanding students to pursue graduate study in the UK (for the Rhodes, at Oxford specifically). These awards are searching for intellectually distinguished young Americans who will one day become leaders, opinion formers and decision makers in their own country. Applicants must demonstrate exceptional academic ability, mature character, potential to become a change agent, and the capacity to play an active part in the life of a UK university.
Rhodes Scholarship Selection Criteria
- Literary and scholastic attainments (academic excellence)
- Energy to use one's talents to the full (as demonstrated by mastery in areas such as sports, music, debate, dance, theatre, and artistic pursuits, particularly where teamwork is involved)
- Truth, courage, devotion to duty, sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship
- Moral force of character and instincts to lead, and to take an interest in one's fellow beings
Final Rhodes letters must not exceed two A4 pages (minimum 10 point type). Letters will be requested by email from the Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee, and should be on headed paper, signed, and uploaded in pdf format via an online reference form.
Marshall Scholarship Selection Criteria
- Academic Merit
- This covers the quality of the candidate's program of study, their knowledge of proposed courses and supervisors, their evidence of having a strong and relevant academic background, and the quality and breadth of their recommendations.
- Leadership Potential
- This addresses the candidate's ability to deliver results, their strength of purpose, their creativity, and their self-awareness.
- Ambassadorial Potential
- This includes the candidate's knowledge of US/UK relations, their evidence of transferable extracurricular activities, their interpersonal skills and ability to engage with others, and their self-confidence and ability to seize opportunities.
Final Marshall letters must be 1,000 words or fewer and will be submitted in an online form.
Advice
Address the Rhodes or Marshall criteria
Selection committees do not like letters that appear to be generic or “canned" letters written for graduate school applications with only the names of the applicant and institution changed. Letters should speak to the unique qualities envisioned in the scholarship.
Assess the proposed degree program
Corroborate the applicant’s own assessment of readiness to undertake the proposed course of study, and comment on the appropriateness of the proposed UK degree program. Students should provide you these details so the correct program may be reflected.
Confirm and validate
Applicants must show solid evidence of academic and research achievements, explain their career goals, and discuss plans to make a difference in the world. It is important for recommenders to comment on the seriousness of the student’s interests and career goals, to attest to the student’s research activities, and to assess the student’s potential to make a significant impact in their field and/or communities.
Make the case for excellence
Every student who advances in the competition is assumed to hold great promise. Explain why the student stands out above others, and why you have confidence in his/her personal and professional promise.
Be about the applicant
Selection committees don’t particularly care about an institution’s ranking or other bragging points. Nor do they want to spend time reading about your accomplishments or “how tough” your course is.” Your spotlight should be on the student.
Tell a good story
Vague superlatives (“They are bright, conscientious, hard-working…”) are of little value. The letter must bring the student to life with specific examples of his or her exemplary qualities. Interesting anecdotes show that you know the applicant well.
Compare
It is helpful to selection committees if you can favorably compare the applicant to other undergraduates—and graduate students—you have taught who have gone on to graduate programs and have been successful in their careers. How does the nominee stack up against these students at a comparable stage of educational development?
Be frank
Selection committees are skeptical of letters so effusive and unqualified in their praise that the applicant comes across as too good to be true. If there are areas where the applicant could stand improvement, say so. A year or two studying in the UK might prove beneficial in developing these challenge areas.
Assess character
Present your evaluation of the student’s character and what you know about the esteem in which others hold this student. Include detail about your personal connection with the student, and his or her contribution to this relationship.
Additional Advice from Professor of Religion Emeritus Ken Brashier here.
Information for referees (recommenders) from the Rhodes Trust (scroll down and choose "United States")
Information for Recommenders from the Marshall Commission
All final letters need to be submitted online. Students are responsible for registering you as their reference writer in their online application; once they do this you will receive instructions for how to submit your letter.
Questions? Please contact clbrfellowships@reed.edu