What is a Rhodes Scholar?
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A Rhodes Scholar is a winner of one of the approximately 90 Rhodes Scholarships awarded each year by the Rhodes foundation. Rhodes Scholar recipients study at Oxford University, in England, for one to two years. This study may be applied to the degree the Scholar may be working towards at another University, or it may serve to complete a degree. The Rhodes Scholar may also be seeking an advanced degree. In fact, many use their scholarship to pursue Master’s or Ph.D. programs at Oxford.
The Rhodes Trust was established in 1902, through the will of Cecil John Rhodes. Students eligible to apply to become a Rhodes Scholar were and still are supposed to have a fondness for sports, or success in sports, strong moral character, devotion to duty, interest in one’s fellow citizens and desire to lead. Initially the scholarship was awarded to students solely from the US, the UK, and Germany.
With the beginning of World War I, a German could not become a Rhodes Scholar. Ability for Germans to apply was not reinstated until after WWII. However, no German student became a Rhodes Scholar again until 1971. Today, citizens of countries that are free and democratic are eligible to submit applications for Rhodes Scholarships. Women, however, were not permitted to apply until 1977.
Different countries receive a yearly allocation for the number or Rhodes Scholarships. For example in the US, there are 32 scholarships available year. Canada has 11. Germany is only allowed two scholarships. Most smaller countries are only allowed one to two scholarships per year.
Being a Rhodes Scholar is quite an accomplishment and comes with extraordinary benefits. Not only is full tuition paid, but students also receive a generous stipend to live on, and may receive additional scholarships through Oxford. A number of quite famous people were once honored by being made a Rhodes Scholar.
Some well-known Rhode Scholars include:
- Robert Penn Warren — Former Poet Laureate of the US.
- Dean Rusk — Former US Secretary of State.
- Bill Clinton — Former President of the US.
- Kim Beazley — Deputy Prime Minister of Australia.
- George Stephanopoulos — director of communications for Clinton’s 1992 campaign, now political commentator.
Numerous other notables have had the distinction of being a Rhodes Scholar. In fact for most recipients, it is a matter of some significant pride, and usually implies great scholastic ability.
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9
In this five paragraph 'answer' I found nothing denoting the intent of the scholarship. - anon38109
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"Today, citizens of countries that are free and democratic are eligible to submit applications for Rhodes Scholarships." This is false. There are fixed quotas for certain countries.
As to "very generous" - it is very well possible to live comfortably with it in Oxford, but it is less than for example the research council scholarships. I'm a Rhodes Scholar, so I know. As to the supposed "acts of greatness" after the scholarship - not exactly sure. But what I know is that some of my dear fellow "Rhodies" are so damn' arrogant (either because they are Rhodes Scholars or because they have always been arrogant) that I prefer not having to do too much with them. - anon37542
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A Rhodes Scholar has everything paid including the transportation to Oxford, which is only one of the most influential institutions in the world. The stipend you live on is *very* generous, and well, you get it because after they select you, they expect for *all* of the scholars to go on to commit acts of greatness.It is my *dream* to be a Rhodes Scholar! - anon34942
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What's so special about studying at University of Oxford? What's important is graduates will become future great leaders who will lead countries to create a better world than the world at present, regardless of their alma mater. As I see it, many graduates from University of Oxford don't become effective leaders, instead screw up the administration of the government, i.e. UK. - anon34222
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there is much to say to catch you up to my views on cecil rhodes but i can not do so here. anywho this will be a short quote from David Icke's book "...and the truth shall set you free"(suggest you buy and read this book)Cecil Rhodes was a fabulously wealthy Englishman who exploited the continent and peoples of Africa, and particularly the diamond reserves of South Africa. The name Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe, is an indication of his influence in that part of the world. As a student at Oxford University, Rhodes was inspired by a fine arts professor called John Ruskin....The views of John Ruskin and his articulate promotion of them brought about a revolution in the thinking of the privileged undergraduates of Oxford and some at Cambridge, too. Rhodes copied Ruskin's inaugural lecture in longhand and kept it with him for the rest of his life. The creation of a world government centered on Britain became Rhodes's obsession and lay at the heart of almost everything he did. Rhodes is claimed to have been a member of an elite group known as the Committee of 300, aka the Olympians.... consisting of leading people in politics, commerce, banking, the media, the military etc, who are working toward the goal of total global power. (this group along with others are behind the Boer War...[S. Africa 1899-1902 tens of thousands of men, women, and children were killed]... in 1902 Rhodes died and bequeathed his funds to the cause. In his will, Rhodes also created a system of subsidized scholarships which continue to this day. This was, in part, a front to hide the secret society. Selected overseas student are brought to Oxford University to be taught the British view of life and to be sold the idea of a world government. It is remarkable how many 'Rhodes Scholars', as they are called, go on to become leaders of counties or heads of intelligence agencies, education, and other subject areas important to the Elite, or 'advisors' to those leaders.) signed -Cthroo seek the truth - anon21010
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Also not mentioned is Alain Locke, teacher, essayist, and impresario of the New Negro Movement AKA Harlem Renaissance.(watson, harlem renaissance). Locke is also the first black Rhodes Scholar and was a class of 1907 magna cum laude Harvard graduate! - prayze99
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You fail to mention South Africa, where Cecil John Rhodes lived and was buried. South Africa has had scholarships awarded each year since 1902. Furthermore, despite the fact that the greatest number of Scholarships are allocated to the United States, South Africa has always had the highest number of Scholarships per capita of the major constituencies. - anon17192
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Don't scholarship recipients not only get their tuition paid, but their living expenses covered as well? - malena
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