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THE RHODES SCHOLARSHIP MEMORANDUM

For Election for 2000 only

(This Memorandum cancels all previous issues)

THE RHODES SCHOLARSHIP

Memorandum

Jamaica and Commonwealth Caribbean

  1. GENERAL REGULATIONS

The Rhodes Trustees have instituted three (3) Rhodes Scholarships tenable at the University of Oxford to be awarded to candidates from the Commonwealth Caribbean as follows:
  1. The Jamaica Rhodes Scholarships, available to candidates from Jamaica only.
  2. Two Commonwealth Caribbean Scholarships, available as follows:
    1. To all candidates, excluding Jamaicans;
    2. To all candidates, including Jamaicans.

 

After election, a successful candidate has still, however, to be found a place at an Oxford College. There is no guarantee of a place and the award of the scholarship is not confirmed by the Rhodes Trustees until the Scholar-Elect has been accepted for admission by the College. The Scholarship, once confirmed, may be held for three years, but appointments are made for two years in the first instance. The Rhodes Trust will not consider granting a third year unless it can be shown that a third year is eminently in the interest of the scholar's immediate studies and future career, nor unless work, conduct and general record have been satisfactory.

The Rhodes Trustees will pay all University and college fees, exclusive of board and lodging, direct to the college concerned. The Scholar will receive a personal allowance of no less that £14,000* every two years, which is expected to take care of board and lodging and other maintenance costs.

The Trust will assist the Scholar to meet such travel expenses as incurred to and from Oxford, provided a letter of explanation how travel is being arranged is addressed directly to the Warden of Rhodes House, Oxford for his consideration.

* (amount reviewed annually)

 

Formerly, only unmarried candidates prior to the end of a scholar's fist year of tenure, since June 1995, marriage could apply for Rhodes scholarships, and a scholarship was forfeited by marriage is no longer a bar to applying for, or holding, a Rhodes Scholarship. However, married candidates should bear in mind that the scholarship stipend is intended to support one person, and that the Trust takes no financial responsibility for the support of a scholar's spouse. Moreover, spouses who are not British citizens may find it difficult to obtain permission to undertake paid work in England.
  1. CONDITIONS OF ELIGIBILITY
  1. One of three alternatives applies:

    2. Either (i) The candidate must be a citizen of those countries that have gained independence (Antigua, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Trinidad & Tobago, Jamaica, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, St. Lucia, St. Vincent).

    Or (ii) The candidate must be a Commonwealth Dependent Territories citizen of Montserrat, St. Kitts-Nevis, Anguilla, Cayman Islands, British Virgin Islands.

    Or (iii) One of the candidate's parents must have been domiciled and resident in one or more of these territories for at least five years immediately preceding 1st January in the year of the candidature, or, in the event of both being dead, was domiciled and resident in one of these territories for at least five years prior to his or her death.

    The Candidate must:

  2. Have been educated in one or more of the above territories for a least five years between the ages of nine and twenty.
  3. Be of an age that he/she will have passed his or her Nineteenth birthday and not passed his or her Twenty-fifth birthday by 1st October, 2000.
  4. Have undertaken academic training sufficiently advanced to assure the completion of a Bachelor's Degree by 1st October, 2000.
  5. Candidates with dual citizenship may not apply in more than one of the countries of which they are citizens.

Where there is doubt, the Trustees reserve complete discretion to determine the eligibility or otherwise of the candidate.

  1. BASIS OF SELECTION

    2. Subject to confirmation by the Rhodes Trustees election for a Rhodes Scholarship will be made by the Committee of Selection.

    In considering applications, Committees of Selection will have regard to those qualities which Cecil Rhodes expressly listed in order to define the Scholar he desired.

    Proven intellectual and academic achievement of a high standard is the first quality required to show integrity of character, sympathy for and protection of the weak, the ability to lead, and the energy to use their talents to the full.

    Mr. Rhodes believed that the last of these qualities was the 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 which will enable Rhodes Scholars to make an effective contribution to the world around them. Such a contribution Mr. Rhodes clearly expected in expressing the hope that Rhodes Scholars would come to: "esteem the performance of public duties as (their) highest aim."

    Financial need does not give a special claim to a Rhodes Scholarship nor should the question of race or religion be a disqualification therefor.

    The Committee will summon to a personal interview such candidate it considers necessary to see. Save in the most exceptional circumstances, no candidate will be appointed without such an interview.

    In the absence of suitably qualified candidates no election will be made by the Committee.

    The interviews will take place in Jamaica, for the Jamaica Rhodes Scholarship; and, in Barbados for the two Commonwealth Caribbean Rhodes Scholarships. Candidates invited for interview residing outside of Barbados may apply to the Secretary for financial assistance to travel to and from Barbados.

  2. METHOD OF APPLICATION

A candidate is required to submit the following material:

  1. A birth certificate
  2. "O" level, "A" Level or CXC certifications or other Certified evidence of subjects studied and examinations passed (including the original certificate of having passed an examination which fulfils the Oxford admission requirements);
  3. In case of University degrees, an original of a transcript by the Registrar or Chief Administrative Officer should be submitted.
  4. A signed statement by the candidate (of approximately, 1,500 words in lenght) making a declaration of general interest and activities pursued, the course of study it is proposed to follow at Oxford, and the character of the work aimed at in later-life. (If the candidate has left school before applying for a Rhodes Scholarship, then it should be stated what occupation has been pursued).
  5. Reference to six persons, of which number, at least four can speak to the candidates vacant academic performance (named referee will be contacted directly by the selection committee, although the selection process may be assisted by candidates requesting refree to write directly to the Secretary even before being contacted);
  6. A medical certificate on the prescribed form supplied herewith;
  7. Two photographs, unmounted, approximately 12cm. X 10cm. Amateur snapshots will not be accepted.
  1. PROCEDURE AFTER ELECTION
    1. On receiving notice of provisional election the Scholar must write to the Warden, Rhodes House, Oxford stating in order the Colleges to which there is the greatest wish to obtain admission. The list should contain the names of two or more Colleges. A special form for this purpose will be supplied to the Scholar-elect by the Secretary of the Selection Committee, and it is important that it be forwarded without delay. The Warden's Telephone is OXFORD (0865 270902).
    2. The Scholar will begin residence at Oxford, in October 2000. Postponements cannot be sanctioned save in exceptional circumstances and with the express permission of the Rhodes Trustees.
    3. Subject to the consent of the College to which admittance has been gained, the Scholar may read for the Oxford B.A. in any of the Final Honour Schools. Alternatively, subject to the consent of the College and the relevant Faculty and provided the degree cause is at least two years, the Scholar, if qualified by previous training, may read for a higher degree such as M. Litt. B.C.L., B Phil. M.Sc., M. Phil., or D. Phil.
    4. All Final Honour Schools2* at Oxford lead to the B.A. degree. Candidates who have obtained a University degree, provided that they have pursued at the University in question a course of study extending over three years at least, are eligible for senior status at Oxford which exempts them from all preliminary and intermediate examinations, and makes it possible for them to take their Final Honor School, and B.A. degree in two years.
    5. Even though a scholar is permitted, by University rules, to take an Honor School in two years, a College may advise that a third year is academically advisable in the particular case, in such a case the Trustees will provide a third year of funding conditional on good work during the first two years.
    6. A medical student of any University may be admitted to Senior Status before a final degree has been taken, provided that the course has extended over at least three years and all examinations incidental thereto have been passed.
    7. Scholars are expected to be full time students during the tenure of the scholarship.
    8. Tenure of other awards in conjunction with a Rhodes Scholarship is not permitted without prior consultation with the Warden, Rhodes House.
    9. The first installment of the Scholarship will be paid at the beginning of the Scholar's first term at Oxford. No request for earlier payments will be considered.
    10. Information about Oxford Colleges and courses will be found in the Oxford University Prospectus and Graduate Prospectus. The Oxford University Examinations Degrees. A copy of the Examination Decrees will be issued to the Scholar-elect after election.
    11. Candidates should see to it that four out of his/her six referees write about his/her academic preparation, ability and attainments (as well as the other Rhodes Scholar virtues).
    12. Any candidate hoping to attempt clinical research at Oxford must have fulfilled all the necessary obligations - the Medical Council requires evidence of having fulfilled the necessary professional experience; that is before granting temporary registration the Council requires them to have completed overseas an approved internship of twelve months duration or equivalent appointments.
    13. Two samples of written work must be submitted by applicants wishing to read for any degree (B.A. or Advanced) in any Arts or Social Studies subject (i.e. in any subject except Psychology or a medical or scientific subject). The samples of written work should be related to the subject you hope to study. Candidates for graduate degrees in Philosophy must submit essays on philosophical subjects. They should be of approximately 2,000 words each and may be essays or part of a longer work. The samples should be in English and preferably typed.
    14. Copies of this memorandum and further information can be obtained from the Secretary Mr. Peter Goldson, P.O. Box 417, Kingston 6, Jamaica, W.I. or 21 East Street, Kingston, Jamaica, W.I. Tel: (876) 922-5960  or Fax: (876) 922-7575 who acts as Secretary to the Committee of Selection or from THE WARDEN, RHODES HOUSE, OXFORD OX13RG, ENGLAND Telegraphic address, "RHOTOTRUST, OXFORD." Tel: (0865) 270-902