The Marshall, Mitchell and Rhodes Scholarship programs support graduate degree programs in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The University of Chicago formally nominate candidates for these three prestigious fellowships. You may not apply directly to these award programs. Therefore, all current College students and recent alum interested in pursuing a Marshall, Mitchell, and/or US/Canadian Rhodes must complete this university endorsement application process to move forward to the national committees. Alumni who are applying only to the Mitchell Scholarship are not required to participate in the campus process, but are strongly encouraged to do so.
About the Marshall, Mitchell, and Rhodes Scholarship Programs
Marshall Scholarships fund one or two to three years of study in any field, leading to the receipt of a UK university degree. The scholarship includes tuition, fees, travel expenses and a stipend. It may be used at any university in the United Kingdom at the graduate level. Please visit the Marshall Scholarship website to learn more about the program: https://www.marshallscholarship.org/. Awards approximately 40 scholarships to US citizens who are current undergraduates or recent graduates (please note age restrictions detailed on website).
George J. Mitchell Scholarships support one year of study at one of nine universities in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The award covers tuition and room charges, and provides a stipend plus an allowance for travel in Ireland, the United Kingdom and Europe. Please visit the Mitchell Scholarship website to learn more about the program: https://www.us-irelandalliance.org/mitchellscholarship. Awards approximately 15-20 scholarships to US citizens who are current undergraduates or recent graduates (please note age restrictions detailed on website).
Rhodes Scholarships fund two years of post-baccalaureate study in any field at the University of Oxford. The scholarship includes tuition, fees, travel, and a stipend. Thirty-two American Rhodes Scholars are chosen annually from the United States. Students from a range of countries besides the United States are also eligible to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship - please visit the Rhodes House site for an up-to-date list of eligible countries. Currently, citizens from the following countries are elgible for the Rhodes: Australia, Bermuda, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Jamaica & the Commonwealth Caribbean, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Southern Africa (including South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Swaziland), Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine (SJLP), United Arab Emirates, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Campus Endorsement Application Instructions:
Below are the questions that you will answer as a part of your campus application, along with a list of the additional items you will submit. Note that you only submit one application; you will be endorsed for any/all of the award programs you identify (Rhodes, Marshall, and/or Mitchell). A complete campus application requires the following:
[1] Complete online application: includes basic biographical and academic data, names and contact information of the 3 individuals submitting letters on your behalf, as well as 5 additional names of individuals writing for you. NB: the Marshall Scholarship requires a total of 3 letters; the Mitchell Scholarship requires a total of 4 letters; the US Rhodes Scholarship requests up to 8 letters of recommendation.
[2] Responses to the following questions (10): Please be as specific as possible, using examples from your own experience.
- Describe the problem or needs of society (domestic or global) you want to address once you have finished your formal graduate training (350 words max.).
- Why are you motivated to pursue further education and a career devoted to solving these problems and meeting these stated needs? How have you already started to connect your experiences as an undergraduate with your vision of the future? Please be specific (400 words max.).
- List the 3 most significant courses you have taken in preparation for your proposed graduate study and future career (250 words max.).
- Describe your current top-choice graduate program in the UK, Ireland or at Oxford. Please make a case for the academic program you have chosen. You should also briefly describe your research plans and current research skills as a demonstration of your preparedness for graduate study, as relevant (350 words max.).
- Please provide the cultural reasons for your decision to pursue graduate study in the United Kingdom or Ireland, discuss how you will benefit from immersing yourself in its culture, and share what you want to contribute to your host community and university. In addition to addressing your cultural preparedness to engage with host-country communities, describe your capacity to work across boundaries and borders and share your plans for building upon this academic experience to forge future relationships and partnerships (350 words max.).
- Describe one specific example of leadership (400 words max.). Candidates should describe a specific example in which they responded to a need for leadership․ The example must evidence the following characteristics: a) it delivered a real and concrete outcome, or evidence of demonstrable advancement; b) it showed strength of purpose and aligned with candidates broader academic and professional plan; c) the solution was innovative and showed creativity and problem solving; and, d) exhibits self-awareness - that candidate understands their own style of leadership and how to motivate others․ NB: not leadership - a project or role taken on in the context of a job or internship; teaching or TAing; accepting a student government position or "leading" an RSO, unless you can show the delivery of results and that you actually changed something.
- Describe a recent experience in which you demonstrated courage of conviction, turned challenge into opportunity, and/or stood up for something you believed in (350 words max.).
- What is your immediate post-scholarship plan (3-5 years after you complete your studies in the UK or Ireland; 150 words max.)?
- What is your longer term vision and how is that vision attached to the contribution you hope to make (10-15 years; 150 words max.)?
- Additional information (350 words max.): is there anything else you would like the nomination committee to know about you that is not reflected elsewhere in your application (other essays, motivation statement or CV)?
[4] A comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV) detailing honors, awards, research, leadership/service, and other co- and extra-curricular activities you have pursued since starting College. Do not include high-school experiences, GPA, or honors/awards. You can find our guidance on building an effective CV here: https://ccrf.uchicago.edu/national-fellowships/building-curriculum-vitae-cv
[5] Unofficial transcripts. Please do not upload screen shots.
[6] Three (3) letters of recommendation: your letters of recommendation will be requested and uploaded via the campus application portal. Two of your three letters should be academic-focused letters from teaching faculty and/or research mentors; if you are involved in significant co- or extra-curricular activities or post-graduate activities, including employment, a third letter focused on your leadership/service/professional life is acceptable. Your letters should be from individuals who know you well and can offer an in-depth view into your candidacy.
NB: Your academic letters should be obtained from faculty of any rank. They do not have to be tenured, but should know you in a teaching or research capacity. You should not request letters from graduate students, preceptors, post-docs, career or academic advisors. Your character/leadership/public service letters should come from individuals who know you well and can testify in specfic terms to your leadership and ambition for others.
2024 Marshall, Mitchell and Rhodes (MMR) Scholarships University Nomination Application
The Marshall, Mitchell and Rhodes Scholarship programs support graduate degree programs in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The University of Chicago formally nominate candidates for these three prestigious fellowships. You may not apply directly to these award programs. Therefore, all current College students and recent alum interested in pursuing a Marshall, Mitchell, and/or US/Canadian Rhodes must complete this university endorsement application process to move forward to the national committees. Alumni who are applying only to the Mitchell Scholarship are not required to participate in the campus process, but are strongly encouraged to do so.
About the Marshall, Mitchell, and Rhodes Scholarship Programs
Marshall Scholarships fund one or two to three years of study in any field, leading to the receipt of a UK university degree. The scholarship includes tuition, fees, travel expenses and a stipend. It may be used at any university in the United Kingdom at the graduate level. Please visit the Marshall Scholarship website to learn more about the program: https://www.marshallscholarship.org/. Awards approximately 40 scholarships to US citizens who are current undergraduates or recent graduates (please note age restrictions detailed on website).
George J. Mitchell Scholarships support one year of study at one of nine universities in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. The award covers tuition and room charges, and provides a stipend plus an allowance for travel in Ireland, the United Kingdom and Europe. Please visit the Mitchell Scholarship website to learn more about the program: https://www.us-irelandalliance.org/mitchellscholarship. Awards approximately 15-20 scholarships to US citizens who are current undergraduates or recent graduates (please note age restrictions detailed on website).
Rhodes Scholarships fund two years of post-baccalaureate study in any field at the University of Oxford. The scholarship includes tuition, fees, travel, and a stipend. Thirty-two American Rhodes Scholars are chosen annually from the United States. Students from a range of countries besides the United States are also eligible to apply for the Rhodes Scholarship - please visit the Rhodes House site for an up-to-date list of eligible countries. Currently, citizens from the following countries are elgible for the Rhodes: Australia, Bermuda, Canada, China, Germany, Hong Kong, India, Israel, Jamaica & the Commonwealth Caribbean, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Southern Africa (including South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Namibia, Swaziland), Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine (SJLP), United Arab Emirates, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe.
Campus Endorsement Application Instructions:
Below are the questions that you will answer as a part of your campus application, along with a list of the additional items you will submit. Note that you only submit one application; you will be endorsed for any/all of the award programs you identify (Rhodes, Marshall, and/or Mitchell). A complete campus application requires the following:
[1] Complete online application: includes basic biographical and academic data, names and contact information of the 3 individuals submitting letters on your behalf, as well as 5 additional names of individuals writing for you. NB: the Marshall Scholarship requires a total of 3 letters; the Mitchell Scholarship requires a total of 4 letters; the US Rhodes Scholarship requests up to 8 letters of recommendation.
[2] Responses to the following questions (10): Please be as specific as possible, using examples from your own experience.
- Describe the problem or needs of society (domestic or global) you want to address once you have finished your formal graduate training (350 words max.).
- Why are you motivated to pursue further education and a career devoted to solving these problems and meeting these stated needs? How have you already started to connect your experiences as an undergraduate with your vision of the future? Please be specific (400 words max.).
- List the 3 most significant courses you have taken in preparation for your proposed graduate study and future career (250 words max.).
- Describe your current top-choice graduate program in the UK, Ireland or at Oxford. Please make a case for the academic program you have chosen. You should also briefly describe your research plans and current research skills as a demonstration of your preparedness for graduate study, as relevant (350 words max.).
- Please provide the cultural reasons for your decision to pursue graduate study in the United Kingdom or Ireland, discuss how you will benefit from immersing yourself in its culture, and share what you want to contribute to your host community and university. In addition to addressing your cultural preparedness to engage with host-country communities, describe your capacity to work across boundaries and borders and share your plans for building upon this academic experience to forge future relationships and partnerships (350 words max.).
- Describe one specific example of leadership (400 words max.). Candidates should describe a specific example in which they responded to a need for leadership․ The example must evidence the following characteristics: a) it delivered a real and concrete outcome, or evidence of demonstrable advancement; b) it showed strength of purpose and aligned with candidates broader academic and professional plan; c) the solution was innovative and showed creativity and problem solving; and, d) exhibits self-awareness - that candidate understands their own style of leadership and how to motivate others․ NB: not leadership - a project or role taken on in the context of a job or internship; teaching or TAing; accepting a student government position or "leading" an RSO, unless you can show the delivery of results and that you actually changed something.
- Describe a recent experience in which you demonstrated courage of conviction, turned challenge into opportunity, and/or stood up for something you believed in (350 words max.).
- What is your immediate post-scholarship plan (3-5 years after you complete your studies in the UK or Ireland; 150 words max.)?
- What is your longer term vision and how is that vision attached to the contribution you hope to make (10-15 years; 150 words max.)?
- Additional information (350 words max.): is there anything else you would like the nomination committee to know about you that is not reflected elsewhere in your application (other essays, motivation statement or CV)?
[4] A comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV) detailing honors, awards, research, leadership/service, and other co- and extra-curricular activities you have pursued since starting College. Do not include high-school experiences, GPA, or honors/awards. You can find our guidance on building an effective CV here: https://ccrf.uchicago.edu/national-fellowships/building-curriculum-vitae-cv
[5] Unofficial transcripts. Please do not upload screen shots.
[6] Three (3) letters of recommendation: your letters of recommendation will be requested and uploaded via the campus application portal. Two of your three letters should be academic-focused letters from teaching faculty and/or research mentors; if you are involved in significant co- or extra-curricular activities or post-graduate activities, including employment, a third letter focused on your leadership/service/professional life is acceptable. Your letters should be from individuals who know you well and can offer an in-depth view into your candidacy.
NB: Your academic letters should be obtained from faculty of any rank. They do not have to be tenured, but should know you in a teaching or research capacity. You should not request letters from graduate students, preceptors, post-docs, career or academic advisors. Your character/leadership/public service letters should come from individuals who know you well and can testify in specfic terms to your leadership and ambition for others.