FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q: What is the deadline for applying for the Rhodes, Marshall, and Mitchell Scholarships?
A: In order to be considered for these scholarships, you must first be endorsed by the University of Michigan. In 2005, the Provost's Council on Student Honors modified the application process, instituting a phased approach. The current deadline for the preliminary application is the last Friday in March. Students who are selected to compete at the regional or national level then prepare formal application packets for the fall, including a 1,000-word personal statement due August 1. See “How the Process Works” for details.

Q: How are the scholarships listed on this website different from other scholarships offered at the U-M?
A: Applicants to these highly competitive scholarships must have the university’s endorsement.

Q: What kind of person are these scholarships looking for?
A: Successful applicants for Rhodes, Marshall, and Mitchell scholarships are as varied as the educational opportunities that these scholarships offer, yet there are some features that consistently characterize successful applicants. It is a given that the student will have achieved a high level of success in his or her academic field, but academic excellence is not enough. The selection committees are looking for dynamic, well-rounded individuals that want to make a difference in the world. The difference may be social and political, it might be through excellence in artistic performance or in scientific understanding, and the scale may be global or local. Successful applicants tend to be individuals that are socially aware and engaged, and who relish a life of intellectual challenge and physical vigor.

Q: Are these scholarships limited to particular academic fields?
A: No, students from any field of academic and artistic endeavor within the University are welcome to apply. It’s a good idea to check the websites for each scholarship program so you can determine the best fit for our field of study.

Q: What if I’m selected for a scholarship, but don’t have enough money to fly to and live in England?
A: All of these scholarships cover not only your tuition and university expenses in Britain or Ireland but also money for travel and living expenses. The specific funding varies between the three scholarships and the Provost’s Council on Student Honors can provide more details. Likewise, none of the scholarships are ‘need based’ so personal finances should not be an issue for any applicant.

Q: How should I prepare myself to apply? Will I be at a disadvantage if I’ve never visited Britain or Ireland?
A: You will be at no disadvantage in the application process if you have never traveled to Britain or Ireland. The selection committees do look at your proposed course of study and whether it makes sense given the university you would like to attend. You should therefore research the school(s) you propose to attend to ensure that they have programs that fit your educational plan. All major universities in Britain and Ireland have websites, which make a good starting point, and the Provost’s Council on Student Honors can also provide advice on some British universities and point you towards other U-M faculty that may have recent first hand experience with particular institutions of interest.

Q: What should I cover in my personal statement?
A: Your personal statement is read closely by the selection committees and provides you with your first opportunity to tell the committee who you are and how the scholarship fits into your larger life plans. The statement should not simply rehash information that is already in your application, but should rather provide the crucial details about your self and your ideas that are not conveyed in a mere list of class honors or course transcripts. The best statements tell the committee who you are, and where you want to go with your life, and what motivates you to make the journey. It should also indicate how your time in Britain or Ireland will further your goals.

Q: Who should write my letters of recommendation?
A: The best letter of recommendation is one written by someone who knows you and some aspect of your life or activities well and has the position to be able to put your achievements into a larger perspective. While testimonials from peers and roommates are nice, they rarely carry the weight that a letter from your major professor or a community leader will command. Since your interests and activities are multifaceted, it is also useful to seek letters from persons that reflect these different arenas, i.e., don’t only seek letters from professors in your major department, but include instructors in class outside your field, or community members or employers that can comment on these other aspects of your life.

Q: If I’m already receiving financial aid, am I still eligible for a Provost Council scholarship?
A: Yes. But you should check with the Student Financial Aid office for clarification before applying for a scholarship. Contact them by phone at 734-763-6600, by email at financial.aid@umich.edu, or visit their website.