THE APPLICATION TIMELINE

RHODES, MARSHALL, AND MITCHELL SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATION TIMETABLE

January–March: information-gathering

Attend an information session in late January or early February. Review the application information, forms, and sample essays on this website.
Research the scholarships and courses of study and degree programs at Oxford and other British and Irish universities. Information is available online in the For Students section of this website and through the official Rhodes, Marshall, and Mitchell websites.
Spend some time looking through the Oxford University website and other universities for departments or labs that you think would be a good fit with your research plan.
Contact as many people as possible who might be able to advise you about studying in England, Scotland, and Ireland. Some of these people may eventually write letters of reference for you, but the first step is to learn what they know about ongoing research or interesting work being done in your academic field in the British Isles. Previous applicants report that these conversations can lead to remarkable discoveries that are pivotal to their future plans. Visit your academic adviser if he or she is close to you and talk about your interest in these scholarships. Visit professors during office hours or by appointment to ask them for their insights. Don’t be hesitant to ask advice from faculty members you do not know well if you have reason to believe they would know something about the program you are interested in. They may be able to provide helpful suggestions or contacts.
You will eventually need 5 to 8 letters of reference (depending on the scholarship for which you are endorsed). You cannot overestimate the importance of recommendations, so give this portion of your application the attention it deserves. Click here for tips on selecting recommenders.
Recommendations can come from sports coaches, youth group leaders, employers, clergy, or any other person of standing who has worked with or supervised you in some capacity, but the majority of your references should be faculty members who can speak to your talents in the classroom or laboratory. You will want to give your recommenders at least two months notice, time enough for them to become familiar with your plans, offer advice, and find a convenient time to compose the recommendation. Click here for tips for writing recommendations that you can share with your recommenders. The Provost will write an official endorsement letter in addition to the recommendations you request.
Optional: Contact Assistant Vice Provost Gretchen Weir to let her know that you are interested in applying. Gretchen works closely with the Provost’s Council on Student Honors (PCSH) and will, in the later stage of your application, help you to finalize it, and check for completion.

April: submit first draft for feedback

If you decide that you want to apply for the Rhodes, Marshall, or Mitchell Scholarship, you must first apply for endorsement from the University of Michigan. Although the official endorsement deadline is the last Monday in August, applicants are strongly encouraged to begin the application process in April in order to take advantage of mentoring from the Provost’s Council on Student Honors.
Begin work on your essay(s). For all three scholarships, the main part of your written application is a 1,000-word personal statement. The Rhodes, Marshall, and Mitchell Scholarships are each structured differently, so familiarize yourself with their requirements. Information can be found on the individual Rhodes, Marshall, and Mitchell websites.
For the Rhodes, begin work on your resume (required). Rather than using a resume, you will enter your activities/accomplishments online for the other two scholarships. Gather necessary names, titles, and dates.
Optional: Submit your essay(s), unofficial transcript, and resume to Gretchen Weir starting the first week in April. She will provide feedback and, when appropriate, include the PCSH in the mentoring process over the summer.

May-August: preparing for the endorsement interview

Integrate critical feedback into your essay(s). Stay in touch with Gretchen and your PCSH faculty reviewer. You may find that you need to revise your essay substantially. The PCSH will offer support throughout the summer as you work on your application.
Continue discussions with faculty members (and others who will be writing on your behalf). Remind them that you will need their letters by the internal application deadline (last Monday in August). Click here for tips for writing recommendations that you can share with your recommenders. If you are endorsed by the University, they will need to send endorsement letters directly to the Rhodes secretariat or submit them online for the Marshall and Mitchell Scholarships in early October.
You may submit unofficial transcripts for the University of Michigan-level endorsement process, but note that if you are endorsed, you will need to send official transcripts with your final application.
Ask friends, family and other trusted individuals to look at your essay(s) and give feedback.

Last Monday in August: CAMPUS APPLICATION DEADLINE (12 noon)

Late applications will not be accepted.
E-mail your application materials to the Provost’s Council for Student Honors in care of Assistant Vice Provost Gretchen Weir. You will need to submit:
- For the Rhodes: the 1,000-word personal statement, a detailed resume or list of activities and awards, unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended, and between five (5) and eight (8) letters of reference. Ask your referees to e-mail their letters directly to Gretchen Weir.
- For the Marshall: Essays (personal statement, proposed academic program, and choosing the U.K.) formatted according to the official Marshall application, unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended, and four (4) letters of reference. Ask your referees to e-mail their letters directly to Gretchen Weir.
- For the Mitchell: Essays formatted according to the official Mitchell application, unofficial transcripts from all colleges attended, and four (4) letters of reference. Ask your referees to e-mail their letters directly to Gretchen Weir.

Last Week of August/Early September: Internal review

PCSH members review applications.
Invitations to internal interviews (to determine endorsement) will be issued by end of day on second Monday in September.

Mid-September: Endorsement interviews

The Provost’s Council for Student Honors will conduct campus interviews of selected students to determine who will receive the University of Michigan's endorsement.
Endorsed candidates will be notified by e-mail. Assistant Vice Provost Gretchen Weir (763-8123) will coordinate submission of final applications before the national deadlines.

Late September

Endorsed candidates must finalize their applications, essays, and resumes and work with their recommenders to ensure materials are submitted by the national deadlines.
Rhodes referees should send the signed copy of the official cover sheet and one original recommendation letter with 9 photocopies directly to the Rhodes secretariat at least five (5) days before the postmark deadline.
Marshall and Mitchell recommenders should submit their letters online (a recommendation that is even one word longer than the limit of 1,000 words will not be accepted by the system). If they have trouble using the online system, they can contact Gretchen Weir, who will submit their recommendation for them.
Candidates should arrange for the Office of the Registrar to send one set of official transcripts from each college or university you have attended directly to the Mitchell and Marshall reviewers. One original and 9 copies (or 10 originals) can be sent directly or included in the application packet you send to the Rhodes secretariat.
The Rhodes application also requires 10 signed passport photos and proof of citizenship.

Early October: NATIONAL DEADLINES for the scholarships.

Exact deadlines vary by scholarship. Final applications, letters of recommendation, and endorsements must be submitted by the deadline. Plan ahead and avoid undue stress!

Late October/ Early November

The Rhodes, Marshall, and Mitchell selection committees evaluate applications and conduct interviews at regional (Rhodes and Marshall) or national (Mitchell) centers. U-M stages “mock interviews” to help prepare U-M students selected to compete at this level. The scholarship organizations announce their new scholars in November.