The Rhodes Scholarship supports an international cohort of students for at least two years in a degree program at Oxford University. Thirty-two Rhodes Scholars come from the United States each year with other Rhodes scholars coming from countries around the world. US and Canadian Rhodes Scholarship applicants must be endorsed by Dartmouth College. Applicants to all other constituencies do not follow the endorsement process, but we encourage them to reach out for support. Other constituencies include: Australia, Bermuda, China, Commonwealth Caribbean, East Africa, Germany, Hong Kong, Israel, Jamaica, Kenya, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Southern Africa, Syria/Jordan/Lebanon/Palestine, UAE, West Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe. For those constituences that cover multiple countries, see the Rhodes site for a complete list of countries. As of April 2026, the Global Rhodes competition is suspended. Citizens of countries other than those listed here are ineligible for the Rhodes during the suspension.
The Rhodes Scholarship criteria, set forth in the will of Cecil Rhodes, include academic excellence as the first criteria. Beyond academic achievement, Rhodes Scholars are expected to have "great personal energy, ambition for impact, and an ability to work with others and to achieve one's goals. In addition, a Rhodes Scholar should be committed to make a strong difference for good in the world, be concerned for the welfare of others, and be conscious of inequities. And finally, a Rhodes Scholar should show great promise of leadership." The criteria can be summarized as "intellect, character, leadership, and commitment to service." (Quotes taken from the Rhodes Trust, 2015).
