How to Get the Canadian Rhodes Scholarship
Knowing how to receive a scholarship will help you pay for your education, whether you’re getting ready to enroll or are continuing your degree program. Receiving scholarships is a fantastic way to pay for schooling while lowering debt. But how should one go about achieving this in such a hostile environment? Read along as we talk about the Canadian Rhodes Scholarship and how you can apply for one in 2022.
The Canadian Rhodes Scholarship
The Rhodes Scholarship is one of the world’s most renowned and oldest international scholarship programs (it was founded in 1903). The Rhodes Trust in Oxford, which oversees the program, grants 100 fully-funded Scholarships each year for postgraduate study at the prestigious University of Oxford in the United Kingdom. Oxford is one of the top institutions in the world. Young leaders with exceptional intellect and character who are determined to tackle global issues, dedicated to serving others, and who have the potential to develop into principled, value-driven leaders for the world’s future are eligible for Rhodes Scholarships.
The Rhodes Trust’s standards will be used to determine which applicants will be chosen as successful:
- academic prowess
- drive to fully use your abilities (as demonstrated by mastery in sports, music, debate, dance, theatre, and artistic pursuits, including where teamwork is involved).
- Truth, bravery, loyalty to duty, concern for the defense of the vulnerable, benevolence, selflessness, and camaraderie.
- The moral strength of character, leadership instincts, and a concern for other people.
- eligibility requirements
Other factors include;
- Citizenship or Nationality:
- You must be a Canadian national or permanent resident. This constituency will also consider applications from refugees and asylees residing in Canada.
- Age: As of October 1, 2022, you must fit one of the following categories:
- You must be at least 18 and under 24 years old (i.e., you must have been born after 1 October 1998 and on or before 1 October 2004). OR (for more senior candidates who completed their first undergraduate degree later than usual)
- You must not be older than 27 (born after October 1, 1995) and have completed or will complete the prerequisites for your first degree, which must have been conferred on or after October 1, 2021.
Academic Success:
- You must have already earned, or will have achieved by July 2023, an undergraduate degree (typically a Bachelor’s degree), with academic credentials and a grade that, at the very least, meet or exceed the specific entry requirements of the full-time course you have chosen at the University of Oxford.
- Candidates will have a better chance of being admitted to Oxford, given the extremely fierce worldwide competition for spots at the University of Oxford, if they:
- A GPA of 3.70 or better, a First Class Honours degree, or an equivalent qualification
If you need further information regarding the scholarship’s academic criteria, don’t hesitate to contact the National Secretary.
Suppose you are unsuccessful in your initial application for a Rhodes Scholarship. In that case, you may only try again once (and it must be for the same constituency), provided you still match the qualifying requirements.
Steps to Get the Canadian Rhodes Scholarship
Eligibility Criteria for the Canadian Rhodes Scholarship
- Must be a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident of Canada in terms of nationality or citizenship (students attending a Canadian university on a student visa are not eligible to apply).
- Must be enrolled in school and residing in Canada
- Age: As of October 1, 2022, you must fit one of the following categories:
- You must be at least 18 years old and under 24 years old (i.e., you must have been born after 1 October 1998 and on or before 1 October 2004)
- OR (for elderly candidates who took longer than typical to obtain their first undergraduate degree), you must not have turned 27. (i.e., have been born after 1 October 1995) AND your first undergraduate degree must have been issued on or after October 1, 2021, or it must do so soon.
- Academic accomplishment: You must already have completed, or will have completed by July 2023, an undergraduate degree (typically a Bachelor’s degree), with an academic background and grade that, at the very least, meet or exceed the specific entry requirements of your chosen full-time course at the University of Oxford.
- If they still fulfill all other qualifying rules, such as the age limit, students who have already earned a master’s degree or who will soon complete one are also eligible to apply for the Rhodes for a second master’s or doctorate.
- The Rhodes Scholarship covers the majority of degrees offered by Oxford University. There are a few exceptions, though. Check the Conditions for Tenure page to be sure the Scholarship will fund the degree you want to pursue (e.g., it must be a full-time degree).
Study the Guidelines for the Canadian Rhodes Scholarship
The information for candidates and referees sections of the official Rhodes website includes comprehensive details about the selection procedure for 2023.
Choose the Referees
The applicants must choose six referees to submit letters of reference. To be eligible for institutional endorsement, referees must send their letters to the Coordinator, Graduate Financial Aid, and Awards by 10:00 AM ET on August 5, 2022.
There are six reference letters needed:
Academics who have formally instructed and assessed the candidate for their undergraduate or graduate degree should make up at least three of the referees.
At least two referees must be able to speak favorably about the applicant’s moral integrity and participation in extracurricular, community service, or leadership endeavors. It is advised that candidates give the Rhodes Guidance for Referees to the people they have chosen.
Note: Waterloo will require references of applicants who get an institutional endorsement to resubmit their letters of recommendation through the Rhodes application site.
Send the GSPA Your Application Documents
The university must officially approve the Rhodes portal before the candidate may submit their application.
Applicants must send the following materials to the Coordinator, Graduate Financial Aid and Awards in Graduate Studies and Postdoctoral Affairs (GSPA):
- Include your full name and Waterloo ID in the email body.
- Complete curriculum vitae (CV), which should include academic accomplishments, awards, scholarships, leadership roles, employment positions, extracurricular activities, volunteer work, community service, or politics, and any awards or accolades in the arts, music, or sports. This should be no longer than two letter-size pages, with a minimum font size of 12. Send in a PDF.
- Limit your statement to 750 words. Refer to the 2023 Information for Candidates for a detailed explanation of the personal statement’s needed components (section 5.h.). Send in a word document.
- Three hundred fifty maximum words for the academic study statement. Refer to the 2023 Information for Candidates for a detailed explanation of the elements that must be included in the academic declaration of study (section 5.i.). Send in a word document.
- Six referees are listed: Indicate who your character referees are to separate the list; Include email addresses, employer information, and full names. Send in a word document.
- Transcripts are not required to be included with applications. Internally generated official transcripts will be used automatically for institutional endorsement assessment. If the candidate is chosen for institutional endorsement so they may submit their application through the Rhodes site. They will be given official transcripts.
If chosen to acquire institutional endorsement, additional documentation (color photo, copy of birth certificate, copy of passport) will be needed.
Institutional Support for the Canadian Rhodes Scholarship
If a candidate is competitive enough to merit institutional support, the institutional committee will invite them for an interview. All Waterloo candidates will be notified by email in the middle of August or at the start of September as to whether or not they have been chosen for an interview.
The application materials will be examined by the selection committee while taking into account the following selection criteria:
- academic prowess
- vigor to fully utilize one’s skills (as demonstrated by mastery in areas such as sports, music. Debate, dance, theatre, and artistic pursuits, including where teamwork is involved)
- Honesty, tenacity, commitment to duty, concern for and defense of the poor, benevolence, selflessness, and camaraderie
- The moral strength of character, leadership instincts, and a concern for other people
Those candidates chosen for institutional endorsement will receive an invitation to submit their application to the online portal by October 5, 2022, at 23:59 PT. GSPA will give a certified transcript to endorsed candidates. The recommended referees will again use the Rhodes application platform to submit their reference letters. The approved applicant(s) will have an institutional endorsement letter drafted in their favor, signed by the university president. And posted by GSPA to the Rhodes application portal.
Why Study in Canada?
Here are some of the many benefits of studying in Canada and why you need to do so.
#1 – Bilingualism
Canada is a multilingual country, so studying there is a great way to sharpen your language abilities and raise your chances of landing a promising career. The educational system of Canada, which enhances its culture and social life, includes the study of both French and English.
#2 – Take in the Rich Cultural Environment
A diverse population contributes to Canada’s lively and varied culture. Canada is a sizable nation. Its total land area dwarfs France by a factor of 14. It is home to various stunning scenery that may be experienced during Canada’s four seasons. Although many Canadians lament the country’s brutal winters. The cold weather presents a chance for ardent skiers and skaters to enjoy their sports in spectacular settings.
#3 – Take Part in World-Class Education
Diplomas from Canadian colleges and universities are recognized worldwide. The Canadian educational system encourages cross-disciplinary research and the growth of transferable skills (such as communication, teamwork, and critical thinking). It makes use of the most recent media and technology. According to Times Higher Education World University Ratings, five Canadian colleges were among the top 100 worldwide in 2018.
#4 – Possible Employment after Graduation
The government of Canada offers an employment program for students who have received a diploma. From a Canadian post-secondary institution and are interested in working. This is a wonderful chance to stay in Canada while developing and broadening your professional skills.
#5 – Ride Canada’s Tech-driven Wave
Canada has thriving telecommunications, digital media, biotech, and video game aeronautical engineering industries. In addition, Canada’s ground-breaking School Net initiative made it the first country to connect its libraries and schools to the Internet. More than 90% of Canadian households have Internet access not unexpected.
Conclusion
Several scholarships need an in-person or online interview. By practicing typical interview questions on your own or with a friend or family member, you may prepare for them. You’re more likely to make an impression if you’re well prepared. One of the most acceptable methods to get “free money” to pay for your education is through scholarships. There are undoubtedly scholarships out there that you will be qualified to apply for if you’re aggressive and well-organized. If you have any other questions about the Canadian Rhodes Scholarship, kindly drop them in the comment section below.