THE RHODES SCHOLARSHIP FOR INDIA 2017

Guidance for Referees

The following notes are intended to serve as a guide to referees who are requested to write a letter of
recommendation in support of any person applying to be considered for the award of a Rhodes Scholarship. The
Selection Committee will be grateful if you will provide a frank statement regarding this applicants
qualifications.
In making nominations, the Selection Committee will have regard to those qualities which Cecil Rhodes listed in
that section of his will in which he attempted to define the type of Scholar he was seeking; literary and
scholastic attainments; fondness of and success in outdoor sports, qualities of truth, courage, devotion to duty,
sympathy for and protection of the weak, kindliness, unselfishness and fellowship, exhibition of moral force of
character and instincts to lead and to take an interest in ones contemporaries.
Qualities of intellect, character and leadership are what the committee will be looking for in a candidate. A
Rhodes Scholar should not be one-sided or selfish. Intellectual ability must be founded upon sound character
and integrity of character upon sound intellect. Cecil Rhodes regarded leadership consisting of moral courage
and interest in ones fellow beings, as in the more aggressive qualities. It was his hope that a Rhodes Scholar
would come to esteem the performance of public duties as the highest aim. Continuing physical vigour to
enable a Scholar to make an effective contribution to society is as important as prowess in a particular sport.
It is not expected that you will be able to speak from first hand knowledge of the candidates qualifications
under all those heads. If you are primarily acquainted with the candidate through an academic relationship you
are requested to concentrate particularly on intellectual quality and potential (bearing in mind that these
references will be used in making application to the University of Oxford) although your assessment of the
other qualities will be very welcome to the Committee. If, on the other hand, you are better acquainted with
the candidate through non-academic interests, you are requested to concentrate on assessment of character in
the knowledge that the Committee is looking for persons who show promise of outstanding achievement in
later life.
Please do not hesitate to speak of the candidates limitations as well as their qualities. A critical appraisal will
add to, rather than detract from, the force of your letter, since the Committee naturally tends to be dubious of
recommendations which imply that a candidate has no limitations whatever.
Financial need gives no special claim to a Rhodes Scholarship. The Will lays down that no student shall be
qualified or disqualified for election to a Scholarship on account of race or religious opinion.
Student applications for the Scholarship are due online by 31 July. It will be especially helpful to the Committee
of Selection if your reference is received by 31 July 2016 (preferably) and by 20 August 2016 at the latest. The
Rhodes Trust prefers academic references to be submitted on institutional letterhead where possible.
Thank you for your assistance. The Committee of Selection for India deeply appreciate your rich insights in
helping us in our assessment of Candidates for the Scholarship.
The Secretary, The Rhodes Scholarships (India)
International Centre for Genetic Engineering & Biotechnology,
PO Box 10504. Aruna Asaf Ali Marg
New Delhi 110067, India

Phone : 91-11-26741260
Fax : 91-11-26742316

http://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/about/rhodes-countries/rhodes-india
For further information about the Rhodes Trust and the Rhodes Scholarships, please visit
www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk