2024 Marshall, Mitchell and Rhodes Campus Endorsement Process

The Marshall, Mitchell, and Rhodes Scholarships require all current College students and recent alum to secure institutional endorsement to apply at the national level. Institutional endorsement is based on participation in the campus application process detailed below, developing a competive campus application, and participating in a faculty interview. Students cannot apply directly to these awards programs. 

The UChicago Marshall, Mitchell and Rhodes Campus Endorsement Application and Campus Nominee Process:

  • Provides the opportunity for candidates to reflect on how their academic preparation, leadership, public service, vocational interests, and future goals connect with the mission(s) of the Marshall, Mitchell and/or Rhodes Scholarships;
  • Helps students articulate their best case for these highly selective fellowships in their campus endorsement application materials;
  • Simplifies the campus endorsement application process by providing a structured timeline, clear applicant requirements and deadlines, and defined expectations about staff support;
  • Facilitates substantive application support to ensure candidates are capable of developing the strongest possible endorsement application and are prepared for the campus endorsement interview; 
  • Creates a community of College student scholars, who encourage each other and provide thoughtful feedback.

To receive institutional endorsement from the University of Chicago, which is mandatory for all students, including alumni and Canadian Rhodes candidates, applicants must submit a complete, high-quality application by the stated campus deadline. Given the level of competitiveness for these awards, it is strongly encouraged that you participate fully in the process detailed below: 

Opportunities to learn about the Marshall, Mitchell, and Rhodes programs: Autumn and Winter Quarter

[1] MMR Introductory Information Session 

  • Monday, December 4: 12:00-1:30 PM, HM 284
  • Monday, January 22: 12:00-1:30 PM, HM 284

[2] MMR Campus Application Information Session

  • Thursday, February 29: 12:00 - 1:30 PM, HM 284
  • Additional sessions will be scheduled in Spring quarter 2024

*If you were unable to attend one of the MMR introductory or essay sessions, you can view slides and recordings from those presentations here: https://ccrf.uchicago.edu/ccrf-resource-library (you will need to have a UChicago ID to login). 

Prepare your campus endorsement application: Spring Quarter

[Step 1] If you choose to move forward with the MMR campus nomination process following your attendance at the introductory sessions or by viewing the recorded version of the session, please register for the 2024 MMR Cohort here: https://ccrf.uchicago.edu/content/marshall-mitchell-and-rhodes-cohort-sign. The cohort registration is only open to students who intend to apply this year. Once you register, you will be added to the 2024 MMR Cohort Canvas page.

[Step 2] Optional: Submit a draft of your campus application (all short answers) via the MMR cohort page by Monday, April 1. Following submission of your draft, you will be invited to schedule a one-on-one advising session with Dr. Salvo to discuss your drafts, your letter writers, and your academic program plans.  

[Step 3] Submit Campus Endorsement Application: May 1, 2024, 11:59 PM CT or July 1, 2024, 11:50 CT.

[Step 4] Participate in Faculty Campus Endorsement Interview, by invitation (required for nomination).

  • Between 5/20-5/24, 2024 (May 1 deadline)
  • Between 7/22-7/25, 2024 (July 1 deadline)

Campus endorsement application instructions: 

Note that you only submit one application; you will be endorsed for any/all of the award programs you identify (Rhodes, Marshall, and/or Mitchell). A complete campus application requires the following:

[1] Complete online application: includes basic biographical and academic data, names and contact information of the 3 individuals submitting letters on your behalf, as well as 5 additional names of individuals writing for you. NB: the Marshall Scholarship requires a total of 3 letters; the Mitchell Scholarship requires a total of 4 letters; the US Rhodes Scholarship requests up to 8 letters of recommendation. 

[2] Responses to the following questions (10): Please be as specific as possible, using examples from your own experience. 

  1. Describe the problem or needs of society (domestic or global) you want to address once you have finished your formal graduate training (350 words max.).
  2. Why are you motivated to pursue further education and a career devoted to solving these problems and meeting these stated needs? How have you already started to connect your experiences as an undergraduate with your vision of the future? Please be specific (400 words max.).
  3. List the 3 most significant courses you have taken in preparation for your proposed graduate study and future career (250 words max.).
  4. Describe your current top-choice graduate program in the UK, Ireland or at Oxford. Please make a case for the academic program you have chosen. You should also briefly describe your research plans and current research skills as a demonstration of your preparedness for graduate study, as relevant (350 words max.).
  5. Please provide the cultural reasons for your decision to pursue graduate study in the United Kingdom or Ireland, discuss how you will benefit from immersing yourself in its culture, and share what you want to contribute to your host community and university. In addition to addressing your cultural preparedness to engage with host-country communities, describe your capacity to work across boundaries and borders and share your plans for building upon this academic experience to forge future relationships and partnerships (350 words max.).
  6. Describe one specific example of leadership (400 words max.). Candidates should describe a specific example in which they responded to a need for leadership․ The example must evidence the following characteristics: a) it delivered a real and concrete outcome, or evidence of demonstrable advancement; b) it showed strength of purpose and aligned with candidates broader academic and professional plan; c) the solution was innovative and showed creativity and problem solving; and, d) exhibits self-awareness - that candidate understands their own style of leadership and how to motivate others․ NB: not leadership - a project or role taken on in the context of a job or internship; teaching or TAing; accepting a student government position or "leading" an RSO, unless you can show the delivery of results and that you actually changed something.
  7. Describe a recent experience in which you demonstrated courage of conviction, turned challenge into opportunity, and/or stood up for something you believed in (350 words max.).
  8. What is your immediate post-scholarship plan (3-5 years after you complete your studies in the UK or Ireland; 150 words max.)?
  9. What is your longer term vision and how is that vision attached to the contribution you hope to make (10-15 years; 150 words max.)?
  10. Additional information (350 words max.): is there anything else you would like the nomination committee to know about you that is not reflected elsewhere in your application (other essays, motivation statement or CV)? 

[4] A comprehensive curriculum vitae (CV) detailing honors, awards, research, leadership/service, and other co- and extra-curricular activities you have pursued since starting College. Do not include high-school experiences, GPA, or honors/awards. You can find our guidance on building an effective CV here: https://ccrf.uchicago.edu/national-fellowships/building-curriculum-vitae-cv

[5] Unofficial transcripts. Please do not upload screen shots. 

[6] Three (3) letters of recommendation: your letters of recommendation will be requested and uploaded via the campus application portal. Two of your three letters should be academic-focused letters from teaching faculty and/or research mentors; if you are involved in significant co- or extra-curricular activities or post-graduate activities, including employment, a third letter focused on your leadership/service/professional life is acceptable. Your letters should be from individuals who know you well and can offer an in-depth view into your candidacy. 

NB: Your academic letters should be obtained from faculty of any rank.  They do not have to be tenured, but should know you in a teaching or research capacity. You should not request letters from graduate students, preceptors, post-docs, career or academic advisors. Your character/leadership/public service letters should come from individuals who know you well and can testify in specfic terms to your leadership and ambition for others. 


Apply now! MMR Campus Application Portal is now open.

  • Campus Deadline Option #1: May 1, 2024 (11:59 CT)
  • Campus Deadline Option #2: July 1, 2024 (11:59 CT)

Alumni of the College must participate in the campus endorsement process for the Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships. Alumni applying to the Mitchell Scholarship are strongly encouraged to work with CCRF staff on their application materials.

If you are an international candidate for the Rhodes Scholarship, you are encouraged to contact Dr. Arthur Salvo to establish a working timeline based on your individual deadlines (September - October). For details on the Rhodes for students from eligible countries, visit: http://www.rhodeshouse.ox.ac.uk/about/rhodes-countries. With the exception of Canadian Rhodes candidates (see above), international Rhodes candidates are not required to participate in a formal endorsement process but are encouraged to meet with CCRF staff for general guidance and application support. 


If selected as a campus nominee:

Summer: endorsed candidates should prioritize the final stages of their Marshall, Mitchell and Rhodes application process during the summer. This includes:

  • Three additional required drafts of the essay portions of your application (motivation statement*, short essays, and CV). *CCRF/UChicago faculty/staff cannot review your Rhodes personal statement.
  • Remaining letters (Rhodes, Mitchell) secured. 
  • Entire application prepared for submission to national portals by end of September.
  • Late summer/early fall: participate in "Cohort Current Event Conversations" as preparation for national interviews.

Final national application submission: between late September and early October 2024 (depends on award program)

  • Invitation to interview nationally sent out approximately 3-4 weeks after national deadlines.
  • A minimum of two (2) mock interviews provided for national finalists.

Autumn Quarter: 

  • "Cohort Conversations" and ongoing interview training

National finalist interviews: mid- to late-November (typically just before the Thanksgiving holiday)

  • UChicago will cover all travel-related costs associated with travel to/from national interviews, including international travel, as necessary
  • Notification of scholars depends on the award program: on the day-of the Rhodes interviews, within about a week of the Marshall and Mitchell national interviews
  • NB: National finalists are expected to work with UChicago's College Communications teams to develop PR