Universities Weblog

(Source: Oxford University)Of all the post-graduate scholarships, the Rhodes is no doubt the most prestigious. Some consider it the pinnacle of academic achievement.

Each year 32 Americans join others from around the world at Oxford University to pursue graduate degrees courtesy of the Rhodes Trust, established by Cecil Rhodes, the British imperialist diamond miner. Naturally, it's extremely competitive, and colleges like to brag about students who win the Rhodes. In recent years, some institutions have established offices or advisors to help students navigate the application and interview process. To some extent, it's worked; many colleges—including publics and less-prestigious privates—are now producing winners. Of course, the Ivies still dominate, led by Harvard, which last year alone produced six, bringing the university's all-time total to 300.

Keep in mind, though, that the people responsible for choosing Rhodes Scholars are former scholars, so might they favor students from their own schools? Might that make it more difficult for other schools to break in? Perhaps that's why certain colleges more aggressively push students in that direction.

Still, what does the accomplishment of one student say about the university in general? Does the academic reputation of the place rise? Does the halo effect extend that far?

Some evidently think so.

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