Harvard Endorses Rhodes, Marshall Candidates

Harvard University endorsed the candidacies of 33 applicants for Rhodes Scholarships and 29 applicants for Marshall Scholarships Thursday night.

Eighty-two seniors had applied through the College for Rhodes endorsement, and 69 had applied for the Marshall fellowship, said Adonica C. Lui, assistant director of fellowships at the Office of Career Services (OCS.).

The Rhodes Scholarship funds two to three years of study at Oxford University, while the Marshall Scholarship funds study anywhere in the United Kingdom.

The flexibility of the fellowships typically attracts seniors.

Saloni K. Saraiya '00, of Quincy House, received an endorsement to study in the well-known Philosophy, Politics and Economics program at Oxford University.

"I want to understand the multidisciplinary forces that shape society," she said.

The application for Harvard endorsement, due this year on Sept. 18, mirrors the actual application for the fellowships.

For endorsement, students must submit a transcript, a list of activities and a 1,000-word "signed, connected personal statement of general activities and intellectual interests in college and proposed course of study."

The Marshall endorsement application requires one additional essay.

The selection process has two stages, according to Lui and Ben Berger, former fellowships advisor at Pforzheimer House.

First, all the fellowship advisors except the student's own House advisor read the application. Each reader either votes for or against the candidate.

Unless the senior has the overwhelming support of the advisors at this point, which is rare, according to Berger, the application moves to a second Faculty committee.

This five-member committee, chaired by Dean of the College Harry R. Lewis '68, consists of two Faculty members, Lui, and Paul A. Bohlmann, Director of Fellowships at OCS.

The senior's House fellowship advisor could write a letter supporting the candidate before this committee makes the final decision, Berger said.

Accepted applicants said they see both advantages and frustrations with this system.

Ann S. Robinson '00 of Lowell House, who received endorsements for both the Rhodes and the Marshall, said she appreciates that she has completed most of the application requirements already.

Saraiya echoed these sentiments. "It's good, because it ensures that you have all your application materials together early. The only drawback is that there is a short turnaround time to get your recommendation letters in order," she said.

"Applying for a Harvard endorsement against an extremely well-qualified pool of Harvard applications is intimidating, but shouldn't keep one from at least trying," she added.

The Rhodes application process continues with both a state and district interview before the eventual selection of 32 Rhodes Scholars from over 1,200 applicants, according to the Harvard College Guide to Grants.

The Marshall Scholarship has only a district interview.

Both scholarships are converging towards a common set of selection criteria, Berger said.

"There is a misperception that the Rhodes is only open to political careers," Lui said. However, she said, selection committees for both the Rhodes and the Marshall award scholarships to students from all academic disciplines.

While the Rhodes was once reserved for varsity athletes, and the Marshall for serious scholars, both now seek Renaissance students, Berger said.

"The Rhodes has changed a lot," Berger said, "They are looking for only basic evidence of physical vigor. The threshold is as low as interest in amateur hiking."

"The Marshall has become less scholarly and seeks students who will interact outside of the academy," Berger said.

Both scholarships highly value community service and a demonstrated intent to pursue projects that help under-served communities, he said.

Berger said that competition for University endorsement may be more stiff than at other universities.

"Harvard students have a phenomenal opportunity and a difficult

situation," he said. "OCS does its best, but there are many good people that don't get through."

Saraiya advised interested students to apply, despite perceptions that receiving an endorsement is improbable.

"Applying for a Harvard endorsement against an extremely

well-qualified pool of Harvard applications is intimidating, but shouldn't keep one from at least trying," she said.

Berger also noted that the prestigious Rhodes and Marshall awards are not the only ways to finance study abroad.

"There are other fantastic fellowships," he said. "Graduating

with a Harvard degree, there are many ways to succeed."