THE BERMUDA RHODES SCHOLARSHIP 2012

(Referee's Letter)
(back)

Your name has been given as a reference by the abovementioned applicant for a Rhodes Scholarship who comes before our Committee of Selection this year. The Committee should be grateful if you would send me a frank and confidential statement regarding applicant’s qualifications. Your prompt compliance with this request will be of great assistance to the applicant and will be much appreciated by the Committee of Selection.

Proven intellectual and academic quality of a high standard is the first quality required of applicants, but they will also be required to show (i) integrity of character, (ii) interest in and respect for their fellow beings, (iii) the ability to lead and (iv) the energy to use their talents to the full.

Mr. Rhodes believed that the last of these qualities was best tested through participation and success in sports. Sporting prowess, however, is not an essential if applicants demonstrate in other ways the physical vigour which will enable Rhodes Scholars to make the effective contribution to the world around them which Mr. Rhodes clearly expected in expressing the hope that a Rhodes Scholar would come to "esteem the performance of public duties as [his/her] highest aim".

It is not expected that you will be able to speak from first hand knowledge of the candidate's qualifications under all those heads. If you are primarily acquainted with the candidate through a teacher/pupil relationship, you are requested to concentrate particularly on academic quality and potential (bearing in mind that your reference will be used for admission procedures at Oxford University) 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 candidate's limitations as well as qualities. A critical appraisement will add to, rather than detract from, the force of your letter, since Committees naturally tend to be dubious of recommendations which imply that a candidate has no limitations whatever.

Since the Committee needs time to consider the credentials of a number of applicants, I should be grateful if you would reply at your earliest convenience. Your letter will be treated as strictly confidential and will be read only by those whose duty it is to pass judgement upon the qualifications of the applicant.

John C.R. Collis
Secretary of the Rhodes Scholarship Selection Committee for Bermuda
Clarendon House, Church Street
Hamilton HM 11, Bermuda
Tel: +1 441 299 4910 Fax: +1 441 292 9337 Email: johncollis@jexec.bm
Website: www.rhodes.bm