CHANGED REQUIREMENTS FOR RHODES SCHOLARSHIPS

The decision of the British universities to allow the graduates of approved American universities and colleges to proceed directly to study for degrees, without preliminary examinations of any kind, and the abolition of compulsory Greek at Oxford have had an important bearing on the appointment of Rhodes Scholars from the United States. Heretofore many men otherwise well qualified for appointment have been unable to apply because of inability to pass the Oxford entrance examinations in classics; now many such men will be able to compete.

The Rhodes Trustees have never required any examinations other than the entrance examinations of the university, but even these were in many cases sufficient to discourage men from seeking appointment. In recent years, therefore, appointment has been made solely on a man's record in this country, the assumption being that any man whose scholarship record justified his appointment to a Rhodes Scholarship would be able to pass the examinations later if he had had previous training in Latin, an assumption which has been entirely justified. Now, however, the field is broadened to include many men who have had no classical training at all, and this change has already led to a considerable increase in the number of men applying for scholarships. As the regulations now stand Greek is not required at all of non-classical students and graduates of approved institutions are in general able to proceed at once to study for their degrees; graduates of other institutions and undergraduates are in general required to pass, after appointment, a rather easy entrance examination in Latin and elementary mathematics.

Actual appointment from any state is now made by a committee, composed chiefly of ex-Rhodes Scholars, from among candidates who have already received the approval of their own colleges. Formal applications, accompanied by all necessary documents, must reach the committee before August 14.