Rhodes Applicants Endorsed

University endorsements for the Rhodes, Canadian Rhodes and Marshall Scholarships for study in England were posted this week at the Office of Career Services.

For 46 Rhodes candidates, the answer was "yes." But more than half of the 107 applicants were denied endorsement.

Results were listed anonymously by student identification number and house, with only a "yes" or "no" indicating the University's decision.

Dunster House residents received nine endorsements--more than any other house. Right behind them with seven were Lowell residents. Lowell had the most applicants--seventeen--and Adams had the highest percentage of its applicants endorsed--five out of seven.

According to literature from the Harvard Fellowships Office, the Rhodes Scholarship Trust encourages but does not require a letter of endorsement from the University. These letters are usually written by the senior tutor and fellowships advisor of the candidate's house.

The percentage of Marshall endorsements was somewhat higher--42 out of 63 applicants. Unlike Rhodes candidates, Marshall Scholarship hopefuls are required to obtain university endorsement.

Once again, Dunster residents received the most endorsements--nine. Dunster also had the most applicants with 13. Cabot, Kirkland and Currier had all of their applicants endorsed.

Applicants for the Canadian Rhodes Scholarship fared the best. All eight were endorsed.

Students interviewed yesterday were rather calm about the endorsement decisions.

"I'm happy, but I don't think it means that much," said Rebecca L. Tushnet'95, who received University endorsement. "This is step one of 800."

An applicant who did not receive endorsement and asked to remain anonymous said, "I think I'll apply anyway. From what I understand, the endorsement committee here have a cutoff for GPA, but the Rhodes committee tends to see grades as one facet of the application."

According to a fellowships office booklet, "The University Endorsement Committee hold applicants to uniform and exacting standards, including expectations for a Harvard GPA of 13.5 or better."

Lisa M. Muto '79, fellowships director and associate director of the office of Career Services, said the majority of applicants who are not endorsed still choose to apply.

"[Choosing whom to endorse] is always a tough decision," said Muto. "We get lots of applicants--all well qualified and highly, highly motivated."

She said the fellowships office can offer students feedback on their completed applications.

Jordan I. Schreiber '95, who received endorsement, said he appreciated the helpfulness of the fellowships office but would have liked to receive assistance prior to being endorsed.

"Once you get endorsed, the office is good about giving advice on applications and helping prepare for interviews," he said.