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Information
for the person from whom a letter of appraisal has been requested:
The person whose
name given above is an applicant for a Rhodes Scholarship. The Selection
Committee will be
grateful if you will provide a frank statement regarding this applicant's
qualifications. A reply within the next few
days will be helpful both to the Committee and the applicant. Preferably,
your letter will be no less than 300 words
in length.
Proven intellectual
and academic attainment of a high standard is the first quality
required of applicants, but they
will also be required to show integrity of character, sympathy for
and protection of the weak, the ability to lead
and 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 an effective contribution to
the world around them. Mr. Rhodes clearly
expected this in expressing the hope that a Rhodes Scholar would
come to 'esteem the performance of public
duties on his 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 an academic relationship you are
requested to concentrate particularly on intellectual 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 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
person 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.
The Selection
Committee will begin, evaluation of the credentials of applicants
on or about October 3.
Your assistance will be especially valuable if your comments can
be made available to the Committee before the
date. No assurance can be given that the Committee will be in a
position to make use of letters received
subsequent to that date. The Committee deeply appreciates your help
in this matter.
Please mail
your letter of appraisal to the Secretary of the Selection Committee
Mr.
Peter Goldson
21 East
Street, Kingston, Jamaica
Tel.:
(876)922-5960, Fax: (876)922-7575
Further
information can be obtained from the internet at
www.rhodes-caribbean.com
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