<p>Hi,
I'm fairly new to this forum and I had some questions about the Rhodes scholarship. I'm a senior in college right now and I have very strong extracurriculars and outside activities, but my GPA is somewhat weak due to a poor first freshman/1st half of sophomore year due to some family issues (cumulative 3.6 - 3.7). From that point on I've pretty much maintained a 4.0. I go to a very prestigious school w/ grade deflation -- the average is around a 3.2. </p>
<p>It seems so ridiculous to gripe about such a trivial difference in GPA, but from my understanding usually C's & a sub 3.9 GPA knocks someone out of the running. So I'm wondering if anyone knows if they take these external factors into account?</p>
<p>Have you spoken to any of your college's advisors? Have you discussed this with an faculty members you know well who you plan to use as references?</p>
<p>The Rhodes selection committees take academic excellence as a given. They look for much more. In your case, unless your campus major scholarships advisor is enthusiastic about your candidacy, and unless a half dozen faculty are wildly enthusiastic about your prospects, you probably don't stand much of a chance.</p>
<p>OTOH, if they are enthusiastic, you should go for it. Some past winners have had rather unusual backgrounds, so the "story" is much more important than the averages.</p>
<p>A hint on board etiquette: Be patient. Many of us are not here every day, much less all the time. Wait a day or two before refreshing a post.</p>