<p>I too have heard complaints regarding the Rhodes’ attitude towards those that win multiple awards and certainly agree that it’s a bit selfish on the selection committee’s part. There’s no harm in giving people a day or two to think things over… imagine if the a college called and said (after you applied to 10 different schools) you’ve been admitted on a full scholarship and must say yes or no right now and by the way if you say no we’re going to take the money that was set aside for you and put it back into our bank account rather than giving it so some other deserving student. Yeah, sounds a bit silly really. </p>
<p>The obvious answer to Newmassdad’s observation that he’s never heard of anyone that’s turned down a Rhodes offer for a Marshall is easily answered both due to the “take it or you will have ruined it for someone else” approach that the committee takes but, even more-so, the simple fact that the Marshall goes first and gets first pick of the crop. </p>
<p>If someone’s first choice is the Marshall and they get it, then they’ll accept it and cancel or decline the Rhodes interview (if they have one in the coming weeks). We’ve had a few Marshall scholars (and Rhodes) at my school and our fellowship advisor said they (Marshall Scholar) just called the Rhodes and told them, and politely canceled the interview with no hard feelings… especially since the Rhodes wasn’t going to pay for the trip anyway. If someone gets the Marshall but it’s not their first choice then they’ll likely keep the interview appointment.</p>