Among 32 'Rose Scholars' including Bill Clinton, 22 are women... "The highest number ever"

▲University of Oxford

[Asia Economy Reporter Kwon Jae-hee] The number of female American students receiving the prestigious UK Rhodes Scholarship, known as a gateway for talent that has produced figures such as former US President Bill Clinton, has reached an all-time high, AP News reported on the 21st (local time).

According to the report, the Rhodes Trust selected 32 American scholars from 826 US applicants to study at the University of Oxford in the UK.

Among them, 22 were female students, marking the highest number ever recorded.

The foundation explained, "We selected scholars who demonstrated outstanding leadership potential," adding, "Balance or diversity were not considered in the selection process."

Louis Frank (21, female), a senior biochemistry major at Clemson University in South Carolina and the first Rhodes Scholar from the school, said, "I want to become an expert in health policy by combining science and public policy," and added, "I want to study Politics, Philosophy, and Economics at the University of Oxford."

The Rhodes Scholarship is funded by the estate left by British businessman Cecil Rhodes in 1902.

Since 1904, it has selected American scholars and currently selects 102 scholars annually from over 60 countries worldwide, providing them the opportunity to study at the University of Oxford.

Astronomer Edwin Hubble, whose name is on the Hubble Space Telescope (HST), former President Clinton, and Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg are also alumni of the Rhodes Scholarship.

American college students can apply through their current universities with approval, and 16 regional selection committees in the US select two scholars each through screening and interviews, totaling 32 scholars.

This year, 32 scholars were selected from 24 universities across the US, including four each from Harvard University and the United States Military Academy, and three from Yale University.

Elliott Gerson, the US director of the Rhodes Scholarship, said, "The fundamental selection criterion is academic excellence, which is an important minimum standard," adding, "Rhodes Scholars must have great ambition for social impact and the ability to collaborate with others to achieve their goals."

He continued, "They must also have the will to change the world for the better, concern for the welfare of others, and awareness of addressing inequality."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.