Under the present arrangement a Rhodes Scholar, when appointed, is to send to Mr. Wylie, along with his credentials (see [p. 42]), a list containing the names of several (five or six) Colleges in the order of his choice. One has no assurance that he will be admitted to the College of his first choice, as the methods of selection and the limits of accommodation of individual Colleges, as well as the provision of the Rhodes Trust that the scholars shall be distributed among the Colleges, prevent the entrance of large numbers at any one time into any one College.
Thus it is important that one be careful not only in making his first, but in making his second, his third, and even his fourth choice. One should carefully consult what sources of information he can, and be as familiar as possible with the characters of the Colleges which he names in his list.[78]
Expense, for instance, may be considered by some. There is some difference between the cost of living at various Colleges. Yet one should not let a difference of a few pounds outweigh other considerations which, were that eliminated, would attract him to other Colleges. The advantages which one thinks he may obtain from congenial surroundings—the influence of certain traditions, the presence of certain Tutors—the atmosphere which is best adapted to one’s disposition and to his work; these should be the considerations which determine a choice.
It may be of interest to future applicants, in this connexion, to know that a thick volume of eulogistic letters of recommendation, &c., is not so highly prized in Oxford as it may seem to be in certain other places. The facts—all of them—are wanted, in a plain, matter-of-fact, concise form. But pages of glowing praise are likely to cause first amazement, then amusement, then suspicion, and sometimes rejection in certain Senior Common-rooms in Oxford.[79]
Standing.
It has been often asked: how may one know whether he is going to obtain ‘Senior or Junior standing or neither’? A positive answer is difficult. However, any one may at once learn from his own University whether it is affiliated with Oxford or not, and whether his local standing will entitle him to Oxford Senior standing.[80]
If not, he may still entertain hopes for senior Standing in case he has obtained ‘honours’ (e. g. Phi Beta Kappa, or summa cum laude) with his degree. The student who cannot qualify for Senior standing may reasonably expect to obtain Junior standing if he has a degree and can show a satisfactory record in a satisfactory course.[81]
Choice of Work.
To make the most of his opportunities it is essential that the Rhodes Scholar shall as early as possible choose the course of study which he wishes to pursue at Oxford. Owing to the difficulty of adjusting himself to the Oxford method and system, one is likely, unless he studies the matter out carefully, to lose much valuable time. As soon as appointed the Rhodes Scholar should inform himself as quickly and as thoroughly as possible, from what sources may be available, and further, if necessary, by correspondence, as to the opportunities and facilities and the requirements for work in the subject in which he is interested. It should be borne in mind that Oxford does not draw a sharp line between ‘undergraduate’ and ‘graduate’ study; that reading for the B.A. degree in an Oxford Honour School is to a large extent ‘specializing’, and that the work need by no means be a repetition of what one has done elsewhere in getting his B.A.; that the tutorial system calls for a large amount of private reading with elastic limitations, with much work during Vacations; and that this system will require in most cases a radical readjustment of habits and methods of work.
A brief restatement of courses and combinations of courses which are most readily open to Rhodes Scholars may simplify this problem to some extent. Every Rhodes Scholar has before him the choice[82] (1) of reading for a B.A. in one of the nine Honour Schools; (2) of doing ‘special study’ for which a Diploma is granted; (3) of doing research work for the Bachelor’s degree in Letters or Science; or (4) of taking the course for the degree of Bachelor of Civil Law. In some cases two of these courses may be combined.