Congratulations to Dr Efosa Iyawe, one of the valedictorians of the 2k18 Excelsior class on emerging on the list of the top 14 finalists for the 2024 Rhodes Scholarship for West Africa.
The Rhodes Scholarships is a fully funded, full time, postgraduate award supporting exceptional all-round students from around the world to study at the University of Oxford. Out of 3,214 applications submitted, 319 were accepted while 242 qualified to have met all the eligibility criteria before the figures were tuned down to 54 then 27 and finally to 14 worthy applicants.
The criteria includes literary and scholastic attainments, mastery in extracurriculars such as sports, music, debate, dance, theatre, and artistic pursuits, particularly where teamwork is involved, sympathy for and protection of the weak and fellowship, moral force of character and instincts to lead amongst others.
Speaking to Dr Iyawe on this milestone and the journey here, he had this to say, ‘The application process was quite challenging due to peculiarities of getting my transcript and other documents from College in time to meet the deadline but during the process, I kept reviewing my application to my mentors and they really gave me a relieving level of assurance that I was most likely going to get shortlisted. I, however, still felt a bit unsure so when I made the cut eventually I was really happy about it. Being a Rhodes finalist is a big deal in itself but winning the scholarship is a bigger deal. I’m really hopeful for the best and I know this is only the beginning for me.’
Three final Rhodes Scholars will be chosen on Saturday 11th November following the final interview which will hold at the Finalist Weekend at Accra, Ghana.
Osaretin Vanessa Ehiorobo