Having the scholarship to pursue your education at a prestigious school may be one of the most awaited dreams for any student or even those aspiring to return to school. It would be anyone's goal to be accepted at the University of Oxford since it is one of the most famed schools to be known. Recently, 32 students from various universities across the country were selected to attend the institution. These students have been chosen to be Rhodes scholarship recipients for the coming school year 2025. Four West Point cadets have been picked to join the program.

The Rhodes Scholarship Recipients Have Been Chosen

Around 3,000 U.S. students have filled out their application to attend Oxford University to finish their postgraduate degrees starting in October 2025. 

This massive number of applicants has been trimmed down to 865, and only 238 were picked to join the interview session until the final number of students joining the program was announced. 

 in West Point from Eastern Mennonite University and California's Pepperdine University.

According to the American secretary of the Rhodes Trust, Ramona L. Doyle, Rhodes scholarship recipients should also have an excellent purpose for social influence and a unique ability to collaborate to achieve their goals. This is in addition to having academic excellence. 

These recipients should be committed to creating a huge difference for the betterment of the world, have a vital concern for other's welfare, and be acutely conscious of injustices.

Doyles even added that the Rhodes Scholarship is the oldest and the best-known award for international study and the most prominent academic award open to American college graduates.

What Does the Rhodes Scholarship Package Look Like?

With the announcement last Sunday, there are now a total of 3,674 American Rhodes scholarship recipients coming from 329 universities and colleges. There have also been 675 women who won the scholarship despite being eligible to apply since 1976.

Those who have been chosen for class 2024 were the first to take part in the in-person screening since the outbreak of COVID-19. During the past three years, everything has been done online.

The program usually lasts about two to four years, and the scholarship will cover everything, including transportation and living expenses stipend. According to reports, the scholarship is valued at around $75,000 annually and may reach $250,000 if the scholar remains in their department for four years.

The sponsorship of the Rhodes scholarship recipient was created in 1902 by 

; she is also the founder of a diamond mining and manufacturing company, De Beers. The inaugural class began in 1903, and the first scholars from the United States arrived a year later.

A Closer Look at How the Rhodes Scholarship Process Works

Those who want to be a Rhodes scholarship recipient need to undergo a two-stage process. 

Aspirants who are residents of the United States, U.S. territories, or the District of Columbia must have an endorsement coming from their university or college. 

Finalists will undergo interviews with the district committees, and those who are picked will usually be announced in November. 

It may be a different case for international students as they must apply through their country's constituency, which may have a different timeline.

Cadet Sarah Cao is an International Affairs and Chinese double major at West Point, with a minor in Terrorism Studies. 

She has completed internships at the Center for Naval Analyses and the U.S. Mission to the United Nations, presenting her research at 6 conference panels. 

She is also a Battalion Commander and leader on the International Affairs Forum and Chinese Language and Cultural Association.

With this scholarship, Cao plans to get a Master of Science in Global Governance and Diplomacy and a Master of Science in Contemporary Chinese Studies.

Cadet Shepherd Dzina is an Economics major and the Brigade Executive Officer at West Point.

Dzina completed an internship at the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation. 

Dzina has plans to be commissioned into the Infantry branch and wants to pursue a career in Civil Affairs. 

With this scholarship, he is getting a Master of Science in Economics for Development and a Master of Science in Global Governance and Diplomacy.

Cadet Gabriella Sorrentino is an American History and Philosophy double major at West Point. 

She is working on a dual thesis, and was a contributing editor on an memoir. 

Sorrentino plans to pursue a career in the Field Artillery branch and then the Judge Advocate General Corps. 

With this scholarship, she wants to get a Master of Science in Migration Studies and a Master’s Degree in Public Policy.

Cadet Ava Spinar is a Life Science major at West Point, and has served as a Commander of Cadet Basic Training.

Spinar wishes to become an Army physician and lead the military medical system. 

With this scholarship, she plans to get a Master of Science in Global Health Science and Epidemiology and a Master of Science in Genomic Medicine.

Other Educational Assistance Opportunities for the Military

If you have yet to be selected to be on the list of Rhodes scholarship recipients, there are still other ways you can pursue your studies. 

Service members must first contact an education counselor regarding the specifics of tuition assistance. This can be done by visiting their local installation education office or going online to a virtual education center. 

Every service branch has its own application form and procedures.

Before enrolling, you may also be required to create an education plan or complete the tuition assistance orientation. The assistance may also be used to pursue degree programs at universities and colleges nationally accredited by an accrediting body and recognized by 

. You can also visit their website to check if the school is accredited.

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Going to space is one thing but for Army Reserve Maj. Kate Rubins, she’s being awarded one of the rarest military honors you’ll find. The astronaut-turned-Soldier became eligible during a trip to the International Space Station (ISS) and is now pinned with something most people in the Army will never have the opportunity to earn, much less see through.

For Kate Rubins, being an astronaut for NASA had some overlap with serving in the Army Reserve.

For example, when Rubins took the basic officer leadership course, she noticed how helpful the lessons on land navigation would be while in space, specifically, for someone who would have to navigate the moon without satellites or compasses.

Her career serving our nation’s space program and defense needs has brought forth a promising career in both and ultimately earned Rubins the Basic Aviation Badge with Astronaut Device and Space Badge.

Army Aviation Badge With Astronaut Device

Having an Army Aviation Badge with Astronaut Device is the rarest badge you can get when serving in the Army.

First off, you must be an officer and to qualify, you’ll need to fly as a part of a space mission from the government with NASA.

However, even then, you only qualify if you complete the mission more than 50 miles above the earth and to earn the Basic Space Badge, you’ll need to hold a space-related position for a year or more.

Considering Soldiers spend most of their time as literal boots on the ground, it’s understandable that not many have accomplished the feat Astronaut Kate Rubins has.

, Kate Rubins is an astronaut and reservist who would qualify by quite some margin for the badge.

Her achievements are a testament to the wide range of service and expertise found among the military as well as the evolving needs of our nation as space travel continues to become more accessible and evolve throughout the world.

While Rubins decided to join the Army more recently, her experience in outer space speaks for itself, having been to the heavens almost ten years before enlisting.

Rubins has been to the ISS and operated for NASA missions as a part of Expedition 48/49 in 2016 and Mission 63/64 in 2020.

One interesting highlight of her career would come when she was a part of the team responsible for 

Dr. Kate Rubins (yeah, she has a Ph.D too), joins Lt. Col. Anne McClain as the only other active-duty Soldier to earn the astronaut device.

It took two and a half years to prepare for her space mission and another six months in space to execute the mission.

The microbiologist has worked on research involving viral diseases in Africa as the lead researcher for the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research.

She has also worked on molecular biology projects, helping the Army Medical Research Institute of Infectious Disease at Fort Dietrich understand various biological threats, including Ebola and Mpox.

The knowledge Rubins possesses has helped the 75th U.S. Army Reserve Innovation Command, where she serves providing expertise to help advance solutions involving synthetic biology and biodefense.

At its core, the work Rubins provides for the Army involves taking modern solutions to adapt and apply to problems affecting the U.S. military.

The unique skillset and experience Kate Rubins brings to the table is a rare mix that provides both the military and civilian efforts she operates within advantageous expertise.

Maj. Kate Rubins continues to reach for the stars and actually grasps them. Her service to our nation is inspiring, unique, and is paving the way for a better tomorrow.

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