In the late Fall, I attended a luncheon for independent college admissions consultants with Lauren Sefton, Associate Director of Admission from Rhodes College. Here is some of what Lauren shared with us:
Overview: Rhodes College is a liberal arts college of around 2000 undergraduate in Memphis, Tennessee. The college draws students from around the country and the world with 76% from outside of Tennessee. There are students from 46 states, Washington, D.C., and 43 countries.
The college has a beautiful 100-acre campus with stone Gothic architecture buildings, thirteen of which are on the National Register of Historic Places.
Academics: Rhodes offers more than 50 majors and minors. Classes are small with an average class size of 14.
Rhodes has strength in the sciences. It has a new $34 million science facility. Biology and neuroscience undergraduates benefit from partnerships with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and the Neuroscience Institute at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. Rhodes sends more students to medical school than any other liberal arts college.
Computer science and neuroscience are among the college’s fast-growing majors.Study abroad or off-campus is big, with 65% of students participating. 75% of students complete internships.
Extracurricular activities: There are over 100 clubs, organizations and intramural and club sports. Greek life is popular, with students rushing in the 2nd semester. Volunteerism is huge, with 80% of students volunteering. Rhodes has 21 Division III athletics teams, with a strong rivalry with Sewanee.
Applying: You can apply to Rhodes using the Common App with NO fee. There is no additional essay. Demonstrated interest is important.
Financial Aid: Merit aid ranging up to full tuition, is typically offered to the top third of the incoming class, without any separate application. There are four fellowships that require a special application process: Taylor Physics Fellowship, Fine Art Award, Jewish Community Fellowship, and Bonner Service Scholarship.
Students seeking need-based aid must complete the FAFSA and the CSS PROFILE.
International students are considered for both merit and need-based aid. Admissions is more competitive for international students looking for need-based aid.
