On our beautiful campus in Memphis, Tennessee, Rhodes College provides a world-class college experience for our students. We offer more than 70 majors, minors, and interdisciplinary programs and our 10:1 faculty/student ratio, award-winning faculty, and supportive community empowers students to hold nothing back in pursuing their goals and dreams. Students discover their place in the Rhodes community, in our city, and the world thanks to hundreds of opportunities for exploration inside and outside the classroom. Our legacy speaks for itself: Rhodes College has graduated impactful changemakers and transformative leaders for over a century.
Meet Your Counselor
At Rhodes, you’ll find a welcoming atmosphere like no other. Our admission counselors are eager to get to know you and your talented students. Find the admission counselor who works with students from your area or country!
Visit Campus
Once you’re here, you’ll know—there’s simply no college experience that is quite like Rhodes. Our tight-knit, residential campus fosters community like no other. We invite you to visit and see for yourself!
Get to Know our Students
Rhodes typically enrolls a first-year class of nearly 500 talented and diverse students from all over the nation and abroad, accepting 47% to 49% of over 6000 applicants. Of our depositing students, 60% to 65% applied test optional. Our student body currently represents 45 states and 63 countries. You can download our class profile to learn more.
Counselor Visits to Rhodes
Rhodes hosts an annual counselor visit program each spring for approximately 25 counselors. Please ask your admission counselor for more information. We also welcome your individual visit anytime and would love to treat you to some Memphis BBQ! Memphis is approximately 3 hours from Nashville, 2.5 hours from Little Rock, and 4 hours from St. Louis, if you are planning to visit other colleges.
Admission Decision Information
- Rhodes adopted a permanent test-optional policy for admission and merit scholarship consideration. No student will be disadvantaged by not submitting a test score.
- To remove all bias from first reads, we review all applications test-free. If a student chooses to submit test scores, we consider scores in subsequent reviews. However, we continue our long-standing policy of being selectively test-blind above the benchmark level of 28/1300. We try to only consider test scores when submitted if it helps us advocate for an applicant.
- Early Decision I and II applicants can expect a response (including financial aid, if applicable) within two weeks of completing their application.
- Demonstrated interest will play a role in our admission process this cycle. We strongly encourage applicants to engage with the college in-person and/or virtually to gain a better understanding of the culture of Rhodes and to help determine personal fit in their student-centered college search.
- You can learn detailed information about each of our decision rounds by visiting the Apply section of our website.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Rhodes has a priority deadline of Dec. 1 for merit-based scholarships.
The Common Application also serves as the application for Rhodes’ merit-based scholarships. Regardless of application plan (ED1, ED2, EA, RD), all applications received by December 1 will be considered for our most prestigious scholarships. With our merit-based and need-based financial aid packages, it is not uncommon for the out-of-pocket expense of attending Rhodes to be no greater than that of attending a large state university. Applications received after December 1 may still be considered for merit scholarships.
Rhodes Merit Scholarships
Merit awards serve to recognize individual students for their academic talent, service, or leadership achievements.
- Cambridge Scholarship: $40,000 per year
- Founders Scholarship: $35,000 per year
- Presidential Scholarship: $33,000 per year
- Ralph C. Hon Scholarship: $31,000 per year
- Diehl Scholarship: $28,000 per year
Fellowships
Fellowships provide a way to put academics into action. These five fellowships require a special application process.
- Bonner Service Scholarships: $13,000 per year
- Clarence Day Scholarships: $35,000 per year
- The Jack Taylor Scholarship in Physics: Up to $18,500 per year
- Art and Music Scholarship: Up to$12,500 per year
- Jewish Community Fellowships: $10,000 per year
Note: For the 2024-2025 academic year, the new FAFSA will NOT be available until late December to early January. Early Decision and Early Action applicants must complete the CSS Profile (streamlined version) and the new FAFSA when it becomes available. Early Action and Regular Decision applicants are NOT required to complete the CSS Profile (streamlined) but must complete the FAFSA.
Rhodes no longer requires the CSS Profile. All applicants seeking need-based aid consideration must complete the FAFSA and possibly complete a few additional questions on the Rhodes Financial Supplement.
International students are eligible to be considered for merit scholarships. International students should submit the Rhodes Non-US Citizen Financial Information Form to enter consideration for need-based aid. Admission is more competitive for international students seeking need-based aid.
Prospective Student Programs
Rhodes offers opportunities for prospective students to have meaningful interactions with Rhodes faculty and staff. These programs also allow students to sample the Rhodes community through living in campus residence halls and exploring campus amenities and resources.
Crossroads: A Program for Admitted Underserved, First-Generation College, and Low-Income Students
Rhodes will host our annual Crossroads program for cultural inclusion in the winter and spring of 2024. All admitted applicants who identify with these groups will receive an invitation to register online.
Summer Writing Institute
Rhodes offers a two-week intensive Summer Writing Institute for high school students in June. Students earn two college credits and complete a portfolio of college-level writing. For more information, please visit the Summer Writing Institute webpage.
Mock Trial Academy
Rhodes also hosts a one-week Mock Trial Academy for high school juniors and seniors. Rhodes’ Mock Trial Team has received more national bids than any other collegiate mock trial program in the country. For more information, please visit the Mock Trial section of the site.
What’s New at Rhodes?
- Due to popular demand, Rhodes offers a new minor in Dance.
- Our newest residence hall, East Village C, a 61,717-sq.-ft. residence hall holds 150 students, provides flexible work and study space, spacious common areas, and a lodge designed for the college’s multicultural VOICES student organization.
- Rhodes offers expanded opportunities for in-person and telehealth counseling sessions. Access to mental health counselors is available free of charge 24/7/365 to students.
- Rhodes now offers an undergraduate certificate in journalism through the Department of English. A highly requested area of study, the Journalism certificate program enjoys a unique partnership with Memphis magazine, which offers our students opportunities for professional publication as undergraduates.