Two Illinois-Chicago Seniors Named 2027 Rhodes Scholars
Michelle Du and Almoatasim M.N. Shahbain were among 32 American students selected for fully funded study at the University of Oxford.
Updated on Nov. 15, 2026 in Scholarships
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Two seniors from the University of Illinois and the University of Chicago were selected as 2027 Rhodes Scholars, The Rhodes Trust announced. The 32 selected American scholars will begin fully funded postgraduate programs at the University of Oxford in October 2027.
Why it matters
The Rhodes Scholarship is among the most competitive postgraduate awards for American students, with more than 3,000 applicants this cycle for 32 places. For readers across the United States, the announcement highlights a pathway from public and community colleges to elite international study.
The Rhodes Trust selected 32 American students from more than 3,000 applicants, with 238 finalists advancing to the final round. Since 1904, 3,738 Americans have received the award, including 704 women since women became eligible in 1976.
The players
The Rhodes Trust
The Rhodes Trust administers the Rhodes Scholarship, which funds postgraduate study at the University of Oxford for students from around the world.
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford, founded in the 12th century, is the oldest university in the English-speaking world and the host of the Rhodes Scholarship program.
The details
Almoatasim M.N. Shahbain, a political science student at the University of Illinois, plans to pursue master's degrees in diplomatic studies and public policy at Oxford. Michelle Du, finishing a B.A. in law, letters and society and a B.S. in data science at the University of Chicago, plans a master's in social science of the internet followed by a master's in philosophy in socio-legal research.
Timeline
1904: First U.S. class of Rhodes Scholars selected.
1976: Women became eligible for the Rhodes Scholarship.
November 15, 2026: The 2027 Rhodes Scholars were announced.
October 2027: Scholars begin postgraduate programs at Oxford.
Season Trajectory
The 2027 class extends the Rhodes program's record of selecting Americans since its first U.S. cohort in 1904, now totaling 3,738 scholars. The inclusion of two students from public and community college backgrounds reflects the program's ongoing recruitment across American higher education.
Students interested in the Rhodes Scholarship should review eligibility requirements and application timelines well before the cycle opens. Applicants typically compete against thousands of others, so preparing academic records, personal statements and recommendations early can help.
The takeaway
Strong academic records and clear postgraduate goals matter in competitive scholarship selection, and students from public and community colleges can compete at the highest levels. Starting the application process early gives candidates time to build the profile these programs look for.
Further reading
Explore more scholarship opportunities for American students pursuing postgraduate study abroad.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Chicago Sun-Times.
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