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Rhodes College

Rhodes skips the supplemental essay, so your Common App personal statement (and an optional 90-second video) is the whole story.

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Required supplemental essays

Main essay

Common App personal statement

Word limit

650 words

Optional extra

90-second video

What Rhodes rewards

Rhodes College does not require a supplemental essay for first-year applicants in 2025-26. That sounds like a break, but it raises the stakes on the one piece of writing you do submit: the Common App personal statement, capped at 650 words. With no "Why Rhodes" prompt to prove fit, your personal statement has to carry your whole voice, and everything else (transcript, rigor, recommendations) does the rest. Rhodes is test-optional, and a clear majority of admitted students applied without scores, so your words matter even more.

There is one optional extra worth knowing about: an optional 90-second "Elevator Pitch" video where you introduce yourself. It is not required and it does not replace the essay, but it is a low-risk way to add warmth and personality. Below we coach the personal statement the way a Rhodes reader will actually read it, then cover the video and deadlines in the FAQs.

01A real voice over a polished resume. With no supplement to test fit, Rhodes readers use the personal statement to hear an actual seventeen-year-old thinking. Sentences that sound like you talking, not like a thesaurus, win here. Specificity beats grandeur every time.

02Curiosity and reflection. Rhodes is a liberal arts college that prizes intellectual curiosity and self-awareness. An essay that shows you noticing things, changing your mind, and reflecting on why tends to land better than one that just lists accomplishments.

03Warmth and community fit. Rhodes is small and tight-knit, in the middle of Memphis, with a strong service and honor-code culture. Essays that reveal how you treat people, show up, or contribute to a group signal you will thrive in that environment.

04Concrete detail. Because this is the only essay, granular detail does double duty: it proves the story is yours and makes you memorable in a pile of applications. One precise image is worth a paragraph of adjectives.

Essay prompts for 2026-2027

1 prompt for Rhodes, each broken down with annotated examples.

Common App Personal Statement650 words (choose 1 of 7 Common App prompts)

Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

See all 1 prompt and get a read

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Add your GPA, test scores, and profile to estimate your odds at Rhodes and build a balanced list.

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Deadlines

Early Decision INov 1

Early ActionNov 15

Early Decision IIJan 15

Regular DecisionJan 15

Scholarship priorityDec 1

Cost

Sticker price$74,474

Avg net after aid$34,691

Meets full needMost

Read my essay for Rhodes

Explore Rhodes

How to get inAcceptance rate, the GPA and SAT profile, and what Rhodes weighs most Supplemental essays1 prompt, each broken down with annotated examples Cost & financial aidAverage $34,691/yr after aid · net price by income + calculator InterviewDoes Rhodes interview? Format, tips, and practice The Rhodes Reader ProScore your draft against Rhodes's exact prompts

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Rhodes appears in

Test-optional colleges Colleges where the essay matters most The most selective colleges Colleges that weigh character most heavily

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Rhodes FAQ

What is Rhodes's acceptance rate?

Rhodes admits roughly half of applicants, which makes it competitive but not a lottery. Because there is no supplemental essay, the admissions reader leans hard on your Common App personal statement, your transcript and rigor, and your recommendations to decide whether you fit a tight-knit liberal arts college in Memphis. A vivid, specific personal statement is the single biggest lever you control. At Rhodes, a strong application essay and a well-balanced school list matter alongside your grades and test scores.

What supplemental essays does Rhodes require?

Rhodes requires 1 supplemental essay on its application. On EssayLens each prompt is broken down with annotated examples, and you can get a free admissions-style read of your draft against the exact prompt.

How much does Rhodes cost?

Rhodes's published sticker price is about $74,474 per year, but the average family pays $34,691 after financial aid. Your net price depends on your family income; use the calculator to estimate yours.

Does Rhodes require SAT or ACT scores?

Rhodes is test-optional: you can apply without SAT or ACT scores, and strong scores are just one factor among many when you do submit them.

When are Rhodes's application deadlines?

Rhodes's application deadlines are Early Decision I Nov 1; Early Action Nov 15; Early Decision II Jan 15; Regular Decision Jan 15; Scholarship priority Dec 1. Add Rhodes to your plan on EssayLens to track its deadlines automatically.

Campus photo via Wikipedia.

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