The Road to Oxford

April 17, 2020

By Beth Johnson

Henry Wu, BLF '20 was selected as a 2020 Rhodes Scholar and is The Ohio State University's eigth Bucjeye to receive this prestigious honor. Henry will be studying Political Theory at the University of Oxford before returning to pursue a law degree. You can read more about the process and underlying themes of Henry's application HERE.

On Applying for the Rhodes Scholarship: 

In my first year, I applied for a Fulbright Summer Institute program at the University of Bristol. I had a great experience there, and I was interested in returning back to the United Kingdom for graduate study. So, I think UK fellowships — like the Rhodes, Marshall, and Fulbright — were in the back of my mind, but I didn’t think I was competitive enough for the Rhodes Scholarship. Corey Efron, from the Undergraduate Fellowships Office, gave me some much-needed encouragement that was something along the lines of, “you never know, until you apply!” I’m also grateful to the faculty members who supported me throughout the application process and gave me similar advice.

Lessons Learned and Advice for Buckeyes:

It’s tough! The process is stressful and sometimes frustrating. It sounds cheesy, but I really did learn a lot about myself. Writing the personal statement, for example, takes a lot of self-reflection and introspection. The application timeline stretches on for months, which can seem intimidating, but that time helps you define your personal goals and values. For me, one of the most helpful things was talking to other students who have gone through the selection process.

How BLF Shaped Your Mindset for the Process: 

Beth and Rob have both been amazing sources of support throughout the application process. More generally, BLF has taught me to be open to new perspectives. My time in BLF has helped me “connect-the-dots” between my personal and professional experiences.

On Oxford and Law School:

Oxford is a global university with students from all around the world — I look forward to developing an international perspective on some of the most pressing global challenges. So far, I have been interested in issues related to the protection of vulnerable populations, such as victims of human trafficking. But these issues should not be separated from larger discussions around global development, inequality, and governance. At Oxford (and before law school), I want to figure out my role in addressing these challenges.