"For each of them, the difficult part is writing a short personal statement which is sort of grueling and nightmarish," he said.

Mark R. Freeman '97, an East Asian Studies concentrator in Winthrop House, also applied for both scholarships.

Freeman said he applied for the scholarships because of the honor and significance of the award.

"First of all, they both represent fantastic academic opportunities," he said. "It's a symbol. It's sort of a representation that you've done a good job."

Lisa Clayton-Robinson, the fellowships adviser in Winthrop House, said about a dozen Winthrop students submitted applications this year.

She said she gave the students advice on the essays they wrote for the applications.

"They're definitely well-prepared," she said. "They are a very self-selecting group of students."

The selection committee will choose the students who receive University endorsement. The committee consists of the fellowship advisers in each of the 13 houses as well as faculty members and administrators who are selected annually.

Bonner said there were about 80 applicants for the Rhodes scholarship and about a dozen for the Marshall this year.

About half of the applicants for the scholarships are chosen for endorsement, Bonner said.

The Rhodes requires applicants to submit a record of their extracurricular activities as well as a prospective study plan.

Marshall applicants must be U.S. citizens and have a 3.7 grade point average after the first year of college. The applications also requires students to submit a study plan