The Rhodes, Mitchell and Marshall Scholarship programs accepted applications from thousands of scholars nationwide Friday, included an increasing number of Michigan students.

These programs offer scholarships to attend academic programs in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The Marshall Scholarship accepts 40 students annually, while the Mitchell Scholarship accepts 12.

The Rhodes Scholarship program, considered one of the most prestigious scholarships offered, awards 32 college-level students in the United States and 95 students worldwide an opportunity to study at Oxford University.

Wayne Petty, co-chair of the Provost's Council on Student Honors, said the process for becoming a Rhodes Scholar is both fun and challenging.

"They are looking for good grades but within a demanding program," Petty said. "A sense of engagement within the University community and the community at large is very important."

According to Petty, there have been approximately 30 applicants each year from the University. He said this number will likely rise due to increasing awareness of the scholarship programs. University alumnus Fiona Rose, who graduated in 1998, is the University's most recent Rhodes Scholar.

University alumnus Antonia Henry applied to be a Rhodes and Mitchell Scholar within the LSA-Inteflex Program and said she has mixed feelings about the application process.

"The process was very stressful," Henry said. "I spent the summer gathering recommendations from faculty, searching degree programs at Oxford and writing my personal statement."

Henry's application was accepted by the nomination committee sending her to the next round of the process: a number of interviews, which she said were intimidating. Despite the arduous process, Henry said she felt honored to be a nominee and encourages students to research the various scholarship programs.

"When I was selected as a nominee from the University and state levels I was elated and humbled," she said. "You have nothing to lose and a major opportunity to gain."

Petty said he believes each student should take advantage of the University's scholarship programs.

"The University of Michigan has traditionally been a home for high achieving students," he said. "The Rhodes Scholar is one of the most outstanding opportunities for scholars to pursue graduate work."

The Rhodes Scholars for 2002 will be announced in early December.