Most Prestigious Scholarships in the World?

I'm looking to apply for some prestigious scholarships, ideally ones that are recognized globally. Which ones should I be looking at, and what are their key requirements? Any advice on how to make a strong application?

The Rhodes Scholarship and the Fulbright Program are two globally-recognized academic scholarships that come to mind initially, followed by the Gates Cambridge Scholarship and the Marshall Scholarship.

1. Rhodes Scholarship: This scholarship is for postgraduate study at the University of Oxford. Applicants must demonstrate notable academic achievements, character, and a commitment to service. It covers all university and college fees, a personal stipend, and one economy class airfare to and from Oxford at the beginning and end of the scholarship.

2. Fulbright Program: The U.S. Student Fulbright Program is a research/study grant intended for U.S. students and young professionals to conduct independent study/research on a topic they propose. The program covers transportation to the host country, living expenses, and health benefits.

3. Gates Cambridge Scholarship: This one is for any non-UK student looking to pursue a full-time postgraduate degree in any subject available at the University of Cambridge. It covers the cost of studying at Cambridge (university fees, maintenance allowance), airfare at the start and end of the course, and some dependent's allowances.

4. Marshall Scholarship: This scholarship funds American students to study for a degree in the United Kingdom. It's geared toward those who have demonstrate academic merit, leadership potential, and ambassadorial potential.

In terms of building a strong application, beyond having above-average academic records, it's critical to focus on the broader impact you wish to make and how these scholarships help you achieve that goal. This isn't just about you obtaining a degree—scholarship committees want to see how you plan to use this opportunity to enact change in your field or in your community.

Polish your application by tailoring your essays to each scholarship, highlighting not only your past achievements, but also your future aspirations and how the specific scholarship aligns with and supports those. Avoid generic responses—be precise in describing why you chose this specific scholarship, and use real-life examples to support your application.

Lastly, letters of recommendation play a significant role in the application process. Ensure that your recommenders not only know you well but also understand the scholarship's aims and areas of focus, so they can tailor their letter to highlight facets of your career and experiences pertinent to the criteria of the scholarship.

Also, if linguistics is involved in the country you'll be studying in, make sure you've proven your proficiency through tests or prior experiences in that language.

It's important to start early and prepare a timeline for completing your applications. This will give you ample time for revisions, obtaining letters, and getting feedback from mentors or guidance counselors who already have experience in the process. Double-check all deadlines and requirements specifically on the official website of each scholarship as they may vary by year and location. Best of luck!