Several Penn State students are vying for the most prestigious scholarships in the world.

That is why Vishwajit L. Nimgaonkar, state secretary for the Rhodes Scholarship, spoke to a small group of students yesterday afternoon at the Schreyer Honors College in Atherton Hall.

"If I list three of the most wonderful things that happened in my life, this is one of them," Nimgaonkar said of his own achievement of the Rhodes Scholarship when he was a student.

The Rhodes Scholarship pays for up to three years of graduate school at Oxford University in England. Thirty-two students are selected from the United States, in addition to finalists from 18 other countries.

Nimgaonkar said Penn State has fared well with applications in the last few years.

Penn State has had two Rhodes Scholars: Zachary Battles in 2001 and Tess Thompson in 1997. Both are graduates of State College Area High School.

"Whatever you're doing, you're doing well," he said.

The Rhodes Scholarship is awarded to students who can best demonstrate their literary and scholastic achievements, success in sports, strong character and leadership.

Nimgaonkar stressed that students don't need to be perfect to become a finalist for the Rhodes Scholarship.

"We are all human beings ... we all have our strengths and weaknesses," he said.

Grades are important, but a 4.0 average is not absolutely necessary, Nimgaonkar said. He advised students to sit down and think about what they want to do in the next few years.

"We want scholars who are serious about studying there and are able to make the grade," he said.

Vivienne Wildes, director of the Undergraduate Fellowships Office, said that so far in this academic year, 23 students have applied to be selected for the Rhodes Scholarship.

Penn State can nominate up to 40 students for consideration, but only five students from the Pennsylvania region can be nominated.

After students are nominated by their schools, they must pass a state interview phase.

Next, they move to regional interviews. The country's eight regional districts each select four scholars to comprise the nation's 32 Rhodes Scholars.

Nimgaonkar said the interview process is grueling for both the nominees and himself.

"For weeks after the selection I muddle with things in my mind," he said. "I wonder if maybe I was too harsh."

Dan Fuchs (junior-management and international business), who attended the session, said the competitive aspect attracted him to the Rhodes Scholarship.

"It would open a lot of doors for me," he said.

Nimgaonkar suggested that while the scholarship has obvious academic implications, the social aspect is important as well.

"You will make friends there that you will keep for life, which I think is the most beneficial thing of the scholarship," he said.