From New Jersey to Oxford: How David McMillan Won the Rotary Global Scholarship to Study Criminology and Public Policy

Hi, I’m David McMillan and I’m from New Jersey. I decided to pursue a Master of Science (MSc) in Criminology and Criminal Justice at the University of Oxford after having had meaningful internship experiences in the public policy and advocacy space.

Scholarship Details

Rotary International awarded me a Global Rotary Scholarship (formerly known as the Ambassadorial Scholarship), a $30,000 (USD) award, which was paid directly to St. Cross College, University of Oxford to cover my tuition costs.

Educational Background

I graduated summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa from The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) with a bachelor’s degree in philosophy and a triple minor—economics, classical studies, and LPP (law, politics, and philosophy). My undergraduate GPA was a 3.93/4.00. I think generalists often find it easier to enter different academic fields—partly because they approach research and problem solving in interesting ways. The critical thinking skills that a philosophy background offers, combined with a graduate degree in public policy, prepared me for rigorous coursework in the Faculty of Law.

After graduating from TCNJ, I earned a Macmillan-St. Andrew’s Society Scholarship, which funded my MSc in Public Policy at the University of Edinburgh, where I graduated with distinction (71/70)—highest honors.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Institutions?

A few years before applying to Oxford and Cambridge, I reviewed everything I could find online—entry requirements, past students' backgrounds, faculty profiles, and anything else that helped me build pattern recognition for the kinds of applicants these programs admitted.

How Did You Prepare to Apply to Global Rotary Scholarships?

A year before I applied for the Global Rotary Scholarship, I contacted my regional rotary district’s scholarship chair (District 7475) through an online form. I was quickly offered a phone call, where I learned more about the scholarship application process. I was told I would need district approval before Rotary International could consider my application.

A few months later, I reached out again to confirm the specific requirements and drafted the one-page district application. I also contacted a former classmate and past awardee to better understand what the committee would be looking for. Based on that conversation, I created a short PowerPoint presentation, which I presented to the district scholarship committee.

Once I received the district’s support, they guided me through the remaining steps. I then submitted my application to Rotary International, which quickly approved the district’s nomination.

How Was Your Experience at the University of Oxford?

My experience at Oxford was wonderful. I made lifelong friends, learned so much, and had a full and enriching experience—playing collegiate sports, building a social venture, and attending countless university events.

It was amazing to participate in traditions that date back centuries—from matriculation to graduation—while living in one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

I frequently attended formal dinners, guest lectures, and Oxford Union debates, and spent nearly every day at the university gym. The novelty of wearing sub fusc to academic events never quite wore off.

Outside the classroom, my experience was just as valuable. The university provides generous support and resources. Thanks to supplemental scholarships from my college and the university, I was able to focus on academics and student life without needing part-time work.

How Do You Rate the University of Oxford Academically and Why?

Oxford is consistently ranked among the top global universities, and I found the coursework both fair and challenging.

Most learning takes place outside the classroom. Each week, our courses assigned around 300 pages of reading.

Class sizes were small—typically between 6 and 10 students—and most teaching followed the Socratic method. In the first two trimesters, I completed three essays per term, each ranging from 3,000 to 4,500 words, with tight deadlines and high standards for writing.

I also took a two-hour, in-person exam. No questions were provided in advance, and all course materials were fair game. We had to memorize the author and publication year of any paper we cited, so it was essential to have a flexible, well-rehearsed list of at least a hundred papers.

Finally, we had eight weeks to submit a 15,000-word dissertation.

I graduated with distinction. With the right planning and balance, it’s possible to do well academically, pursue side projects, stay healthy, and remain actively involved in student life.

How Does the University of Oxford Support International Students?

At Oxford, every student is a member of both a college and the university—just like you can be a resident of both New Jersey and the United States. Most student support comes through each respective college.

My college, St. Cross, hosted events and community meals that made international students feel welcome. The staff were warm, responsive, and incredibly helpful with things like housing, visas, and post-graduation plans.

What Do You Think Made Your Application Stand Out?

The same things that helped my scholarship application stand out were core to my admissions success.
At the most basic level, I think being able to tell a coherent story—how my background, interests, and experiences led me to apply—helped me get full consideration.

Admissions and scholarship committees think in terms of “signals.” Selective scholarships, internships, and academic performance can all differentiate a candidate. Smaller scholarships stack. And for students like me, from non-Ivy backgrounds, they help show credibility in competitive pools.

Finally, I’ve always followed my interests. Many believe their school, internships, or research must align perfectly with near-term goals. But often, it’s the outliers—those who take non-traditional paths—who stand out. I tried to get close to real-world problems and explore ideas that genuinely interested me.

What Would You Do Differently If You Were Applying Again?

I would have spoken with a past scholarship winner much earlier. That conversation clarified what the committee was actually looking for and helped me refine my approach.

What Advice Would You Give to Others?

Here are five quick tips:

1. Start exploring global scholarships early.
2. Use LinkedIn to find non-public information that gives you a competitive advantage.
3. Build a clear narrative that explains why you're applying for a specific scholarship.
4. Make sure your materials are free of glaring errors.
5. Prepare to present or answer questions—it’s easier now with Zoom!