Along with Laurel Gabler ‘06 and Aaron Polhamus ‘08, Scott Thompson ‘06 will be heading to Oxford University this fall with the 29 other Americans who were awarded 2008 Rhodes Scholarships in November 2007.

Thompson, who earned bachelor’s degrees in Psychology — with honors — and Political Science while at Stanford, intends to pursue a master’s degree in social work and social policy while at Oxford. He is currently working for Teach for America, teaching high school students in New York City.

The Daily spoke with Thompson about the Rhodes application process, his favorite thing about Stanford and his addiction to jelly beans.

The Stanford Daily (TSD): How does it feel to be a Rhodes Scholar?

Scott Thompson (ST): Sounds as though I just won the Super Bowl or something. I was very surprised when they read the names off. I am very excited [and] looking ahead to two years at Oxford. Everything I have heard about Oxford [describes] this incredible intellectual community.

TSD: What was the application process like?

ST: It was somewhat stressful. You have to invest a lot of yourself in it if you are going to be able to put [in] enough effort to really have a chance of success. But that also sets you up for a lot of disappointments if it doesn’t work out. I was very fortunate that things worked out as they did.

TSD: What influenced you to apply?

ST: To be honest, it wouldn’t have occurred to me if Teach for America hadn’t approached me about it. I was interested in [applying] for graduate school. [Applying to be a Rhodes Scholar] wasn’t ... really on my radar until Teach for America came up with the idea.

TSD: What is the best thing about Stanford?

ST: That’s an impossible question! I have got to go with the people. The campus is beautiful of course, but I think the people are the most remarkable thing about my Stanford experience, both the professors and the students. I had a chance to meet and build relationship with a lot amazing professors. My Psychology adviser Hazel Markus [and] my Political Science Professor Gerhard Casper ... are just [a] few of the people that I got to know well.

TSD: What was your favorite class?

ST: That’s another impossible question! I don’t know that I can identify a favorite class. One class that got me started down the path that that I have pursued was IHUM Class-Citizenship, taught by Professor Casper. My Sophomore College program in Constitutionalism, which he also taught, was remarkable and guided me towards law school, which I think I will eventually pursue. I had a lot of chances to take a lot of classes outside my majors and the freedom to do that. I took an amazing class on Greek history, a class on studies in Christianity in late antiquity, a class on the Book of Genesis [and] a class on Shakespeare.

TSD: What is working for Teach for America like?

ST: It is important to know that I teach in New York public schools. Teaching in [New York City is] quite an experience. And by far the most challenging [thing] that I have ever done. It is also wonderful to be doing something that I know has a positive effect ... on one of the most serious issues facing our country today: the achievement gap between disadvantaged students and their more advantaged peers. And it’s just a lot of fun.

TSD: What do you think about the choice facing graduating seniors between going into public service or the private sector?

ST: I think people need to find something that is fulfilling for them. And people are fulfilled by a variety of things. I was concerned that Teach for America would not perhaps provide me with a very clear sense of what I want to do afterwards. But I really found it has very much given me a better sense of what I care about, what I am interested in and what I am passionate about. I don’t think something like Teach for America is for everybody. You need to be doing it because you are sincerely interested and care about these issues and I think there are variety of ways you can apply the skills that will help you to be successful down the road.

TSD: Any advice you would give to Stanford students now that you have graduated?

ST: Certainly [take] advantage of all the opportunities at your disposal. Explore as many things as possible — and that takes the form of taking classes in other departments that you might not be majoring in. [Get] involved in as many internships and extra-curricular activities as you can. [My] biggest regret from my undergraduate career was not going abroad. I spent a semester in Washington, which was great. But I wished I had gone ahead and gone abroad.

TSD: Any advice you would give to Stanford students applying to international fellowships?

ST: This is advice that I read and heard many times: [start] working on it early and get advice and feedback from as many people as possible. In terms of selecting a program and a place to study, getting in touch with as many people as possible who had personal experience with it was incredibly helpful [for me.]

TSD: So, you are addicted to Jelly Bellies?

ST: You read my Facebook profile as well? I haven’t changed that since I was in college. My sophomore year in Durand, our house manager bought four pound jars of Jelly Bellies from Costco ... My students still make fun of me for how much candy I eat. I don’t claim to be a good role model in that regard. It started in Durand with eating pounds of jelly bellies at a time. I think they [have] remarkable flavors. They all taste really realistic and you never get tired of them.