She has also been on the equestrian team, vice president of public relations for Delta Delta Delta sorority, and an executive member of the Student Athletic Advisory Board. All of these, in conjunction with a GPA of roughly 3.5, helped to qualify Pillsbury for one of the most prestigious awards given to American students, a Rhodes Scholarship. Even though Pillsbury did not win a scholarship, she was a strong enough applicant to progress to the second of three rounds of selection. The Rhodes Scholarship is given to 32 students or graduates nationwide each year. It provides for study at Oxford University in England for two to four years.
Students can gain their master's or Ph.D., or acquire another bachelor's degree.
She had to fill out a lengthy application, make a descriptive list of all her activities, write an essay, and gather eight letters of recommendation. Although Pillsbury was excited about the prospect of winning, she realized that the competition was stiff. She was one of eight students selected to interview for New Hampshire, and the winner went on to the final round of competition. Even though Pillsbury was not selected to represent New Hampshire, she feels that all her work was still worth it. Pillsbury, a government major who has also participated in St. Lawrence University's pre-management program, learned a lot about Oxford University as well.