Cooke Young Scholars Program vs Coca-Cola Scholars Program
Comparing two highly competitive interdisciplinary opportunities. Both are scholarships for high school students.
| Cooke Young Scholars Program | Coca-Cola Scholars Program | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 1 — Elite |
| Type | Scholarship | Scholarship |
| Organization | Jack Kent Cooke Foundation | Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation |
| Acceptance Rate | Highly competitive; specific acceptance rate not publicly stated, but highly selective. In 2025, 65 new scholars were selected nationally. | Approximately 0.15% (150 winners ÷ estimated 100,000+ applicants). Phase 1 to Phase 2 advancement: ~1% (about 1,200 semifinalists from estimated 100,000-120,000 Phase 1 applicants). Phase 2 to Phase 3: ~20.8% (250 regional finalists from ~1,200 semifinalists). Phase 3 to Phase 4: 60% (150 winners from 250 regional finalists). |
| Applicants | Not publicly disclosed, but given 65 winners and highly selective nature, estimated to be in thousands nationally | Estimated 100,000-120,000 annually based on ~1% semifinalist advancement rate yielding ~1,200 semifinalists. Exact figures not publicly disclosed by foundation. |
| Deadline | — | 2026-09-30 |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | Yes | Yes |
| Grades | Currently in 7th grade and/or entering 8th grade in fall 2027 (timing varies by application cycle) | High school seniors only (must graduate during the application year) |
| College Impact | The Cooke Young Scholars Program is highly regarded in college admissions. Being a Cooke Scholar signals to admissions officers that a student was identified as 'exceptionally promising' by a national... | Coca-Cola Scholars Program is highly respected by college admissions officers as a tier-1 prestigious scholarship. Being selected as a Coke Scholar significantly strengthens college applications becau... |