Cooke Young Scholars Program vs Ron Brown Scholar Program
Comparing two highly competitive interdisciplinary opportunities. Both are scholarships for high school students.
| Cooke Young Scholars Program | Ron Brown Scholar Program | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive |
| Type | Scholarship | Scholarship |
| Organization | Jack Kent Cooke Foundation | Ron Brown Scholar Program |
| Acceptance Rate | Highly competitive; specific acceptance rate not publicly stated, but highly selective. In 2025, 65 new scholars were selected nationally. | Estimated 5-10% (highly competitive; exact data not publicly available online) |
| Applicants | Not publicly disclosed, but given 65 winners and highly selective nature, estimated to be in thousands nationally | Likely 500-2000+ annually (estimate based on prestige tier and award amount) |
| Deadline | — | Rolling |
| Award | — | $40,000 |
| 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 |
| 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... | The Ron Brown Scholar Program is highly respected by college admissions officers as a prestigious national scholarship. Winning this award significantly strengthens a college application and demonstra... |