|
Okay, I'm not going to list my stats in the general way, but I hope this post gives you a little bit of insights to what types of students win this scholarship. First of all, keep in mind that this is a an extremely hard scholarship to win. Last year 76000 applicants originally applied. In the end, there were 250 finalists. This is a finalist rate of just over 0.3%, a much lower rate than the acceptance of any college. So first off, do not be disappointed if you do not win, or even become a semifinalist (about 2.7% chance). This year, slightly less student applied so the final finalist rate may inch towards .4% : )
Okay, so the type of people who win this scholarship are really well-rounded students (high GPA, involved in many activities, leadership, difficult classes, ACT and SAT eventually don't matter, but because of correlation, the average is pretty high). Ultimately, this stuff will push you to be a semifinalist. Then, the committee has a pool of absolutely outstanding applicants who excel in everything they do. To become a finalist, you have to have done something special, unique, or absolutely amazing. Many students are the at the very top of what they do, nationally ranked, or run a non-profit organization. Not all though... some are genuinely well-rounded students who just make their community a better place. Most Coca Cola Scholars will then make their way off to the Ivy League, MIT or Stanford. Some, but not many go to other colleges.
The Coca Cola Scholarship is one of the few national scholarships that is completely merit based... therefore students have amazing stats. Myself, I was very well-rounded in numerous activities with several leadership positions, I played a varsity sport, and was very involved in my community. I was also nationally ranked in one of my extracurriculars. I also had very good grades. I don't even think the SAT or Act is reported on the semifinalist application so that eventually doesn't matter and if it does play a role in the preliminary application, it is very small. Why? You don't have to have a high SAT score to make a difference in your community.
| 
