<p>Get on with it!
[url=<a href=“http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KexudBb_oc]YouTube”>- YouTube]YouTube</a> - Monty Python Holy Grail Missing Scene “Get on with it”<a href=“I%20think%20it%20is%20appropriate%20if%20you%20think%20of%20the%20letter%20as%20the%20grail!”>/url</a></p>
<p>Hi all, I have been following this thread for weeks, but didn’t think I had ANY chance to becoming a finalist. My test scores are lower than anyone who has posted, I do have a great GPA and I’m involved in a LOT: Three varsity sports, 3 4H groups, lots of school clubs, NHS, and have started my own small (very small) business with a community service focus. I’m applying to state schools only. Yet, the envelope came today and I’m a finalist! I’m from an island in Washington State and wasn’t expecting my letter in the mail today! I look forward to meeting all of you in Atlanta! </p>
<p>I posted about my lower test scores, etc., because I don’t want future applicants to be discouraged from applying. Believe in yourself and all that you have accomplished! :)</p>
<p>who’s that Po?</p>
<p>@jashton: tkahre</p>
<p>And you could find out my name.
And it isn’t Po btw. I just had to have an extra letter. Try Pete. :)</p>
<p>WOW! congrats! all the way in washington State and nothing in states closer…go figure.</p>
<p>I think they may have sent out finalist letters first…hate to say it, but that’s all we’ve seen so far…</p>
<p>and congrats to all of you …what an amazing opportunity for all of you…I’m extremely jealous!!</p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>Wrong person…
SayTrueWords</p>
<p>Takre is also from Oklahoma though</p>
<p>wait so do finalist announcements get mentioned through email or post mail?</p>
<p>I am writing for my daughter. She got the mail today and she is a finalist. She goes to Sahuarita High School, Arizona, just South of Tucson.</p>
<p>Congrats to all who have been named finalists! Is it just me, or does it seem that maybe they mailed the finalists letters first class, and mailed rejections a different way. Since there has not been one rejection, I am beginning to think this may be the case, although I certainly hope not. If you live far from Atlanta, I don’t think it is anything to worry about. But many people have now received in many states. I certainly hope I am wrong though.</p>
<p>Another curiosity question to the three of you who have been encouraged today - are you all by chance minority students?</p>
<p>Last year someone I know seemed a stellar choice. He showed so many hours of community service, National Merit, etc. He had an awesome platform for esp. one of his service projects. He was an Eagle Scout. In the end, this scholarship was not for him but he did garner the AXA Scholarship. His mom said she had heard that minority status did help. Also, when looking at past “annual report” statements for the program (which are posted online) they do show a minimum of 50% minority students in their program.</p>
<p>I’m sure Coca-Cola, being an internationally diverse company, is choosing well and their finalists are a representation of their company demographics.</p>
<p>Ouch. At this point I have basically come to assume that the accepted students were received today. Maybe a glimmer of hope for a couple to receive tomorrow, but I guess we’ll all definitely know by Friday.</p>
<p>I think you are right @dumbo. I think the acceptance letters must have gotten mailed out first, otherwise I think others would be coming on to tell us they did not make it to finalist stage…</p>
<p>Oh well…no second guessing. we all did the best we could. There is always the ‘best of the best’ and that is surely what coca cola has chosen to honor with this opportunity.</p>
<p>@stereo , don’t you think there would have been more than 5 who were accepted though and came on here to tell us? It seems to sporadic to me…will still be saying my prayers tonight!</p>
<p>@jashton, I don’t know I guess! I’m just trying to lower my hopes (not that they were all that high in the first place) I just hate waiting for all of these things and can’t help feeling like when it comes to national scholarships that I’m a good candidate, but I’ll never quite make the cut. In reality, same thing with regional too. asioun09inapoidg;alg. Haha, but we should all still have some hope!</p>
<p>In answer to the question regarding minority status…
No, I am not a minority. </p>
<p>Regarding the mail…
With all of the blizzards throughout the Midwest, I would not give up hope. If you do not end up receiving the scholarship, remember that you were still one of the 3% of semi-finalists!</p>
<p>I am from NC and got my finalist letter today!! I am truly honored that I would even be considered for this and never even thought it could happen to me. I only have a 2020 SAT, but a 4.65 GPA; that at least says they’re not too strict about standardized testing. My catch was that I won a grant from The Pepsi (ironic) Refresh Project to start an anti-violence in my high crime community and created a scholarship fund with money that was raised for students who had overcome severe adversity to pursue postsecondary education. I am also the President of four organizations, have several awards for writing, and write for the local newspaper. I think my ECs and essays about equality and ambition are what resulted in my success. Good luck to everyone who is still waiting, you all sound like amazing competitors and I’m sure the acceptance percentages will be favorable!</p>
<p>Anybody else on here regret not getting more involved earlier in high school? I would have slapped myself freshman and sophomore year if I could have. If it wasn’t for my freshman year I probably would be in the top 3% of my class instead of the top 6%. Not to mention, I could have had so much more time to run a large scale service project. I’ve been working on a large-scale shoe drive with a friend to benefit soles4souls, but I just wish I could have had more years to get more out of the experience. Then again, between plays and choirs, I don’t know that I had enough time to do something too huge?</p>
<p>@adhalbert Congrats! That sounds well deserved. </p>
<p>I’m also from NC, but no mail so I’m guessing I didn’t make the cut. Oh, well. Nothing to be ashamed of. :]</p>
<p>You’re so right @steeple…it is an honor to be a semifinalist…however, unfortunately it doesn’t allow me to move forward and go to college . The sentiment is truly an honor though…</p>
<p>congrats to you and to adhalbert too!</p>
<p><a href=“mailto:...@stereo…I”>…@stereo…I</a> couldn’t have been more involved during all 4 years…I barely had time to eat and sleep! wouldn’t have changed a thing though…I love what I do and who I"m able to share my music with</p>
<p>oh hey, you guys can check me out at youtube: Jordan Ashton I’m singing and playing guitar…would love some feedback!</p>
<p>Did anyone from California get it because it seems as though erryone is from the east coast or Arizona who has gotten a response.</p>
<p>@jashton, what you just said is exactly how I feel! It’s like coming in second which is great! but when you come in second in a scholarship you don’t neccessarilly get a silver medal, haha.</p>