@thelegitbrian i didn’t make semi-finalist, and I had a 4.0 and 1420 SAT. I’m non-traditional and didn’t graduate high school. I agree with some of what others have said. I think test scores and GPA mean very little. A large portion of applicants probably have 3.7 GPA’s and above. This scholarship is very different from traditional college admissions. I don’t believe a 3.7 is viewed much differently than a 4.0, for example. This might not be the case if you’re a high school senior applying to selective schools, but this scholarship is completely different than that. I think that personal circumstances and your story are the most important factors. Then it comes down to things like involvement on campus, EC’s, and community service. Lastly, I’d say that hooks are also a factor.
I think GPA is really just a qualifier. Once you have solid grades, they take a backseat to everything else. Remember, this isn’t a school application. You aren’t applying to something where they’re asking the question “will this person succeed at institution xyz.”
Thanks for the Ted talk @Transfersssss I really needed that understanding and advice. I am sorry that you didnt make semifinalist but from this, I am sure you will do amazing things.
I didn’t have a stellar high school record because of reasons beyond my control, and I took the SAT while in community college but didn’t submit it to JKCF.
Last year I applied and made it only as a semifinalist. I never received the email or interview email. I relied last year on just adding things to my resume, and I think that’s what failed me.
My second time applying for JKCF wasn’t planned because I stayed an extra year for new personal reasons. I was gonna go to Berkeley but I didn’t feel ready to leave my family at a crucial time.
During this extra school year of mine, I began to do much more meaningful work and spent about a year on deep self-reflection, thinking about my life and what is most important to me. My application this second time was very different compared to my first one, and this second time I finally got the second email.
It means a lot to me that I’ve gotten this far with JKCF because I was truly genuine this time, and JKCF has seemed to accept that. Even if I don’t win, I really see how important it is for potential JKCF transfer scholars to really be genuine and care about the world.
Hi all! Semifinalist here, but I didn’t get a request for additional info 
For all of you that did, that’s really awesome! Best of luck!!
Do you guys think I should reach out to the foundation and update them on extracurricular activities that might boost my chances? A lot of my application talked about wanting to work for NASA and solve global issues, and I actually just started an internship at NASA where I’m doing just that. Also, I recently won first place at a hackathon. Do you guys think it would boost my chances if I reached out? Also, how would y’all suggest going about it; would I just send an update email?
I contacted the JCKF the day after my application was in with some information and they said nothing could be added or considered on the application after the submission deadline.
Honestly though with a resume like that you probably didn’t get a follow up email because they already decided to give it to you!
@kb199977 I GOT THE FOLLOW UP EMAIL!!! I called my school’s IT department and they released it to my inbox after a “quarantine!!!”
@iggywiggly OMG NO WAY, YESSS IM SO HAPPY
@iggywiggly heyy im really happy for you!!! can you please tell us like why did you call the IT department? you didn’t find the email in ur spam or trash so you called them and they released it for you or what?
@tahiatounes thank you! I didn’t get the semifinalist e-mail a couple weeks ago, but I was published on the website as a semifinalist.
So, after confirming with the JKCF that I was indeed sent the semifinalist e-mail, I called my school’s IT department. They have a separate quarantine folder where it doesn’t even get delivered to my spam; it’s invisible to me. Things that are put in there have to be released by IT, otherwise I never get them.
I thought I had the issue resolved, but I had the same issue with the second email.
@iggywiggly Got it, this is amazing I’m really happy for you!! I wish the same thing could be for me but I already received the semi-finalist email and someone in my community college received the follow up email so there’s no quarantine for me I guess lol
@tahiatounes don’t let it bring you down! It’s true that some people who didn’t receive the e-mail last year wound up being selected after all, despite the odds.
I can tell you, from my experience the past several days thinking I hadn’t gotten the e-mail, is that it means nothing to your worth. If you have the skills and talent to get this far, you will take them with you regardless of this scholarship. Move on in your own time and give yourself nothing but kind words and self-love.
I also can’t stress enough to all those who did not receive a second e-mail that your chances are not over. In past years, people have been selected without the e-mail or interview! Each year, the selection process also seems to vary. Until April NONE of us will know.
My best advice to EVERYONE stressing about the what-ifs is to move on as if you haven’t received the scholarship so that if you do, it will be a pleasant surprise. Good luck all!
@spicymustard Awwh dang!!! Thanks for letting me know! And honestly, I highly doubt it haha, everyone here is so amazing. Best of luck to you!
For everyone who has gotten the e-mail requesting more information, have you gotten into any schools yet?
I’ve gotten into a couple safety schools, but I haven’t heard from my top pics yet. Do you think not having those letters yet will hurt me?
@iggywiggly nope, that’s not gonna hurt you at all. I haven’t received any acceptances yet. They just wanna know if u have any. You’re good!!!
@kb199977 Ok, thank you.
Everyone, I’ve also made a private Facebook group for anyone looking to chat on a more personal / different forum. They had one last year and it seemed to be pretty active. This year’s group is named Jack Kent Cooke 2020 Undergraduate Transfer Scholarship Semifinalists. I think it would be a great way to build an even stronger community. If you’re a semifinalist, just ask to join and I’ll add you!
Hi everyone, I hope y’all have been well. How are your new semesters going? I just started mine on Monday and I really love my new schedule. Im sad that it’s technically our last semester as CC students.
Wish this thread would get going I wanna get to know y’all more !
So what schools are y’all applying to?
I already got into my safety school, but I’m going to apply to NYU, UPenn, and Princeton. My top choice would be NYU or Penn. I want to be in the city. What about you guys?
I’m applying to a plethora of schools lol. I keep adding schools to my list because I realized applications are free with the fee waiver. Applied to Stanford, Northwestern, Princeton, Cornell, USC, Emory, Vandy, Brown, Duke. Top choice is Duke, Stanford or USC.
Recently got into UNC Chapel Hill, so I am pretty happy if I end up going there because let’s be realistic, gotta pull a miracle for these colleges.
I’m also applying everywhere because of the fee waiver! I figure why not diversify my chances. I’m hoping for Smith to accept me to the Ada Comstock Program since it’s my first choice. Also applied to Yale’s Eli Whitney program. Waiting on Vanderbilt, Cornell, Brown, Boston College, and a few others.
Has anyone applied to either Eli Whitney or Ada Comstock? It would be nice to share the process with others ?