Applying to The Coca-Cola Scholarship
So you want to be a Coca-Cola Scholar?
Like any other scholarship the application process is unique to the scholarship yet end up with the same essay questions at their core. Yes, the questions are reworded, and on the surface are different, but the key is to know the process in order to make sure you are showing the best you!
Eligibility
- Current high school (or home-schooled) seniors attending school in the United States (or select DoD schools);
- U.S. Citizens; U.S. Nationals; U.S. Permanent Residents; Refugees; Asylees; Cuban-Haitian Entrants; or Humanitarian Parolees;
- Anticipating completion of high school diploma at the time of application;
- Planning to pursue a degree at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution;
- Carrying a minimum 3.00 GPA at the end of their junior year of high school.
Applicants may not:
- Be children or grandchildren of employees, officers or owners of Coca-Cola bottling companies, The Coca-Cola Company, Company divisions or subsidiaries.
The Process
Apply Online by October 31, 2015 : Submit online application (Round 1)
This is the online application, where you quickly fill out contact information in which the committee can reach you in mid-November. Now I say quickly because what YOU NEED to focus on is the EXTRACURRICULAR PORTION of the application. The Coca-Cola Foundation stands for one thing: student involvement in giving back to their community. That means input all of your extracurricular activities within and outside of school. The more, THE BETTER. Also list all of your community service you have ever done.
TIP 1:
SUBMIT BY October 30, 2015, why? Like any other online application the server WILL crash. Please do not be left out of this great opportunity!
TIP 2:
DO NOT GENERALIZE your community service- be specific as it shows how committed you are and list all that comes to mind.
For example:
Change it something like this;
Why is this a tip? This will be the only part of the online application besides your basic information that the committee will have to “select” you from all of the applicants. While they also take into consideration your grades, honors/awards, employment, etc., the scholarship is really focused towards community service and student involvement- make yourself stand out!
TIP 3:
PRINT a copy of this activity/community service list! You’ll need it when you start doing the additional material essays.
Semifinalist selection
Round 2 (2,200 semifinalists by mid-November)
You have been selected as one of the 2,200 students to be semifinalist, CONGRATULATIONS! Now comes the heavy load of the scholarships actual application, this is what they call
“Additional Material” which consists of transcripts, biographical questions, essays, and recommendations due by late December.
TIP 1:
GET THE EASY DONE. There are many documents they will ask for, and you already know that the essays will be the most time consuming. Get the easy things out of the way first such as ask for official transcripts and recommendations. They will need at least 2 recommendations- be prepared, and let your recommender how important this is. Always ask “Can you write me a strong positive recommendation?” And always ask early.
TIP 2:
USE SCHOLARSHIP JUNKIES! The essays you write SHOULD be revised, your teachers will probably help with grammar but send it to Scholarship Junkies where you will be helped by our student editors who are passionate on making your application strong, but also you have the opportunity to work with past scholars. We will provide free one-on-one essay feedback, revision and editing, through our online portal, all within 72hrs.
TIP 3:
SUBMIT EARLY.. why? Like any other online application the server WILL crash. Please do not be left out of this great opportunity!
OTHER STEPS (DON’T require essays)
- Program Review Committee starts looking over applications by early January
- 250 Regional Finalists Selection selected by late January
- Regional Interviews — early February in person/video conference
IF you need help preparing feel free to email me: secrets@scholarshipjunkies.com, and we can send along some potential questions and help you practice. - Scholar Selection: 150 Finalists= Coca-Cola Scholar = $20,000
- Scholars weekend: Atlanta
About the author: Jennifer Murillo is a 2011 Coca-Cola scholar, and a member of the Scholarship Junkies Corps. From presentations to editing essays, Jennifer has had a hand in helping hundreds of students as a part of our growing organization.
