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How to Win a Coca Cola Scholarship

Financial Aid

If you're looking into scholarship programs to help pay for your college education, the famous Coca-Cola scholarships are a good place to start. Why are they famous? Well, the Coca-Cola foundation offers some of the most generous awards out there to graduating high school seniors. They tend to be very competitive, so if you want a shot at the scholarship, you should learn as much about them as you possibly can.

In this post, I'll talk about some of the logistical concerns you might have about the scholarship— things like deadlines and eligibility requirements. But more importantly, I'll also offer helpful tips and strategies to give your application the boost it needs. Read on to optimize your chances of winning one of these competitive scholarships!

What Is the Coca-Cola Scholarship?

There are a few different types of Coca-Cola scholarships, but the one you'll likely be most interested in is called the Coca-Cola Scholars Scholarship . This scholarship is a merit-based award given to graduating high school seniors who are enrolling in college.

Each year since 1989, 150 high school seniors per year have received $20,000 through this award program. If you've looked into other scholarship programs, you might recognize that the Coca-Cola Scholars award amount is pretty generous. $20,000 can cover a significant portion of your cost of attendance!

As you might expect, the scholarship is pretty competitive: the top five colleges that scholarship recipients attend are Harvard, Stanford, Duke, Yale, and Princeton . Applicants are evaluated on leadership, academics, and service. Many scholarship recipients also demonstrate a passion for social justice.

How Do You Know If You're Eligible?

In order to qualify for the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarship, you must meet all of the following requirements :

• Be a current high school senior attending school in the US
• Be a US citizen, national, permanent resident, refugee, asylee, Cuban-Haitian entrant, or humanitarian parolee
• Anticipate receiving your high school diploma during the current academic year
• Plan on attending an accredited US post-secondary institution (two- or four-year college)
• Able to show proof of a minimum overall B/3.0 GPA in high school courses
• Cannot be a child/grandchild of any employee, officer, or owner of Coca-Cola bottling companies, the Coca-Cola company, Company divisions or subsidiaries

If you meet all of the above criteria, you're on the right track to submitting a successful Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation Scholarship application.

What Information Do You Need to Apply?

The next step to submitting a successful application would be to gather all necessary materials and information ahead of time. You'll need all of the following to complete an application :

• Your high school transcript and academic record —You'll need this to report courses and grades starting with your freshman year.
• Contact information —You will need to provide the names, emails, and phone numbers of your guidance counselor and principal.
• School activities: student council, class officer, academic/honor societies, school newspaper or literary magazine, school yearbook
• Performing arts: drama, theater, dance
• Speech, debate, or forensics
• Music: band, orchestra, vocal
• Visual arts
• Other: any school-related clubs, organizations, or intramurals
• List of honors and awards —You'll have to list any accolades you've received while participating in any clubs or organizations, and the level of each award (local, state, regional, or national) since your freshman year.
• List of volunteer activities —You'll be asked about all of your unpaid community service activities for each grade in high school. Be prepared to provide the number of hours you spent in each activity in addition to any honors or awards you received for your participation.
• List of paid work experiences —If you have an updated resume, you're already set! Be prepared to provide the number of weeks employed, average number of hours worked per week during the school year, and average number of hours worked during the summer for each job.

Because this isn't a need-based scholarship, y ou won't have to worry about submitting any financial information . You also don't need to worry about reporting any standardized test scores!

How Do You Submit a Coca-Cola Scholarship Application?

You have nothing to lose by submitting an application. Even if you're worried you won't receive an award because the scholarship is so competitive, think about how a few hours of your time could lead to a $20,000 scholarship. It's a no-brainer!

The application window typically opens in early August and closes in late October. This year's application period is from August 1, 2022, to October 31, 2022.

Click through to find the appropriate link to the scholarship here . You can also check out a full sample application before submitting your own app.

You'll have a lot more fun this upcoming Halloween if you submit your application in advance of the deadline.

When Do You Find Out Whether You've Been Selected?

There are several stages to the scholarship recipient selection process. First, about 2,000 semi-finalists will be selected by mid-November. If you make it to this stage, you'll be asked to submit additional scholarship materials by late December. These materials will include essays, a recommendation, and a current high school transcript.

A program committee then reviews semi-finalist applications in January to narrow it down to 250 regional finalists by the end of the month. Regional finalist interviews (over the phone or via Skype) take place in February.

The scholarship winners are finally selected and notified after regional interviews . Scholarship recipients are invited to participate in a Scholars Weekend in Atlanta at the end of March or early April.

How Can You Use the Scholarship Funds?

If you win a Coca-Cola Scholars Scholarship, you can use it for any school-related expenses, including tuition, on-campus housing, books, fees, or even a computer .

The scholarship is pretty flexible. You have between four and 10 years to use the full award amount and can choose to defer the award anytime within that 10-year time frame (like if you want to take a gap year or study abroad).

Strategies: How to Increase Your Chances of Winning a Coca-Cola Scholars Scholarship

According to the Coca-Cola Scholars program , scholarship recipients are strong leaders who are committed to "making a significant impact on their schools and communities."

The most successful applications will embody the values that the Coca-Cola Scholars program prioritizes: leadership, service, and community commitment. Ultimately, scholarship awards are investments not only in a particular student but also in that student's community.

Scholarships will have the greatest impact when they're awarded to students who are invested in "paying it forward," or giving back to others . Corporate scholarships assume that the most successful students and professionals will demonstrate very strong leadership skills and academic potential.

The following strategies will help you highlight the qualities that make you most attractive to the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

If You're a Younger High School Student ...

Demonstrate academic excellence.

You probably noticed earlier in this post that Coca-Cola scholarship winners tend to be going to some pretty great schools. Corporate scholarship programs like this one want to invest in students who show the most promise and potential.

One way you can demonstrate your own potential is to earn exceptional grades — this will obviously serve you well when it comes to applying to colleges and other scholarship programs.

In addition, take AP or advanced classes if they're offered . You'll be a more impressive applicant if your academic record shows a more rigorous course load. Unfortunately, the more challenging the courses, the more difficulty you may have in school. While this is okay (your grades don't have to be perfect!), make sure to seek out extra help in weaker subject areas . Meet with your teachers or tutors to stay on top of your game.

Develop Leadership Skills

Leadership roles will help you stand out, in a good way.

As with academic performance, leadership skills development indicates that you're likely to be successful as a student and as a professional. If you actively seek out leadership roles, this will demonstrate to the Coca-Cola Scholarship Program that you're proactive and take initiative.

Commit to clubs, groups, or activities early on that align well with your interests and passions . It's generally better to be heavily invested in a few activities. If you make too many commitments, the caliber of your participation (and the opportunities for future leadership roles) will suffer. Focus on quality over quantity .

Here's an example of what I mean: as a kid, I attended one particular camp every summer. It was something I really enjoyed, and it was great to go back year after year. When I aged out of the camp, I was given the opportunity to participate in the program as a camp counselor— I got to continue doing something I loved because I had shown that I was committed to it long-term, and I was "promoted" to a new and exciting leadership position . I likely wouldn't have gotten the position of camp counselor so easily if I hadn't already spent years at the camp.

You can also demonstrate leadership and initiative in more creative ways. For example:

• Spend more time in your community service activities than is required of you. The scholarship evaluators will know if you need to volunteer a minimum number of hours to graduate, and they won't be impressed if you barely meet that minimum. Going above and beyond any required minimums demonstrates true initiative and a strong commitment to your community (qualities that will make you really stand out as an applicant).
• Actively seek out awards and honors, especially for your community service activities. You'll have to provide a list of accolades and honors for your scholarship application—if you're already dedicated to service, it's worth your time to seek out opportunities for acknowledgment. Check with your school guidance counselor or do a Google search for awards in your area.

If You're Ready to Apply for the Coca-Cola Scholars Scholarship ...

Keep coca-cola scholars values in mind as you fill out your application.

Remember that successful applicants are students who not only excel academically but are also involved in their school communities. Through participation in classes and extracurriculars, scholarship winners show that they are passionate and service-oriented .

Embrace the Lack of First-Round Essays

Unlike many scholarship applications, the Coca Cola Scholars application doesn’t require any essays in the first-round of the application process. Any application for which you don't have to write an essay must be an easy application, right? In reality, the Coca-Cola Scholarship application is trickier than most because it doesn't give you a chance to explain either your academic performance or your participation in extracurriculars.

Essentially, you can't talk about your passions, well-roundedness, intelligence, or commitment to service to make yourself stand out from the thousands of other first-round applicants. The only thing you can do is show—through your grades and your participation in various activities— how you embody the qualities that the Coca-Cola Scholarship values in its award recipients .

You'll notice on the sample application that questions about leadership roles come before any questions about your grades; clearly, they're a very important part of the application. Unfortunately, there's not much you can do to talk up your community commitments or leadership experiences if you don't have a well-developed resume; the application is pretty cut and dry.

Of course, if you make it to the second round of the application process, you’ll get to explain why you’re a great fit for a Coca Cola scholarship in some required essays. To stand out in the essay-free first round, though, make sure that your resume is comprehensive. Make a list of every single activity, event, club, and organization you've ever been a part of and consider whether you could count it as some sort of leadership or community service experience.

Scour your brain—don't leave anything out! Remember that camp I was discussing earlier? I didn't think to consider it as volunteer work or community service—I had done it for years and considered it a privilege to work as a counselor. Luckily, someone less naive than me hinted that I should include it on my resume under "Volunteer Experience."

Submit a Polished Finished Product

Have someone you trust—a teacher or guidance counselor, for example—look over your application before you submit it to make sure it's as polished as possible. Your reader might have suggestions on additional things you should include (or leave out).

What's Next?

On a mission to find other opportunities scholarship funding? You're in the right place! Check out our strategy guides to getting the Tylenol , Gates Millennium , Walmart, and McDonald's scholarships.

There are tons of scholarships out there! If you need help looking for more, take a look at our expert guide to finding scholarships for college. 

Want to improve your application strength for this scholarship and for college? You can raise your GPA , take a rigorous course load , and improve your SAT/ACT score .

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Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation: 2023-24 Guide to Essays and Short Responses

If you’re applying to the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation , you will need to pen three essays of 300 words each and three short responses of 50 words each. Read on to discover the prompts and our insider advice for writing responses that will differentiate you from similarly qualified applicants!

The following three questions are short responses to be answered in 50 words or fewer., what topic or issue would you want to learn more about or work on during a gap year between high school graduation and the start of college (50 words), coke scholars will be granted an extra hour in each day. what will you do with yours (50 words), you are teaching a college course – what is it called (50 words).

All three of these short-answer prompts lead to the same question: what inspires you? Which ideas, topics, activities, and values do you hold dear? The Foundation is giving you a chance to talk about not just your academic interests, but also your hobbies, passions, and motivations. Spend some time brainstorming about all the things you like or that pique your interest and jot them all down. Then, look for connections. Think about a gap year completely free of obligations. What projects would you pursue? What global, international, or personal issues would you explore? Maybe your grandparents immigrated from Peru, and you’d spend your year living and working on a farm there, exploring your interest in sustainable agriculture. Perhaps you’ve always wished you had time to learn the clarinet and would spend your extra hour each day practicing so you could play the Super Mario Bros. theme song. Maybe you’re a huge cinephile with an interest in social theory and would teach a course about the way class relations have been depicted in modern cinema. Each answer should be unique enough from the others so the panel gets to know as much as possible about you from one short answer to another. 

The following three questions are to be answered in 300 words or fewer. (Adapting submissions from other applications is allowed.)

Throughout high school, you have likely encountered obstacles, opportunities, or challenges that have helped you learn and grow. think in terms of skills honed, knowledge gained, values clarified, passions discovered, empathy developed, or perspectives explored. describe at least one of these instances, what you learned, and how it has affected your personal and professional goals. (you may write about more than one topic.) (300 words).

This prompt may look familiar, as it’s very similar to Prompt #2 of the Common App and you have, no doubt, seen similar supplemental essay prompts. If you’ve already written about this for college applications, congrats! All you need to do is trim your existing essay down to 300 words. If not, isolate a challenging incident in your life and illustrate how you learned from it. Writing about a difficult time in your life requires both vulnerability and perspective. Instead of focusing on the obstacle you were up against, spend most of the words at your disposal on how you rose to the occasion to overcome the challenge at hand. This is your opportunity to show the Foundation that you are a developing, resilient young adult. As you zero in on a key moment, ask yourself the following questions: What new perspectives, values, or communication skills did you develop? Who, if applicable, did you choose to lean on and why? What did you learn about yourself? How will you approach difficult situations moving forward? How did this event affect your vision of your own personal and professional future? Be honest and open, and we’re sure the Foundation will be impressed.

If you could participate in only one of the activities you have listed on this application, which one would you keep and why? (300 words)

Spotted in the wild: one of the most classic essay types out there, the Activity Essay . The hardest part here is picking what to write about, so look over your list of activities and jot down whatever comes to mind about each one. Why do you enjoy orchestra, coaching pee wee soccer, your food service job, or robotics club? Think about the skills you’re building, the leadership experiences, accolades received, and emotions each one brings up. Once you’ve finished brainstorming, pick the activity that appeals to both your heart and your mind: which one means the most to you and also would give you the most well-rounded experience all on its own? The key to this essay is vulnerability, so make sure you write honestly and authentically about why this activity speaks to you, what you glean from it, and what it contributes to your community.

Choose a community or network to which you belong and describe how you have contributed to shaping or improving it as well as how it has shaped you. (300 words)

This is a classic Community Essay , through and through. The Foundation wants to know what or who has made you into the person you are today and how you have impacted your community. First of all, let us remind you that your “community” can be just about anything, from your neighborhood to your family to your Taylor Swift fan club. What you address can be reflective of larger cultural constructs or a trait specific to your immediate family. Pick a community that means something to you and in which you’ve been very involved. How has this community helped form your identity? How has it influenced your vision of your own future? What have you done to better your community? Maybe you started cooking a weekly pancake breakfast for your younger siblings after your parents got divorced, which sparked your capstone research into food as a bonding agent. Perhaps members of your traveling baseball team lost funding and you organized a car wash to raise money so the whole team could compete in the playoffs. It might be tempting to pen a vivid description of your community and leave it at that, but the point of an essay like this is to tell a story about you and your contributions.

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Tags: Coca-Cola , Coca-Cola Essays , Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation , essay guide , Foundation essays

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, coca-cola scholars application process.

I recently found out about the Coca-Cola Scholars scholarship program, and I'm super interested! Can anyone who's been through the process shed some light on how to apply and what I should focus on to improve my chances of being selected?

Great that you're looking into the Coca-Cola Scholars program! It's a prestigious scholarship that awards $20,000 to 150 exceptional high school seniors each year. Here's an outline of the application process and some tips on how to strengthen your application:

1. Application: The application typically opens in August and closes in late October. You can apply online through the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation website. You'll need to create an account, provide some basic personal information, and answer questions about your academic and extracurricular achievements.

2. Focus on academics: Coca-Cola Scholars are selected based on their academic performance, so make sure to showcase your strong grades, challenging classes (like AP or IB), and any academic awards or honors you've received.

3. Emphasize leadership: The scholarship is also based on demonstrated leadership abilities. Be sure to highlight your significant leadership experiences, whether it's serving as a club president, team captain, or organizing a community project. Remember, quality is more important than quantity, so focus on a few activities where you've shown genuine commitment and impact.

4. Community involvement: Coca-Cola Scholars are known for their commitment to making a difference in their communities. Include any volunteer work, community service, or civic engagement activities you've participated in. Showing a long-term commitment to a cause or organization can make your application stand out.

5. Stand-out essays: The application requires personal statements or essays. This is your chance to share your unique story, aspirations, and what makes you an ideal candidate for the scholarship. Avoid cliché topics and focus on writing a genuine, personal essay that demonstrates your values and motivation for making a positive impact.

6. Semifinalist stage: If you're selected as a semifinalist, you'll need to provide additional information, including an activities summary, essays, recommendations, and a transcript. This stage is crucial to advancing, so be prepared to gather all the necessary documentation and submit a polished application.

7. Interview: Finalists will be invited to participate in regional interviews held in January or February. This is an opportunity for you to further demonstrate your passion for leadership and community service. Make sure to practice so you can articulate your achievements and future plans confidently.

For more information on the scholarship click here: https://www.coca-colascholarsfoundation.org

In summary, focus on showcasing your strong academic performance, leadership experiences, community involvement, and authentic personal stories. Start preparing early and make sure to submit a polished application on time. Best of luck in your application process!

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How to Win the Coca-Cola Scholarship as a High Schooler - A Guide

Who doesn’t want extra scholarship funding for college?

With rising tuition costs, unpredictable financial aid awards, and few merit-based scholarships offered at top universities, affording college is increasingly stressful for incoming students. Looking for external scholarships can be difficult, as is figuring out if you’re a strong candidate for the options out there. In this article, we’ll break down one of the most competitive — and most rewarding — merit-based scholarships: the Coca-Cola Scholars program. Offering significant financial awards and long-term connections and mentorship for scholarship recipients, high-achieving high school seniors should consider applying for this prestigious award.

Let’s look at the details of the scholarship so that you can decide whether applying is the right choice for you.

What is the Coca-Cola Scholarship?

The Coca-Cola Scholars program is a competitive and highly-regarded scholarship awarded to 150 high school seniors. Unlike many college scholarships, the Coca-Cola Scholarship is exclusively achievement-based and does not take financial need into consideration. As a Coca-Cola Scholar, you will receive a financial award of $20,000, connect with a tight-knit alumni network, and attend ongoing Leadership Summits. Though the word “scholarship” may only make you think about monetary awards, the Coca-Cola Scholarship is unique in offering long-term opportunities and resources for selected Scholars.

Should I Apply to be a Coca-Cola Scholar?

Excited about the opportunity? Wondering if you should apply to become a Scholar? Let’s walk through the criteria used to evaluate candidates.

The Coca-Cola Foundation states that ideal scholarship recipients “exemplify superior leadership, service, and academics” and are “change agents, positively affecting others in their communities.”

While technically a merit scholarship, having strong grades and noteworthy academic achievements is only the first step to being selected. As an applicant, the focus of your accomplishments is crucial to your candidacy — you’ll be expected to have made significant, meaningful contributions to your community and shown a dedication to serving others. If you’d like to apply, it’s essential that you emphasize these qualities. When you’re asked to detail your activities and accomplishments, highlighting your leadership experience and the positive impact you’ve had on others is a top priority.

Who is Eligible to Apply?

The Coca-Cola Scholarship application criteria are fairly minimal. All applicants must be high school seniors — or the homeschooled equivalent — who will be attending college in the United States. As a U.S.-based scholarship, international students or American students studying abroad are ineligible to apply. The scholarship outlines U.S. resident criteria as including: U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals, U.S. Permanent Residents, Refugees, Asylees, Cuban-Haitian Entrants, or Humanitarian Parolees. To frame it another way, if you are eligible to apply for FAFSA, you can apply for the Coca-Cola Scholarship. Though the scholarship is highly competitive and based on academic merit, the only academic qualification required is a minimum GPA of 3.0 as an incoming senior.

How Much is the Coca Cola Scholarship?

The Coca-Cola Scholarship consists of a range of benefits. 150 selected finalists are each awarded a scholarship of $20,000. The Coca-Cola Foundation gives students a large amount of flexibility over how they use their scholarships. Recipients are able to use their scholarship fund for up to 10 years and can make independent decisions on when and where these resources are best used. There are few restrictions on how you can use the scholarship award, as long as it is an education-related expense. So, if you don’t want to put all of the money towards tuition, you could invest in a new laptop or pay for your dorm room or apartment.

You’ll also stay connected with other Scholars from across the years — every 5 years, you’ll attend a Leadership Summit in Atlanta led by program alumni. There, you’ll learn from other successful scholars how to continue developing your skills in taking the initiative to create positive change in the world.

How Prestigious — and Selective — is the Coca-Cola Scholarship?

Becoming a Coca-Cola Scholar is a major accomplishment, with an acceptance rate that makes those of top colleges seem easy in comparison. In the 2023 application cycle, over 91,000 students applied to join the 150-person Coca-Cola Scholar cohort, equivalent to an acceptance rate of about 0.16%. To know who you’d be competing against, since the Scholars program is exclusively merit-based, only the most accomplished students — both in academics and in service — will be awarded the scholarship.

Who Are Coca-Cola Scholars?

Coca-Cola Scholars are overwhelmingly successful in their college and career pursuits, typically attending elite universities and moving on to impressive professional positions.

Looking at the most recent class of Scholars, who will graduate college in 2028, many will matriculate to Ivy League and other top-ranked schools: Harvard (13), Princeton (3), Yale (3), Brown (3), Columbia, Northwestern, Duke, Dartmouth, and Cornell. You can read the full bios of the most recent scholarship recipients here .

Former Coca-Cola Scholars have gone on to make meaningful change, promoting equity in their communities and the U.S. at large. Let’s take a look at two former Scholars.

After being selected as a Truman Scholar, holding leadership positions at McKinsey & Company, and serving as a public school teacher, Star Wallin (2002 Scholar) founded Bell Creek Consulting. Serving as CEO, Star works to increase educational equity at underfunded schools and improve economic mobility for students of all backgrounds, partnering with schools in cities including Cleveland, Indianapolis, and Philadelphia.

Diana Chao (2015 Scholar) attended Princeton University, where she continued to build upon her organization Letters to Strangers, the largest peer-for-peer mental health advocacy organization worldwide. With work spanning six continents that has impacted over 150,000 individuals, Diana has won an incredible assortment of national and international awards, including the Presidential Volunteer Service Award, the Unilever Young Entrepreneurs Award, Global Teen Leader, and Global Changemaker.

If you’re interested in hearing more Scholars’ profiles, The Coke Scholars Unite Podcast (SIP) regularly hosts former scholarship recipients to speak about their ongoing efforts as changemakers and leaders.

When Does the Coca Cola Scholarship Open? When is the Application Due?

The Coca-Cola Scholars application opens at 10am ET on August 1st. Before formally applying, you’ll first have to submit an eligibility quiz by October 2nd at 4pm ET. However, keep in mind that you should check your eligibility well in advance of this deadline, as the deadline for submitting your full application is October 2nd at 5pm ET. So, unless you are absolutely certain that you meet scholarship criteria, make sure to complete this first step early so that you don’t complete an application you are ineligible to submit.

You can find more information on the application process here .

High school accomplishments of scholarship recipients span areas including politics, STEM research, medical and financial literacy, education, and philanthropy. Students have lobbied and collaborated with politicians, aided immigrants with U.S. Naturalization , fundraised tens of thousands of dollars for nonprofit efforts, conducted and published research affiliated with top universities, and founded education and outreach organizations.

Other scholarships you can consider

Equitable Excellence Scholarship — Awarding students demonstrating courage, strength, and wisdom

The National Society of High School Scholars Scholarship — Supports underrepresented students with strong ethical and innovation skills

U.S. Presidential Scholars Program — Designed to honor and support students pursuing the arts and technical education

Google Build Your Future Scholarships — Offers an array of scholarships for students pursuing studies and careers in technology

If you’d like to boost your scholarship application by adding an independent research project to your profile, consider applying to Horizon’s Research Seminars and Labs ! 

This is a selective virtual research program that lets you engage in advanced research and develop a research paper on a subject of your choosing. Horizon has worked with 1000+ high school students so far and offers 600+ research specializations for you to choose from. 

You can find the application link here

One other option – Lumiere Research Scholar Program

If you are interested in doing university-level research, then you could also consider applying to the Lumiere Research Scholar Program , a selective online high school program for students that I founded with researchers at Harvard and Oxford. Last year, we had over 4000 students apply for 500 spots in the program! You can find the application form here.

Also check out the Lumiere Research Inclusion Foundation , a non-profit research program for talented, low-income students

Stephen is one of the founders of Lumiere and a Harvard College graduate. He founded Lumiere as a Ph.D. student at Harvard Business School. Lumiere is a selective research program where students work 1-1 with a research mentor to develop an independent research paper.

Image Source: Coke Scholars Foundation logo

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How to Win a Coca-Cola Scholarship

April 24, 2024

Are you a Pepsi person or a Coke person? The Cola Wars have been going on for well over a century, and whether you’ve picked a side or preferred to remain neutral, you may now be interested in a Coca-Cola Scholarship. Securing a Coca-Cola Scholarship is a dream for many students, offering not just financial aid but also prestigious recognition. It’s an opportunity that transcends beverage preferences. However, navigating the Coca-Cola Scholarship requirements and meeting the Coca-Cola Scholarship deadline can be daunting. So in this blog, we’ll discuss steps and strategies to increase your chances of winning this fizzy scholarship.

First, what exactly is the Coca-Cola Scholarship?

The Coca-Cola Scholarship is one of the most prestigious and sought-after scholarships available to high school seniors in the United States. Established in 1986 by the Coca-Cola Company to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Coca-Cola, the scholarship program aims to recognize and reward outstanding students who demonstrate exceptional leadership, academic excellence, and a commitment to making a positive impact in their communities.

Each year, the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation awards 150 Coca-Cola Scholars with a $20,000 scholarship to support their undergraduate studies at an accredited college or university. In addition to the financial award, Coca-Cola Scholars become part of an extensive network of alumni, mentors, and resources. This network provides ongoing support and opportunities for personal and professional development.

Ultimately, the Coca-Cola Scholarship not only provides financial support for higher education but also recognizes and empowers exceptional young leaders who are poised to make a difference in the world. Through its emphasis on leadership, service, and community impact, the Coca-Cola Scholarship seeks to cultivate a new generation of changemakers who will create positive change in their communities and beyond.

And what are the Coca-Cola Scholarship requirements?

The Coca-Cola Scholarship has specific requirements that applicants must meet to be eligible for consideration. So here are the Coca-Cola Scholarship requirements:

Citizenship requirements

Applicants must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. permanent residents, refugees, asylees, Cuban-Haitian entrants, or humanitarian parolees.

Academic requirements

• Applicants must be currently enrolled in a high school or receiving a home school education within the United States.
• Also, they must have a minimum unweighted 3.0 GPA (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of application. Strong academic performance is a crucial factor in the selection process.
• Lastly, they must be expecting to graduate during the current academic year and plan to pursue an undergraduate degree.

Coca-Cola Scholarship deadline and other opportunities

For students graduating high school in 2024, the deadline has already passed and the winners have already been chosen .

However, if you’ll be a high school senior in the fall of 2024, you can apply when applications open on August 1st, 2024. Then the Coca-Cola Scholarship deadline will be September 30, 2024.

Alternatively, if this deadline isn’t feasible for you or if you don’t meet the requirements, don’t worry! This is not your only opportunity for scholarships. Consider looking into colleges that offer full-ride scholarships . Additionally, you may be able to earn a scholarship based on your SAT or ACT scores . Or you may be able to win other merit scholarships . And while scholarship opportunities are difficult to find for international students, they do exist . So brush up on how to write a compelling scholarship essay, and start making a list of which scholarships you’d like to target.

Coca-Cola Scholarship application process

Like many other competitive processes, the Coca-Cola Scholarship application process involves several stages:

• As mentioned, in 2024, the application period opens on August 1 and closes on September 30. However, these dates may change from year to year. So if you’re planning to apply in 2025, make sure you check for accurate dates.
• Once the Coca-Cola Scholarship deadline passes, the scholarship committee reviews applications to select approximately 2,200 semi-finalists. Those semi-finalists will be required to fill out a second application. Subsequently, the committee will narrow down the pool to 250 finalists.
• Finalists undergo interviews, either in-person in Atlanta, Georgia, or virtually.
• Finally, Coca-Cola Scholars are announced!

How to become a Coca-Cola Scholarship semifinalist

Crafting a compelling Coca-Cola Scholarship application requires careful planning, thoughtful reflection, and attention to detail. Here are some key strategies to help you create a standout application:

Familiarize yourself with the application early

You’ve already familiarized yourself with the Coca-Cola Scholarship requirements, and that’s a perfect start. But you don’t have to wait until the Fall to find out what the application looks like. Fortunately, you can examine a sample application at any time.

Allow your actions to speak for themselves

When you familiarize yourself with the application, you’ll notice that it’s not asking for your thoughts. It’s only asking for you to fill out your accomplishments, activities, jobs, and community service. They want to know what you’ve done, and they’ll get an idea of what you value based on your actions. So think about what your accomplishments say about you, because they’ll be doing the talking.

Highlight leadership and service

Emphasize your leadership roles, initiatives, and accomplishments both inside and outside the classroom. Showcase your ability to solve problems and make a positive impact in your community through service projects or volunteer work.

Showcase academic excellence

Highlight your academic achievements, honors, and awards. This will demonstrate your intellectual curiosity, dedication to learning, and ability to excel in challenging academic environments.

Connect with Coca-Cola’s values

Align your application with Coca-Cola’s values of leadership, service, and community engagement. Demonstrate how your goals and aspirations align with the mission and vision of the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation.

Seek feedback

Ask teachers, counselors, mentors, or trusted peers to review your application materials and provide feedback or ideas. They might even remember something you’ve done that slipped your mind!

Apply early and thoroughly

Start working on your application well in advance of the Coca-Cola Scholarship deadline. This allows ample time for brainstorming and editing. Additionally, double-check all application materials to ensure that they are complete, accurate, and submitted on time.

Stay true to yourself

But above all, be authentic and true to yourself throughout the application process. Your unique strengths and experiences will reflect who you are and what you stand for. So let your passion, integrity, and commitment shine through in every aspect of your application.

How to win a Coca-Cola Scholarship

If you’re lucky enough to become a semi finalist, then preparing for a Coca-Cola Scholarship interview is crucial. So here are some steps to help you prepare effectively:

1) Review your application

Familiarize yourself with every detail of your scholarship application, including your leadership roles, community service experiences, and academic accomplishments. And be prepared to discuss these aspects in-depth during the interview.

2) Research the scholarship again

Revisit all you know about the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation. Remind yourself about its mission, values, and past scholarship recipients . Understand how the foundation aligns with your own goals, values, and aspirations.

3) Understand the interview format

Decide whether your interview will be conducted in person or online. Then familiarize yourself with the logistics, such as the timing, location, or virtual platform. If it’s an online interview, ensure that your technology (internet connection, camera, microphone) is working well.

4) Practice interview questions

Anticipate and practice answering common interview questions, such as:

• Tell us about yourself.
• What inspired you to apply for the Coca-Cola Scholarship?
• Describe a challenging situation you faced and how you overcame it.
• Discuss your leadership experiences and the impact you’ve made.
• How have your community service activities shaped your character and goals?
• What are your future plans and how do they align with Coca-Cola’s values?

5) Prepare STAR stories

Use the STAR (Situation, Task, Action, Result) method to structure your answers. Share specific examples that highlight your leadership, problem-solving skills, resilience, and impact. And be concise, yet descriptive, in your responses.

6) Research current events

Stay informed about current events, social issues, and trends related to education, leadership, and community service. Be prepared to discuss how these topics influence your perspective and goals.

7) Practice mock interviews

Conduct mock interviews with friends, family members, teachers, or mentors. Then ask for constructive feedback on your communication style, body language, clarity of responses, and overall presentation.

8) Prepare questions to ask

Prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewers about the scholarship, the foundation’s initiatives, opportunities for scholars, and advice for successful applicants. This shows your genuine interest and engagement.

9) Dress appropriately

Choose professional attire that reflects your respect for the interview process and the importance of the opportunity. Dressing professionally can also boost your confidence during the interview.

10) Plan logistics

Arrive early if it’s an in-person interview, or log in to the online platform well in advance to ensure a smooth start. Have all necessary documents (notes, questions, etc) organized and accessible.

11) Stay calm and confident

On the day of the interview, practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing or visualization to calm your nerves. Also remember to speak clearly, maintain eye contact, and demonstrate enthusiasm for the opportunity.

Final thoughts on the Coca-Cola Scholarship

Yes, competing for a Coca-Cola Scholarship is even more intense than the infamous Cola Wars. Because this is more than just fighting for your favorite cola-flavored soda. This is about receiving well-earned recognition, help funding your education, and a network of support. But despite the high stakes and intense competition, it’s very possible. By understanding the Coca-Cola Scholarship requirements, meeting the Coca-Cola Scholarship deadline, and showcasing your strengths effectively, you could become one of the next Coca-Cola Scholars. Cheers to that!

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Coca-cola scholarship: how to win it.

When it comes to college scholarships , the Coca-Cola Scholarship is one of the most generous. Recipients win $20,000 toward their college education! Not surprisingly, this also makes the Coca-Coca Scholarship one of the most competitive scholarship programs out there.

In this guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about the Coca-Cola Scholarship, plus tips to increase your chances of winning one for yourself.

Click above to watch a video on Coca Cola Scholarship.

About the Coca-Cola Scholarship

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program scholarship is a merit-based scholarship for graduating high school seniors. It is one of three scholarships funded by the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation, which was launched in 1986 to celebrate Coca-Cola’s centennial. Each year, 150 students are selected to receive the $20,000 scholarship.

According to the program’s website , winners are recognized for “their capacity to lead and serve.” Winners are also committed to “making a significant impact” in their communities and schools. In total, 6,300 Coca-Cola Scholars have won more than $72 million to support their educations.

Am I Qualified for the Coca-Cola Scholarship?

To qualify for the Coca-Cola Scholarship, you must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be a current high school senior (or home-schooled student) attending school in the United States
• Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. national, U.S. permanent resident, refugee, asylee, Cuban-Haitian entrant, or humanitarian parolee
• Plan to pursue a college degree at an accredited U.S. post-secondary institution (most two or four-year colleges in the United States)
• Have a minimum 3.0 unweighted GPA

In addition, you may not be:

• The child or grandchild of a current Coca-Cola employee or a former employee receiving retirement benefits
• An international student
• A high school graduate
• A temporary resident of the U.S.

If you fit these requirements, you’re eligible to submit an application for consideration.

How Do I Submit a Coca-Coca Scholarship?

Typically, the Coca-Cola Scholarship application window opens at the beginning of August and closes at the end of October. During the application window, you must submit a complete application through the Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation application portal. Applications are not accepted via mail, fax, or email.

The good news is that the Coca-Cola Scholarship does not require an essay or other supplementary materials. However, the application does ask for a lot of information. And you must be sure to fill it out completely—otherwise, you won’t be considered for the scholarship.

Around mid-November, 2,000 applicants are selected as semifinalists. Semifinalists are typically asked to submit additional materials for consideration. A committee reviews the applications and selects 250 regional finalists by the end of January.

In February, regional finalists are interviewed via phone or Skype. After interviews, the 150 scholarship winners are finally selected and announced.

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What do i need to submit for a coca-cola scholarship.

Here’s the information you’ll be asked to provide on the Coca-Cola Scholarship application:

• Contact Information – Including the names, phone numbers, and emails of your school principal and guidance counselor.
• Academic Record/Transcript- You won’t send your transcript in with the application, but you’ll need it so you can self-report your classes and grades beginning from freshman year. You also need to know your class size, class rank, and the number of AP/IB classes offered at your school.
• Clubs and Organizations- The application asks you to list both school and non-school related activities you’ve taken part in since freshman year. You also need to mention any leadership roles you held in these activities. Specifically, the activities mentioned on the application include student council, class officer, academic/honor societies, school newspaper or literary magazine, school yearbook, drama, theater, dance, speech, debate, forensics, band, orchestra, vocal, visual arts, athletics, and any other school-related clubs, organizations, or intramurals.
• Honors and Awards- List awards and accolades you’ve received since freshman year, including whether these awards were local, regional, state, or national.
• Volunteer Activities- List unpaid community service activities since freshman year. You’ll need to include the number of hours you participated in each activity, plus any awards or honors you received through volunteering.
• Work Experience- If you have paid work experience, you’ll include information about how long you were employed and how many hours you worked weekly in your application.

As mentioned previously, the application does not require an essay or supplementary materials, such as letters of recommendation. It also doesn’t ask for your standardized test scores or any financial information (because it is not a need-based scholarship). However, as you can see, the application requires some pretty in-depth information about your high school career.

It’s easier to fill out the application if you gather materials ahead of time, like your transcript, information on extracurricular activities and volunteer work, a list of your honors and awards, etc. You should also ask your guidance counselor for data like your class size/rank and the number of AP/IB classes at your school if you’re not sure.

Tips for Winning a Coca-Cola Scholarship

With $20,000 on the line, it makes sense that the Coca-Cola Scholarship is highly competitive and prestigious. In fact, the top five colleges attended by Coca-Cola Scholarship recipients are Harvard, Stanford, Duke, Yale, and Princeton. Many winners are entrepreneurs, inventors, founders of nonprofit organizations, and leaders of impactful research. You can read bios of the most recent Coca-Cola Scholars here .

But that doesn’t mean you should feel intimidated or rule yourself out. It takes only a few hours to complete the application, and it could lead to $20,000 toward your education. You never know what might happen, especially if you’re strategic and thorough in filling out your application.

The following tips will help you put your best foot forward and maximize your chances of winning a Coca-Cola Scholarship. The first few tips apply to younger high school students who have time remaining to build their resumes. At the end, we have some tips for seniors who are ready to apply now, including how to present yourself in the best possible light.

YOUNGER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Demonstrate academic achievement.

For just about any merit-based scholarship, academic achievement is key. In particular, corporate scholarships like Coca-Cola’s program want to invest in students who have clearly demonstrated their potential for success.

Take the most challenging classes available at your school, and get the highest grades possible. Aim for a stellar GPA and a seat near the top of your graduating class. If you find yourself struggling, be proactive. Ask for help from a teacher, peer, or professional tutor. Invest time in taking notes, reviewing those notes, and studying regularly (not just cramming). Complete your class assignments and homework on time, and be receptive to feedback from your teachers.

Excelling academically is challenging and time-consuming . It’s not always fun. But when you think about opportunities like the Coca-Cola Scholarship, you realize all the hard work is a worthwhile investment in yourself and your future.

Get Involved

When you’re first starting high school, it might seem scary to throw yourself into new activities and organizations. But it’s important to get involved from the beginning. Look into the clubs and extracurricular activities available at your school, and make a list of the ones that sound interesting to you.

Talk to other students or attend a few introductory meetings, then narrow your list down to 3-4 activities that line up with your passions and interests. It’s best to stick with your favorite activities throughout high school, growing within the organization and ideally taking on a leadership role. Plus, you’ll show commitment and passion, which appeals to scholarship committees and admissions officers alike.

Most Coca-Cola Scholarship recipients are presidents of clubs, captains of sports teams, and/or leaders in student government. If you want to establish yourself as a motivated and passionate leader, it helps to get involved early on, building trust and connections throughout your school.

Serve Your School and Community

Another common trait in most Coca-Cola Scholarship recipients is impactful service. Many are also involved in social justice initiatives within their schools and communities, like advocating against human trafficking, working with underrepresented youth, bridging the gender gap in STEM, or raising awareness about teen mental health.

You can start by volunteering in your school and community, including with the organizations and clubs you’re involved in. Ideally, you’ll find a cause you’re passionate about or a need you’d love to help meet. Whether it’s teaching senior citizens about computers, providing free tutoring to underprivileged students, or giving presentations about climate change, it’s especially impressive (and personally fulfilling) if you can start a project, event, or even a nonprofit organization of your own.

Think about the needs of students at your school or people in your community that aren’t being met. What can you do to help? Again, reading through bios of the latest Coca-Cola Scholarship recipients can give you a wealth of inspiration and ideas. But you’re at your best when you’re following your heart and pursuing your passions, so find something that’s meaningful to you.

Show Leadership

We mentioned leadership already, but it’s important to remember that leadership comes in many forms. It might mean being a club president or a sports team captain, or it could mean making your own invention, business, community program, or school fundraiser. You can also lead by training people at a job, welcoming new students to your school, or organizing events.

The idea of leadership isn’t comfortable for everyone, so find a way to lead that works for you. If you want to stand out and compete for major scholarships like this one, it’s important to get some sort of leadership experience on your resume.

Earn Accolades and Awards

If you do everything mentioned above, you’re almost guaranteed to win some awards and accolades for your efforts. Still, you should always be on the lookout for opportunities. And some honors require you to submit yourself for consideration, so don’t assume you’ll just automatically be recognized and rewarded.

Often, teachers or counselors will share award opportunities. If you hear something that’s a good fit for you, always take the time to apply. If you’re into research, submit your work for publication. Or make sure you put together a solid entry for your school’s Science Fair, which could get you all the way to the state competition. Enter essay contests if writing is your thing, or find talent shows where your musical abilities will shine. Whatever you’re good at, aim for recognition that you can include on your resume.

SENIORS READY TO APPLY FOR THE COCA-COLA SCHOLARSHIP

Keep program values in mind.

Reading through the information for younger high school students above should give you some idea of the values and qualities most important to the Coca-Cola Scholarship committee. Successful applicants shine academically, show leadership, and make a real impact on their schools and communities. They are service-oriented, motivated, and passionate.

As you fill out the scholarship application, keep these values in mind. These are the areas you really want to highlight and bring to the forefront. Think about how your extracurricular experience, awards and honors, and volunteer work can help you demonstrate these values to the people reviewing your application. If you aren’t sure, ask family members, friends, and teachers who know you well for input.

Be Thorough

Make sure to closely read through every part of the application. Enter your information thoroughly and correctly. If you miss any part of the application, you won’t be considered for the scholarship.

Similarly, make sure you list everything that could help make your application look good. If it happened during high school and shows your academic ability, leadership skills, dedication to the community, or overall motivation and potential, then you don’t want to leave it out. Now is not the time to be humble!

Edit Carefully

Any application you submit should be error-free, especially for an extremely competitive scholarship like this one. Review your application very carefully before submitting. If you aren’t sure about your spelling or comma placement, do some online research to double-check your work.

Sometimes, it’s helpful to save the application for a day or two after you complete it. Then, look at it with a fresh pair of eyes before submitting. You might catch something you missed the first time around. Another tip is to read your application backwards. It sounds strange, but it gives you a new perspective that can help you spot errors.

Ask for a Second Opinion

It’s also helpful to ask for a second opinion from a teacher or trusted adult. Ask another person (or 2-3 other people) to review your application for grammar and clarity. You can also ask for input on the information you’ve included and if there’s anything you’ve left out.

Of course, it’s your application at the end of the day, so don’t make changes you aren’t comfortable with. A second opinion is just that—an opinion.

Submit On Time!

Finally, make sure to submit your application on time. If you miss the deadline, you miss the opportunity. It’s best to submit early, so you don’t feel too much pressure and have plenty of time to review and edit as needed.

So, mark the Coca-Cola Scholarship deadline in your calendar as soon as the scholarship window opens. Give yourself plenty of time to gather materials, write the application, edit it, and ask for at least one other person to review it too.

Final Thoughts: How to Win a Coca-Cola Scholarship

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