Jack Kent Cooke Foundation

Program Description

The Jack Kent Cooke Foundation's Young Scholars Program was founded on the idea that if you give high-achieving students with financial need the guidance and resources necessary for them to excel during high school, college, and beyond, their greatness will emerge.

The program is designed to nurture exceptionally talented students who have demonstrated, through academic excellence and extracurricular activities, that they have the potential to excel. Students apply for the program in 7th grade, enter the program in 8th grade, and continue through high school.

The Young Scholars Program provides the most personalized, generous scholarship experience in the nation. Each student is paired with an educational adviser, who provides guidance throughout high school. The Foundation works closely with Scholars and their families to construct a tailored educational program that includes, but is not limited to, support for summer programs, distance learning courses, technology, college visits, books, subscriptions, and music and art education.

Each year, more than 1,000 high-achieving 7th graders nationwide apply for the Young Scholars Program. In 2012, 52 students were selected as new Young Scholars. All Young Scholars have demonstrated excellence in academic endeavors and extracurricular activities, a strong will to succeed, and financial need. For Young Scholars entering the program, the average family income is approximately $25,000, and more than 90 percent have incomes under $60,000.

Demographics

Race & Ethnicity

• White: 34%
• Asian or Pacific Islander: 22%
• Other: 9%
• African American: 18%

Education Level and
Number of Students

• High School: 215
• Middle School: 53
• Elementary School: 0
• Post-secondary: 0
• Non-traditional: 0

Populations Served

• Academically At-risk
• Academically High-performing
• Undocumented Students (25)

First-Generation

• Between 50% and 75%

Representative
Colleges Attended
by Alumni

• Amherst College
• Bates College
• Brown University
• Bucknell University
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Columbia University in the City of New York
• Cornell University
• Duke University
• Emory University
• George Washington University
• Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus
• Harvard University
• New York University
• Princeton University
• Stanford University
• University of Michigan-Ann Arbor
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Southern California
• University of Virginia-Main Campus
• Vanderbilt University
• Wellesley College
• Yale University

Matriculation & Completion

• 4-yr College Matriculation: 100%
• 4-yr College Graduation: 95%