Selection Criteria

Selection Criteria Used in the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation Selection Process

All applications for the Jack Kent Cooke Undergraduate Transfer Scholarships are reviewed by independent readers using the following selection criteria: achievement and academic ability, desire to engage in and contribute to the world, self-confidence, and resilience. Below are descriptions intended to provide additional detail on each criterion.

To be competitive, applicants must demonstrate significant unmet financial need, score highly in achievement and academic ability, and receive good scores in the other criteria. We understand that it is the rare person who could score “perfectly” in all areas, but your candidates will be competing with others who are strong in most or all areas.
 

Achievement and academic abilility

Applicants must have a cumulative college grade point average of 3.50 or better on a 4.0 scale (or the equivalent) for all undergraduate coursework. In addition, the panel looks for

  • A high-quality and rigorous curriculum, including advanced courses taken
  • Consistently high academic performance, or steady improvement, in the two-year program
  • Academic honors and awards
  • Substantive assessments by those providing confidential letters of recommendation
  • The applicant’s persistence and determination in achieving goals
  • Intellectual curiosity

The school(s) indicated as the applicant's choice(s) to complete his/her baccalaureate degree should be appropriate for the applicant’s stated goals.
 

Desire to Engage in and Contribute to the World

The panel will expect applicants to provide evidence of purposeful and meaningful commitment to others.  Ways to demostrate this purposeful and meaningful committment include:

  • Participation in volunteer/community service activities
  • Developing programs, tools, or products to help others
  • Conducting research into important issues
  • Creating works of art to share with others

Self-Confidence

The panel will look for evidence of the applicant's belief in oneself, taking appropriate risks, and feeling comfortable in seeking help and getting advice.
 

Resilience 

Evidence of ability to cope with adversity or stress, including assumption of significant responsibilities during school or prior personal challenges; bouncing back from failure.