Free money...

[CrazyCarl]

---

Members do not see this ad.

Does anyone have any experience with or feedback about the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship? I don't really know much about it. Is it only worth applying if you are in a tremendously bad financial position? I figure most people going to medical school are unable to cover the bill themselves, so most of us can demonstrate financial need in that sense. How competitive is the application anyway?

 

[marakah2]

i'm curious about this one too. my parents are above the cut-off financially for me to usually qualify for any type of aid. it is hard to get them to fill out the fafsa! but, this one seems interesting and i didn't see a specific phrase such as "candidates will be chosen based on finances" but if anyone has specific info. it would be great.

 

[periodic]

The application materials include the following selection criteria:

Academic ability and achievement
Unmet financial need
Will to succeed
Leadership and public service
Critical-thinking ability
Appreciation for or participation in the arts and humanities

Financial need is the second highest factor, so I think you should have a good amount of need.

 

[ollie2003]

that is what i hate, hate about having to include parental info. my parents are well off, but i am an independent person--ie i have been out of school for years and am not going to get money from them.

i realize that this is the best way to help the majority, but it does kind of irritate me

 

[DrWorkNeverDone]

You are not the only one,,,there is this middle class group that parents have worked hard to get there so why should they help their kids? I AM ONE TOO 🙂 Recently though I found out I could use my astranged dad because he is my real dad....Made me really happy considering my Step dad makes up to 70 grand a year...eRRRRRRRRRRRRRR

 

[TRUE]

Originally posted by marakah2
i'm curious about this one too. my parents are above the cut-off financially for me to usually qualify for any type of aid. it is hard to get them to fill out the fafsa! but, this one seems interesting and i didn't see a specific phrase such as "candidates will be chosen based on finances" but if anyone has specific info. it would be great.

The FAFSA for graduate school applicants (including medical school) does not require finacial aid information from parents. You are considered an independent person.

 

[jlee9531]

Originally posted by facted
The FAFSA for graduate school applicants (including medical school) does not require finacial aid information from parents. You are considered an independent person.

but in order to get all the aid available to you from schools and outside scholarships parental info is required.

 

[ollie2003]

yeah, if i remember correctly from the fafsa last year it says something to the effect of " you are independent unless you are going into a healthcare field, if so include your parents info"

 

[DriNDT]

To the OP,

In regards to the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation scholarship, I talked with my undergrad faculty representative for the Foundation (most schools have a designated representative who deals with student nominations). This is what I ascertained - and please, anyone can correct me here if I am wrong:

1) Most schools (undergrad) have a faculty member (or administrator) who is in charge of nominating students from their institution.

2) Each school can only nominate 2 students per year.

3) The application can be downloaded online, including all supplemental material requirements and essays, but I believe that all final materials must be submitted by the undergraduate representative who deals with the Foundation - assuming they consider you eligible to be one of the 2 students they are allowed to nominate.

4) In terms of competition, you can get some idea of the credentials most recipients of the scholarhip possess by logging onto the website (www.jackkentcookefoundation.org). There, they have profiles of all scholarship recipients.

5) As for selection criteria, in addition to the list posted previously (and demonstrated financial need), you must have at least a 3.5 cumulative gpa on a 4.0 scale.

I think the deadline for submission of all materials is April 30, 2004, but I know most undergraduate faculty representatives probably require materials much earlier (Feb) so that they can select from the pool of eligible candidates (if more than 2 students from the undergrad institution are interested in being considered as nominees).

I know I kind of rambled here, but I hope I provided some helpful info. Again, the website is probably your best resource🙂 Best of luck!!

 

[lorarp]

hey all,

i'm a recipient of the JKCF scholarship, original class of 2002. i got really lucky b/c when i applied no one knew about the scholarship and it was restricted to the DC/VA/MD area since that was Jack's home base.

it's a super competitive program since they offer so much money. it might have changed, but i'm getting almost 50,000 per year. they look for people with outstanding stories. my financial situation is like yours, in that my parents have money but i don't. if i applied now, i think there is little chance i would get the scholarship.

i encourage everyone to apply, but know that the people they select are getting more amazing every year and they are picking more artistic people and less med students each year. read the 2003 bios - i was really impressed!

 

[wise146]

I was wondering if anybody knows of any other fellowships like Jack Kent Cooke Graduate Fellowship. I will be starting dental school in August. Thanks.