Failing to receive an email is NOT definitive rejection. Don’t read too much into it. Receiving the email could mean they aren’t sure about you yet. Not receiving the email could mean they already decided you are a yes. We have no way of knowing.
I’m really sorry you guys are waiting for long, especially while dealing with finals and trying to figure out what college to attend. Don’t count yourself out. Hang in there and stay strong!
@LostUber you’re the real #MVP of the year. You post was really uplifting and meant a whole lot.
@nekozuki you’re a sweet baby angel. @LostUber I’m totally with you 100% 
I too think it’s all part of something higher.
Oh, I’m starting to crack.
@aritransfer16, I’m just trying to get off Mr. JKCFs wild ride.
I received the financial e-mail earlier but no transcript update e-mail today. SOS
I’m freaking out worse than ever now. Ugh.
I need to let one of the colleges I applied to know If I got the scholarship before May 1st. I guess that is not happening.
@szafir Can you ask for an extension?
@aritransfer16 I’m not sure. The financial aid person that I talked to was very clear about the May 1st deadline. I wish they could just call JKC and get something out of them. I was tempted to call JKC and ask if not getting today’s email=rejection but I doubt I’ll get any accurate info. I might still call them. Unless anybody else here is already planning on that.
@szafir They’re closed right now, but call tomorrow for us please!
I live in the east coast and I know a semifinalist from my community college who received the email today.
I would like to inquire about the reasoning behind the Cooke Foundation requesting final transcripts (does not have to be official according to a previous post) and acceptances to colleges. Seems a bit repetitive while the Foundation requires all winners to submit a Final Community College "Official’ Transcript and a Four-Year Institution Acceptance Letter at the end of everything.
Thoughts?
@sammyclaire23 That’s what I meant to say, I’ll call tomorrow!
Christin Grissom: Manager, Senior College Relations at Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society posted on facebook tonight 4/26
“I know so many of you that have applied for the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship and are anxious about their decision. Hang in there during the next couple of weeks & trust that you put your best foot forward in the application process. Good luck!”
Sounds to me we will not know for a couple more weeks. Reading the JKC College Scholarship forum those that were asked for additional information i.e. grades and college acceptances, received the scholarships. March 25th was their deadline, April 12th began notifications of winners, at least on the forum, and rejection emails were sent out on April 21st. I am NOT indicating those that did not receive the recent email are out.
I received the first email requesting additional financial information but did not receive the one today. I am not surprised, however, it would have been nice if they sent out rejection letters to those they know are no longer considered instead of making all the semifinalist wait. I am in the same boat as @szafir and frustrated because I do not know what to do. Do I hope for the best and accept admissions to a college I know I cannot afford without this scholarship or go for option B, knowing it is not the school I really want to attend but could afford with loans? Sorry for venting, just not a good day.
Would anyone who received the email today mind sharing their transfer schools and the school they’ve decided on?
I have a theory, now no one take offense. The JKC traditionally gives scholarships out to those who are attending premier institutions, so it could be that they are checking on where those people that applied to some not-so-top-notch-schools will be actually transferring to. I could be COMPLETELY wrong, it’s just a thought.
One more thought… I’ve bitten my tongue for too long on this. Y’all need to stop calling the foundation. It’s beyond obvious that there is no news and the news you might have is wrong. Do you guys not realize that this is a privilege and not a right? No one owes you an answer by any date because THEY didn’t set a deadline. Sure, it sucks if you have offers on the table, I understand that. But this constant barrage of phone calls and emails honestly makes us all look bad. Makes us seem entitled and furthers this constant millennial rhetoric.
The above is honestly only my opinion and you have the right to not agree with me. Everyone needs to chill.
On a better note, I hope you all have been getting the acceptance letters you all deserve because in the end, no one can take away your education.
@astrojess While I agree with the message and intent of your most recent post, I have to highlight some inconsistencies. The foundation did, in fact, set an estimated deadline (Early April - http://www.jkcf.org/scholarship-programs/undergraduate-transfer/faqs/) and while the constant calls and emails may not be an efficient method of communication and source of information, there is something to be said about the foundation’s process. Primarily, they should anticipate some form of setback and do one of two things - set a much more distant estimated deadline or, after the first extension, formally inform applicants of the setbacks they are experiencing and set another estimated deadline based on the information they have. You are correct that bombarding the foundation with questions is not appropriate, however, the foundation has played a poor part in their own communication efforts.
With that being said, we all know that the staff responding to calls and emails are not reliable so even if communication with the foundation makes us feel better, we need to chill out and focus on finals because whatever information we are receiving is, most likely, incorrect. Just my two cents.
I’ve been in class today, and just got out and caught up. I never received either email. I thought the first was because I’m over thirty and my financial info is pretty straight forward…I’m poor. As far as today I’m pretty nervous. I only applied to one school because of my children, so there was no other option. I hope because of that they didn’t need any classification. My friend from school received both emails, so if it does mean that they selected winners based off the second one, then I couldn’t be happier for this person. They truly deserve it. Here’s to more praying. Best of luck everyone.
@astrojess most of the top notch schools have not sent out their results yet. And the foundation wants our replies by May 2nd. So to support your theory we need to hear back from the top notch schools by May 2nd.
@nekozuki @optimisticky curious what the former Scholars would like to say about this. How many scholars go to top tier schools? Also did you let the foundation know which school you were accepted to before you got the scholarship?
@astrojess Someone offered this theory about top schools on the College Scholars board and their scholar deconstructed it quite firmly. While JKC does encourage applicants to apply to top notch schools, and my coordinator believes that it helps if you you include them on the application, many scholars do not go to HYPS. Not to mention that, on a practical note, many top schools have not released decisions yet.
I have only heard back from one of these types of schools and they rejected me in part because of my high financial need. I am waiting to hear back from two schools with similar policies and am expecting the same result, barring receiving the JKCF scholarship. Thus far, I have been accepted into every need blind school that I applied to and rejected from every need “aware” school. While admissions are complex and it is never any one thing, it is heartbreaking nonetheless.
My personal vent aside, here’s an anecdote from our school: most of our scholars have attended top tier schools, but not all. In our last batch of winners, one went to an Ivy League school while another was deciding between a small, local private school (perfectly respectable, but not well known outside our city) and the state’s flagship. Though our state’s flagship is a top 50 school, it’s still not likely in the realm that you’re thinking.
As for calling the foundation, I concur that it is excessive, but I don’t think it is a sign of entitlement. It is a sign of anxiety, some of which is well founded: school deadlines are approaching and people don’t know what to say. I don’t think it’s a millennial thing, either. While our advisers have not called as much as we have, admittedly, they ask us all the time if we have heard anything. They’re excited for us, anxious to hear, and frustrated by the wait. This is all to be expected. I think the main problem with calling the foundation is the toll it puts on the reps - I cannot imagine what it is like for them right now, especially since not all of them seem to be in the know. I have sincere appreciation for what they are doing.
@ everyone else: call your schools and ask for extensions. The worst they can say is no.