Scoring Guidelines
The scoring scale is as follows (think of each as YES!, maybe yes, probably not, and no buckets for a category):
- 4 Points = Exceptional/Among the Top—definitely Coca-Cola Scholar level in a category
- 3 Points = Outstanding—perhaps Coca-Cola Scholar level in a category
- 2 Points = Solid/Typical—likely not Coca-Cola Scholar level in a category
- 1 Point = Weak—definitely not Coca-Cola Scholar level in a category
- 0 Point = Insufficient/Incomplete
Scoring Guidelines
Each application will have a Scoring Form that looks like this:
You will complete a Scoring Form for each candidate you are assigned.
The comments will be most useful for each reader for the final decision making, to help remember why a particular assessment was made, as well as to suggest possible interview questions. Notes are strongly encouraged (even brief notes), but not required if you have nothing compelling to note about a candidate.
KEEP IN MIND that at this level, the vast majority of applications should present as impressive. Your challenge is to assess them within this accomplished sub-group of applicants, not against the larger high school senior population.
Your task is to help distinguish an A from an A- from a B+. Given that your SDs will submit a ranked list of the top 30 out of ~150, you can aim to indicate "Definitely a Coke Scholar" as your final individual recommendation for approximately 25-30% of your applicants. Remember our advice: if you have to spend any time convincing yourself that you should select "Definitely a Coke Scholar," this applicant will likely not stack up at the end when you deliberate with your teammates.
The scoring scale is as follows (think of each as YES!, maybe yes, probably not, and no buckets for a category):
4 Points = Exceptional/Among the Top--definitely Coca-Cola Scholar level in a category--may demonstrate:
- Exceptional characteristics in a category -- a “wow” factor that makes you want to stop reading and share what you just read with someone.
- Sustained and significant commitment, leadership, impact, and accomplishments in multiple areas with articulated impact, ideally amplified by a recommender.
- Sustained and in-depth service to others and organizations with a strong commitment to helping those around them. Service goes above and beyond "one-off" experiences.
- Glowing, "once-in-a-career"-level recommendation.
- Evidence that applicant persevered, persisted, or overcame obstacles and challenges and thrived (either in spite of or because of those obstacles and challenges), or set and worked towards achieving a meaningful goal that is clearly important to them.
3 Points = Outstanding--perhaps Coca-Cola Scholar level in a category--may demonstrate:
- Evidence of solid leadership and impact in only a few areas (limited depth), or limited leadership, involvement, and impact across multiple areas (limited breadth).
- Dedicates time to serving others/organizations, although experiences may not be sustained or in-depth commitments.
- If not for a small concern or limitation in the application (slightly less impressive leadership or impact, quality of writing, a concern about academic ability), this applicant would likely score at the higher level for a category.
2 Points = Solid/Typical—likely not Coca-Cola Scholar level in a category--may demonstrate:
- What one would expect from a high-achieving student, but nothing remarkable is present in a category.
- Little evident, meaningful, sustained, or significant leadership; limited evidence of impact; or multiple memberships/basic involvement.
- Limited time spent in service-oriented initiatives
1 Point = Weak--definitely not Coca-Cola Scholar level in a category:
- A Semifinalist's materials do not demonstrate accomplishment or impact in a category.
0 Point = Insufficient/Incomplete
- A Semifinalist or recommender did not complete or submit adequate information in the relevant section(s).