The Coolidge Scholarship: A Comprehensive Guide to Application Statistics and Success
The Coolidge Scholarship stands as a prestigious, full-ride, four-year merit scholarship available for undergraduate study at any accredited college or university in the United States. It is awarded annually by the Coolidge Foundation, an organization dedicated to preserving the legacy and promoting the values of America's 30th president, Calvin Coolidge. Founded in 1960 by John Coolidge, the president’s son, along with fellow Coolidge enthusiasts, the Foundation operates from Coolidge's birthplace in Plymouth Notch, Vermont.
Eligibility and Criteria
The scholarship is open to high school juniors who plan to enroll in college in the fall of 2027 and are American citizens or legal permanent residents. Current high school seniors are not eligible. The Coolidge Scholarship seeks students who embody the values of Calvin Coolidge, demonstrating academic excellence, an interest in public policy, humility and service, and an appreciation for those values Coolidge championed.
Academic excellence is the primary criterion. The young New Englander’s only sport was public speaking, often on public policy, reflecting Coolidge’s own dedication to academics. Successful candidates will also demonstrate humility and have a record of genuine service to their communities.
The Application Process
The Coolidge Scholarship application includes three essays designed to assess a candidate's intellectual curiosity, understanding of Coolidge's philosophy, and analytical abilities.
Essay I: Intellectual Frontiers
The first essay asks applicants to reflect on their intellectual journey and future aspirations. It prompts students to consider the intellectual frontiers they hope to explore in their college years. This essay goes beyond simply stating a desired major or career path. Instead, it seeks to understand the ideas that interest the applicant most, what they still have to learn about those ideas, and what they envision doing with the knowledge gained in college.
Read also: Enrollment at Notre Dame
Essay II: Coolidge and the Declaration of Independence
The second essay delves into Coolidge's philosophy through an excerpt from his 1926 speech, "The Inspiration of the Declaration," delivered in Philadelphia on the 150th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
In this speech, Coolidge asserts, "About the Declaration there is a finality that is exceedingly restful." He argues that the core principles of the Declaration-equality, inalienable rights, and government by consent-are timeless and cannot be improved upon. Coolidge states, "If all men are created equal, that is final. If they are endowed with inalienable rights, that is final. If governments derive their just powers from the consent of the governed, that is final. No advance, no progress can be made beyond these propositions." He posits that any attempt to deny these truths would be a reactionary step backward.
Applicants are asked to explain what they believe Coolidge means in this passage, demonstrating their comprehension of his conservative ideology and his reverence for the nation's founding principles. The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge is one of the required readings for this essay.
Essay III: Coolidge and Tax Reform in the 1920s
The third essay focuses on the tax reforms of the 1920s, a period when the federal individual income tax, made permanent by the Sixteenth Amendment to the Constitution and the 1913 Underwood-Simmons Act, was still relatively new. Following World War I, high tax rates prompted both Republicans and Democrats to advocate for reform. Warren Harding, upon becoming president in 1921, made tax reduction a key goal of his administration.
This essay requires applicants to analyze the logic behind the 1920s tax reforms and evaluate their impact, drawing upon provided resources and additional research. Applicants are encouraged to understand the rationale behind Coolidge's policies, even if they do not personally agree with them. The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge is also a required reading for this essay.
Read also: A Look at Penn State's Enrollment Numbers
The Coolidge Senators Program
Beyond the scholarship itself, the Coolidge Foundation also runs the Coolidge Senators Program. This program recognizes one hundred of the top Coolidge Scholarship applicants who demonstrate exceptional academic accomplishments and show a special interest in Calvin Coolidge. Students who qualify for the Coolidge Senator distinction will be notified by the Coolidge Foundation directly.
Coolidge Senators are invited to participate in the Coolidge Senator Summit, an all-expenses-paid event held each summer in Plymouth Notch, Vermont. At the Summit, Senators tour Calvin Coolidge’s hometown, discuss pressing issues in policy and business with renowned experts, and take part in seminars on issues of national importance. The Summit gives Senators a glimpse into the world of Calvin Coolidge and a chance to see how a boy born in the remote Green Mountains of Vermont made his way to the highest office in the land. President Coolidge understood that America’s free enterprise system was critical to sustaining our republic.
The Summit also provides the opportunity for Coolidge Senators to forge friendships with other top students from across America. Designation as a Coolidge Senator opens up a wide network of both peers and mentors. The Coolidge Foundation provides further enrichment opportunities for Coolidge Senators during their college years including an annual national conference and alumni summit in Washington, D.C. Typically, the Summit takes place in August following the Scholarship application process.
Examples of Coolidge Scholars
The Coolidge Foundation website provides information on past Coolidge Scholars, offering insights into the qualities and accomplishments of successful applicants. These examples showcase the diverse interests and achievements of Coolidge Scholars, highlighting their commitment to academics, public service, and leadership.
- Cooper Beckmann: A senior at St. Croix Preparatory Academy, Cooper is interested in financial education and has volunteered at a tax assistance site for low-income customers. He authored a children’s financial education book and interns at the Minnesota Council for Economic Education.
- Mary Kauffman: A senior at Regent Preparatory School, Mary is a lover of the Classics, with achievements in Latin and Greek. She is a co-captain of her academic bowl team and a member of her school’s speech and debate team.
- Julianna Jones: A senior at the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics, Julianna is interested in diabetes awareness and engineering. She is developing a novel insulin delivery device and teaches a course on diabetes pathophysiology and biomedical engineering.
- Ulyana Kubini: A senior at Fox Chapel Area High School, Ulyana advocates for the principles of liberty and individual rights. She is the Director of International Relations for a free market think tank and has been recognized as a Ben Carson Scholar and a recipient of the Horatio Alger Prize.
- Paul Mackay: A high school senior from Redmond, Washington, boarding at Dollar Academy in Scotland, Paul is Head Boy-elect and Pipe Sergeant of the seven-time world champion Dollar Academy Juvenile Pipe Band.
- Carson Collins: A freshman at Yale College, Carson pursued a homeschool curriculum while dual-enrolled at Austin Community College. He has written, filmed, and produced multiple short documentaries on America’s founding principles.
- Jonathan Dorminy: A freshman at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Jonathan is fascinated by radio and has won awards for his research on the impact of radio throughout history.
- James Dover: A freshman at Yale College, James shares in common with Grace Coolidge a commitment to the Deaf community. He designs projects and programs to allow parents of disabled children to implement individualized education programs and 504 plans within North Carolina school systems.
- Sidney Lin: A freshman at Brown University, Sidney has conducted stem cell research at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center and stroke data research.
- Akilan Sankaran: A freshman at Harvard College, Akilan has conducted extensive research in both pure and applied mathematics and is a classical pianist.
- Matthew Califano: A sophomore at Yale College, Matthew was named a 2023 Vermont Presidential Scholar in the Arts and has won numerous awards for his writing.
Key Takeaways for Applicants
- Start Early: The application is due on December 16, 2025, at 5:00 PM Pacific Time, so it's crucial to begin the application process well in advance.
- Understand Coolidge's Values: Familiarize yourself with the principles and beliefs that Calvin Coolidge championed, as these are central to the scholarship's selection criteria.
- Demonstrate Academic Excellence: Highlight your academic achievements and intellectual curiosity in your application.
- Show a Genuine Interest in Public Policy: Engage with public policy issues and demonstrate your commitment to understanding and addressing them.
- Emphasize Humility and Service: Showcase your contributions to your community and your commitment to serving others.
- Craft Thoughtful Essays: The essays are a critical component of the application, so dedicate ample time to writing clear, concise, and insightful responses.
- Review Required Readings: The Autobiography of Calvin Coolidge is a required reading and provides valuable insight into his life and philosophy.
Read also: Analyzing Ole Miss Enrollment Trends
tags: #Coolidge #Scholarship #application #statistics
