After being offered over $1 million in assorted scholarships, and receiving acceptance notifications from more than 35 different educational institutions, Brainerd High School senior Maurquez Thompson has made a decision.
He has chosen the prestigious Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship and a full ride to Stanford University, one of the most esteemed institutions of higher learning in the United States. The California school is extremely selective, with an acceptance rate of only 4%.
“As a first-generation and low-income student, receiving $1.1 million in scholarships is unbelievable,” Thompson said. “Being able to afford college has been one of my biggest concerns; however, the Jack Kent Cooke scholarship will help cover the remaining costs of my post-secondary education. I only had to think about deciding on a best-fit college rather than picking the most affordable one. I am grateful to have been accepted into Stanford University on a full-ride scholarship. These acceptances are surreal as a young black male from an underserved community and Title 1 school.”
Thompson is an exceptional student who has set his sights on becoming an attorney and a future federal judge. He has been recognized for his dedication to his studies and passion for social justice. His selection as a recipient of the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship is a testament to his hard work and commitment to excellence.
Thompson, who said he plans to use his education to create positive change in his community, was accepted into UCLA, Morehouse College, Swarthmore College, Tuskegee University, Fisk University, Emory University, Colgate University, University of Southern California and Sewanee: University of the South–among others. The total value of all the scholarships and grants he was offered amounted to an impressive $1,083,648.
Since 2000, the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation has awarded almost $250 million in scholarships to nearly 3,200 students from 8th grade through graduate school, along with comprehensive academic advising, career pathway counseling and other support services. The Foundation has also provided $125 million in grants to organizations that serve such students. Thompson will receive up to $55,000 annually from the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation to cover costs associated with his undergraduate education at Stanford University.