Are there any mandatory requirements?

In November of 8th grade, new Cooke Young Scholars are required to attend Welcome Weekend with their Cohort (students admitted in the same year); Welcome Weekend is a Foundation-sponsored, in-person event that officially kicks off Scholars’ time in the program. Then, during the summer before 9th grade, Young Scholars are required to participate in the First Summer, a residential summer program on a college campus. In the summer before 12th grade, Cooke Young Scholars are required to participate in a multi-week program focused on mentorship, research, as well as college search & readiness; this program also takes place on a college campus.

In 10th and 11th grades, Cooke Young Scholars participate in residential summer enrichment programs with one of our several summer partner programs. Each month throughout the academic year, Cooke Young Scholars are expected to communicate and work closely with their designated Cooke Educational Adviser.