How Winning a $20,000 Merit-Based Scholarship Changed My Life—and Why America Needs More Meritocracy

As a teenager growing up in my parents’ small budget motel in inner-city Las Vegas, I learned first-hand the power of meritocracy. I attended public schools in one of the nation’s most underperforming districts – a system with a staggering ~40% dropout rate. Determined to break the mold, I poured hundreds of hours into studying for the SAT. The effort paid off: I raised my score from average to a perfect 2400, a feat achieved by only 0.02% of students. This academic triumph opened doors based on my abilities and hard work. I was admitted to prestigious universities and earned over $230,000 in scholarships – with the Coca-Cola Scholars Program award being the most significant of all. That honor in high school wasn’t just a financial boost; it was a validation that merit mattered more than my family background or connections.

My experience winning the Coca-Cola Scholarship exemplified how a meritocratic approach in education can uplift talented students from all walks of life. I had no special insider ties or advantages – just supportive parents, determination, and a resume of hard-won achievements. The Coca-Cola Scholars Program recognized those merits. In fact, I later even had the chance to visit the White House as a result of my academic and service accomplishments, an opportunity I could hardly have imagined as a kid in Las Vegas. This personal journey solidified my belief that when institutions reward achievement and potential above all else, it transforms lives. It certainly transformed mine, taking me from a local public school to becoming a Coca-Cola Scholar, a college graduate, an entrepreneur, and now the CEO of my own education company.

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program: A Model of Meritocracy in Education

The Coca-Cola Scholars Program stands out as a shining example of meritocracy in action. It’s the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the United States. Each year, 150 high school seniors are selected as Coca-Cola Scholars and receive a $20,000 college scholarship. What’s truly special is how these scholars are chosen – purely on merit and character. Students are recognized for their academic excellence, capacity to lead and serve, and commitment to making a positive impact on their schools and communities. In other words, it’s not about who you know or where you come from, but what you’ve done and what you’re capable of.

Some key features of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program that embody meritocratic principles include:

• Achievement-Based Selection: Applicants are evaluated on their accomplishments in academics, leadership, and service rather than any form of patronage. The foundation explicitly seeks out exceptional students dedicated to leadership and community action. In fact, children or grandchildren of Coca-Cola employees or affiliates are ineligible to apply, underscoring the program’s commitment to impartiality and avoiding any insider advantage.
• Competitive yet Fair Process: The scale of the program is immense – over 100,000 students apply each year. Fewer than 0.2% ultimately win (150 out of 100k+, “less than 1/6th of 1% of applicants” as noted for the Class of 2024), making it extremely competitive. However, competition is leveled by a regional selection system. Semifinalists and finalists are chosen from across all 50 states, meaning you’re largely competing against peers in your state or region rather than the entire nation at once. This regional allocation gives students from every community a fair shot and limits the dominance of any one high-pressure hub. A finalist from, say, Nevada (like I was) isn’t directly pitted against all the top students from New York or California – a design that increases everyone’s chances by keeping the playing field local and merit-based.
• Proven Impact and Reach: Since its inception 37 years ago, the program has empowered over 7,000 young people with more than $87 million in scholarships. This broad reach means meritocracy isn’t just a buzzword – it’s changing lives at scale. Coca-Cola Scholars hail from every corner of the country and go on to excel in diverse fields. The scholarship’s prestige also amplifies recipients’ academic and professional prospects. (For me, being a Coca-Cola Scholar helped in securing admissions and further opportunities during college.)
• Beyond Money – A Meritocratic Community: Coca-Cola Scholars don’t just receive funds and a trophy letter; they join a lifelong network of high achievers. Scholars are celebrated at a special Scholars Weekend in Atlanta, where they attend a leadership development institute and are honored at the annual Coca-Cola Scholars Banquet. They become part of a “Coke Scholars family”, a vibrant alumni network that offers mentorship, collaboration, and inspiration. For example, each new scholar is paired with seasoned alumni coaches to help guide their transition to college. Alumni convene every 5 years for a Summit to continue exchanging ideas and opportunities. This community is a prime example of meritocracy fostering further growth – a platform where who you become (through effort and talent) is what matters, and everyone is eager to help each other succeed.

Thanks to its meritocratic design, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program has a ripple effect. It not only funds students’ education but also boosts their confidence that ability and effort are rewarded. It serves as a model that educational institutions and scholarship programs across America can emulate to ensure fairness. When scholarships go to the most deserving students – regardless of their background – it encourages all students to work hard and dream big, knowing the system can recognize and reward them.

Encouraging Students to Earn Their Opportunities

In a time when stories of admissions scandals and favoritism in academia make headlines, it’s important to highlight programs that get it right. The Coca-Cola Scholarship is one every hardworking high school student should consider applying for. The application is open to all high school seniors meeting basic eligibility (such as a B average (3.0) GPA or higher and U.S. citizenship/permanent residency). The online application opens each year on August 1 and closes in late October of students’ senior year, making the start of senior year a crucial window. If you’re a student (or parent of one), mark your calendar and don’t miss that deadline. Yes, it’s highly competitive – but as discussed, the regional selection format means you’re really competing against peers in your area, and your chances are better than you might think in a nationwide contest. I often tell students: You can’t win if you don’t apply. Take the shot – I did, and it changed the trajectory of my life.

eyond Coca-Cola, the broader lesson is that merit-based opportunities are worth pursuing. Whether it’s scholarships, honors programs, or internships, seek out those that explicitly reward achievement and effort. Not only do you stand to earn tangible benefits, but you’ll also experience the empowering message that what you do counts more than who you areor where you started. That mindset will carry you far in life.

Bringing Meritocracy Back to Education and the Workplace

My advocacy for meritocracy doesn’t end with scholarships or college admissions – it extends into the professional world. After all, what is true in the classroom is just as true in the office: organizations thrive when they reward the best ideas and the hardest workers, not just the loudest voices or the most well-connected individuals. In recent years, there’s been growing concern that we’ve drifted from that ideal. From legacy preferences in college admissions to nepotism in hiring and promotion, too often decisions are influenced by factors other than merit. It’s time to course-correct.

A return to meritocracy in education and the workplace means creating systems where everyone has a fair chance to advance based on what they contribute. In practical terms, schools should continue eliminating unfair advantages and focus on holistic achievement, and companies should double down on performance-based evaluations and equal opportunity. The benefits of doing so are immense. Research shows that in meritocratic environments, individuals feel valued and motivated – they know their abilities are recognized and have incentives to keep improving. People who believe their environment is fair are more likely to collaborate, innovate, and go the extra mile. In contrast, when favoritism reigns, morale and trust erode quickly.

As a business leader, I strive to cultivate a merit-based culture at my own company, Prep Expert. We hire and promote team members based on demonstrated talent, results, and growth – reinforcing that hard work and skill will be rewarded. This approach has fueled our success (just as it fuels the success of many top organizations). I encourage other leaders to do the same: empower your people by recognizing their merits. It creates a positive feedback loop where everyone brings their best to the table.

Conclusion: Reward Achievement, Reap the Rewards

America has long championed the idea that if you work hard and excel, you can succeed. That’s the essence of the American Dream – and it hinges on meritocracy. My own story – from scoring that perfect SAT and winning a Coca-Cola Scholarship to building a company – is a testament to what’s possible when talent and effort are given their due. We must ensure the next generation gets the same shot, whether it’s through fair scholarships in education or unbiased advancement in the workplace.

Recommitting to meritocracy is not just about feel-good fairness; it’s about fueling excellence. When we reward achievement, we incentivize innovation and diligence across the board. Students push themselves to learn and lead. Employees strive to solve problems and create value. The result? Better schools, stronger companies, and a society where everyone – no matter their background – can climb as high as their merits will take them.

Let’s celebrate and expand programs like the Coca-Cola Scholars Program, which show us the way forward. By doubling down on merit-based education and business practices, America can live up to its ideals and unleash the full potential of its people. In the end, talent is everywhere; opportunity should be too. Embracing meritocracy ensures that the best and brightest get their chance to shine – to the benefit of all of us.

High school students: apply to that scholarship, study hard, lead in your community – your effort will pay off. And to leaders in education and industry: build systems that reward the deserving. If we do that, we’ll not only uplift individuals, but also drive unprecedented growth and innovation. Meritocracy works – I’m living proof – and it’s the path America should champion once again.

Dr. Shaan Patel, MD, MBA is the Founder & CEO of Prep Expert, a Shark Tank Winner, a #1 bestselling author, and a board-certified dermatologist.