Naisha Chopra, a senior at North Royalton High School, has been named a semifinalist for the 2026 class of the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. In addition, she was awarded a $160,000 scholarship from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.
Chopra is one of 1,238 high school seniors who were selected as Coca-Cola semifinalists from a pool of over 107,000 submitted applications from across the country based on their academic excellence, leadership, and service demonstrated in school and community activities. Chopra is now moving to the next round of the selection process to become a Coca-Cola Scholar and receive a $20,000 college scholarship. The acceptance rate was 1.15% for Coca-Cola semifinalists this year.
A joint effort of Coca-Cola bottlers across the country and The Coca-Cola Company, the Coca-Cola Scholars Program is the largest corporate-sponsored, achievement-based scholarship program in the United States.
Semifinalists are now asked to complete Phase 2 applications, which include essays, a recommendation, and a transcript. An independent selection committee will review the applications and recommend 250 regional finalists in early January to take part in online interviews. 150 of the regional finalists will be named as Coke Scholars-select in late February and attend Coca-Cola Scholars Weekend in Atlanta, Georgia, April 23-26, 2026, where they will be the guests of honor at the 38th annual Coca-Cola Scholars Banquet and participate in the Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Development Institute facilitated by program alumni. Upon completion of Scholars Weekend in Atlanta, they will be named official Coca-Cola Scholars and receive a $20,000 college scholarship.
In addition to receiving college scholarships, those students selected as Coca-Cola Scholars will be welcomed into a vibrant and growing community of alumni that has become a powerful force for positive change in the world. Through networking, collaborations, and friendships, the group strives to make a greater impact together. Unique opportunities include a coaching program that partners seasoned alumni with first-year Scholars as they transition to college, professional and personal development programming, and a Coca-Cola Scholars Leadership Summit every five years.
Chopra also has been awarded the prestigious Rensselaer Medal and a substantial scholarship from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). This honor recognizes Chopra’s outstanding performance in mathematics and science, solidifying her position among the nation's top STEM students.
The Rensselaer Medal comes with a merit scholarship valued at $40,000 per year, guaranteed for four years, totaling $160,000 towards Chopra’s college education. This significant financial support opens doors to one of America's premier technological research universities.
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, known for its rigorous academic programs and cutting-edge research, boasts an impressive alumni network that includes six National Medal of Technology winners, five National Medal of Science winners, and a Nobel Prize winner in physics. The institution encompasses five schools, over 30 research centers, and offers more than 140 academic programs to 7,000 students.
Chopra is planning on majoring in business with a specialization in data analytics.