What is the most prestigious scholarship to apply for?

I'm a high school junior starting to look into scholarships, and I'm curious about the most prestigious ones out there. I want to aim high, so what would be considered the top scholarships in the U.S. that I should be aware of?

There are quite a few prestigious scholarships available for high school students in the United States. One that is often heralded as the most prestigious is the Rhodes Scholarship. This fully-funded scholarship provides all expenses for two to three years of study at the University of Oxford in England. However, this scholarship is intended for graduates, so it's one to keep in mind for the future.

If we're talking about scholarships for high school students specifically, the Regeneron Science Talent Search (formerly Intel STS) is one of the most esteemed. It awards students for their research skills in STEM fields and offers up to $2 million in awards annually.

Another highly prestigious scholarship is the Coca-Cola Scholars Program. This program rewards 150 high school seniors each year with a $20,000 scholarship. It is highly competitive, with an emphasis placed on leadership, service, and action that positively impacts others.

Known for its rigorous application process, the Gates Scholarship is also held in high regard. Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, it awards scholarships to high-performing, low-income students, covering their full tuition fees, room and board, books, and other expenses over five years.

Lastly, The Davidson Fellows Scholarship awards $10,000, $25,000, and $50,000 scholarships to students 18 and under who have completed significant work in Mathematics, Science, Technology, Music, Literature, Philosophy, or Outside The Box.

Remember, these are all highly competitive, so have a broad range of schools and scholarships that you're considering. Also, don't forget to search for scholarships specific to your intended field of study, local scholarships, or scholarships offered directly from the colleges you're applying to. Sometimes these can be less competitive but still provide significant financial assistance. Best of luck with your scholarship search!