The Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship: A Comprehensive Guide to Requirements and Opportunities
The Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship (CDB) is a four-year, merit-based high school scholarship that offers exceptionally gifted young people the opportunity to attend optimally matched high school programs. Funded by The Lynde and Harry Bradley Foundation, the scholarship aims to provide a nurturing, rigorous, and flexible learning environment suited to the individual academic needs and personal goals of its scholars. This article provides a detailed overview of the scholarship's requirements, application process, and the benefits it offers.
Overview of the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship
The Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship, administered by the Institute of Educational Advancement (IEA), targets exceptionally gifted young people who seek a rigorous, diversified high school program. It provides assistance to those who need help finding or attending the appropriate learning environment that will help them work towards and achieve their full potential. The scholarship is designed to support students with unique intellectual and personal needs by offering individualized support, educational advocacy, and a network of like-minded peers.
The scholarship began in 2002 with five students from the Greater Los Angeles and San Francisco areas and has since expanded nationally. It is a testament to the belief that exceptionally gifted young people thrive best in environments tailored to their specific academic and personal needs.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship, applicants must meet specific criteria that demonstrate their academic excellence and personal character.
- Citizenship: Applicants must be citizens of the United States of America.
- Academic Excellence: A Caroline D. Bradley Scholar is a young student who excels academically, displays a genuine quest for knowledge, and thrives in the discovery process.
- Leadership and Character: Candidates should be leaders among their peers and embrace the ideals of integrity, service, and honesty.
- Need for Assistance: The scholarship targets those exceptionally gifted young people who need assistance finding the optimal high school environment or may experience other challenges that prohibit attending an appropriate school.
The scholarship committee does not discriminate with regard to race, culture, socioeconomic background, gender, geography, or educational background.
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Application Process
The application process for the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship is rigorous and comprehensive, designed to identify students with exceptional potential.
- Portfolio Application: Applicants must submit a portfolio application by April 16, 2026, 8 p.m. PDT. A detailed description of all required application materials is available in the Application Checklist.
- Application Materials: The portfolio includes essays, middle school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and a work sample. Students apply for the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship in the seventh grade.
- Essays: Applicants are required to complete essays based on prompts provided by the CDB team. Although work will not be returned to applicants, photographs or copies of artwork are acceptable. Applicants are recommended to prepare their essay responses in a separate document and paste their responses into the application portal when ready.
- Examples of essay prompts include:
- Which of these character traits do you value the most and why: honesty, loyalty, compassion, generosity, wisdom? Who in your life emulates this trait?
- If you could give any historical or literary figure a piece of technology, what would it be, and what would the outcome be?
- Write about an academic subject that inspires you and explain why.
- Pick a question from a song title or lyric and give it your best answer.
- Every society has rules to ensure its success and the safety and happiness of its citizens’ lives. But of course, some rules should be broken or updated.
- Examples of essay prompts include:
- Standardized Testing: Each applicant is required to submit their two most recent state, district, or school-administered, standardized test results. Applicants must be in the top tier in at least ONE qualifying subtest or total battery/composite on a standardized test for the past two years. Students with no standardized testing record due to homeschooling or their school or program not administering standardized testing ARE still eligible to apply for the Scholarship.
- Alternative Testing Options: The CTD Above-Level Testing through Northwestern University dates are at full capacity. In lieu of the CTD Above Level Testing, the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship team will accept the CTD E-Tip Assessment (any SAT/ACT format) as well as the official SAT/ACT dates of 3/14/2026 (SAT), 4/11/2026 (ACT), 5/2/2026 (SAT).
- The Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship has partnered with Northwestern University’s Center for Talent Development to accept their above-level assessment to fulfill the CDB Testing requirement. This test is provided in partnership with Northwestern University Center for Talent Development at the cost of $75. Waiver codes are provided for families who have financial need and supporting documentation must be submitted to IEA and CDB directly. Accepted documents include: state issued Medicaid or State Aid card for the student, family tax returns or other government issued support documents.
- The SAT is accepted in lieu of the CTD Above Grade Level testing for those applying to the Class of 2031 Caroline D.
- The ACT is also accepted in lieu of the CTD Above Grade Level testing for those applying to the Class of 2031 Caroline D. The ACT no longer allows students under the age of 13 to register for their exam.
- Sending Scores: SAT scores should be sent to the Caroline D. Bradley Scholarship team.
- Semifinalist and Finalist Selection: The Scholarship Committee will review applications and announce Semifinalists in mid-May. The Committee will continue its review of Semifinalists’ applications and announce Finalists at the end of June.
- Personal Interview: Finalists will participate in a personal interview over the summer.
- Scholar Selection: The IEA Scholarship Team will select approximately 25 Caroline D. Bradley Scholars.
Benefits of the Scholarship
Caroline D. Bradley Scholars receive a comprehensive package of support and opportunities designed to foster their intellectual and personal growth.
- Four-Year High School Scholarship: Scholars receive a full four-year high school scholarship to an optimally matched high school program. The Scholarship can be used nationally toward any high school or approved alternative educational program that best fits the Scholar’s individual intellectual, academic, and personal needs and goals.
- Personalized Educational Counseling: Scholars receive consistent, ongoing, personalized educational counseling to support them through the high school selection and application process, their high school careers, the college application process, and beyond.
- Community of Intellectual Peers: CDB provides Scholars with a community of intellectual peers and a cross-generational support network. Through the honor and distinction of being a Caroline D. Bradley Scholar, students join a strong fellowship of lifelong learners - a community on which Scholars can rely for support, shared information, and networking for the rest of their lives.
- Individualized Support and Educational Advocacy: IEA’s Caroline D. Scholars receive individualized support, educational advocacy, and a network of like-minded peers.
- Access to Opportunities: Scholars have an outstanding record of post-high school national scholarships, college admissions, prestigious awards, internships, and fellowships along with job and career placement in areas suited to their studies and passions.
Expectations of Scholars
Caroline D. Bradley Scholars are expected to maintain strong academic standing and demonstrate behavior that is reflective of their personal best. Each Scholar enters into a contractual agreement with IEA detailing his or her commitment to a high level of academic and personal performance.
Financial Aid
Financial Aid is limited and considered on a case-by-case basis.
Webinar Information
The CDB team hosts informational webinars to provide general information regarding the application and offer a time for questions and answers. All webinars are online only and will be recorded.
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