**2016-2017 Questbridge NATIONAL COLLEGE MATCH Results**

Paying for College Access Programs (Questbridge, Posse)
1

Here is the (old) 2015-2016 QB College Match Results Thread: http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/questbridge-programs/1833620-2015-2016-questbridge-college-match-results-p1.html

Good luck to you all and post your results when you get them!
(If you are matched, please refrain from bragging in the “why you were matched area”, be encouraging, as many do not match. This is created to be a reference for future QB finalists.)

Remember to remove spaces in brackets before posting!!

[ size=6][ color=green][ b]Decision: Matched**[/color][/size]
[ size=6][ color=red][ b]Decision: Not Matched**[/color][/size]

[ b]Match to:**
[ b]Schools Ranked:**

[ b]Objective:**
[ list]
[ *] SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW):
[ *] ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci):
[ *] SAT II (Type, Score):
[ *] Weighted GPA (out of ??):
[ *] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):
[ *] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):
[ *] AP (place score in parenthesis):
[ *] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[ *] Senior Year Course Load:
[ *] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
[ /list]

[ b]Subjective:**
[ list]
[ *] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
[ *] Job/Work Experience:
[ *] Volunteer/Community service:
[ *] Summer Activities:
[ *] Essays:
[ *] Teacher Recommendations:
[ *] Counselor Rec:
[ /list]

[ b]Other**
[ list]
[ *] State (if domestic applicant):
[ *] School Type:
[ *] Ethnicity:
[ *] Gender:
[ *] Income Bracket:
[ *] Assets:
[ *] Property:
[ *] Extenuating Circumstances:
[ *] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
[ /list]

[ b]Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments:**

2

Decision: Not Matched

Schools Ranked: Yale, Princeton, Penn, Columbia, Dartmouth, Brown, Vanderbilt, Duke

[ b]Objective:**
[ list]
[ *] SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): 1410 New
[ *] ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): 32, 33 Superscore
[ *] SAT II (Type, Score): Literature 660, Math 1 630
[ *] Weighted GPA (out of ??): 5.29
[ *] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
[ *] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/76
[ *] AP (place score in parenthesis): Not worth it
[ *] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[ *] Senior Year Course Load:
[ *] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
[ /list]

[ b]Subjective:**
[ list]
[ *] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
[ *] Job/Work Experience:
[ *] Volunteer/Community service:
[ *] Summer Activities:
[ *] Essays:
[ *] Teacher Recommendations:
[ *] Counselor Rec:
[ /list]

[ b]Other**
[ list]
[ *] State (if domestic applicant): FL
[ *] School Type: Online Public
[ *] Ethnicity: Asian (Indian)
[ *] Gender: Male
[ *] Income Bracket: Under $30,000
[ *] Assets: N/A
[ *] Property: N/A
[ *] Extenuating Circumstances:
[ *] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First gen
[ /list]

[ b]Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments:** Tough luck, but I also applied to schools way out of reach. That’s what the match is for. Recs and extracurriculars are nothing special

3

Decision: Not Matched

Schools Ranked: Yale, University of Chicago, Vanderbilt, Duke, Davidson

Objective:

  • SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): 610 M, 710 CR, I didn’t bother submitting these
  • ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): C31, W27, E31, M28, R32, S33
  • SAT II (Type, Score): I didn’t bother submitting these either
  • Weighted GPA (out of ??): 4.8 out of 6
  • Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.8
  • Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 4 out of 55
  • AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Psych (4), AP Bio (3), APHUG (5), APUSH (3), APCSP, AP Lit
  • IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
  • Senior Year Course Load: College Stats, College American Lit, College Art History, College Psychology, APCSP, Senior Seminar, French II, French III, Art II, AP Lit
  • Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar with honors

Subjective:

  • Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Science Olympiad (Captain), Art Club (President), Student Senate (Secretary), NHS (Press Release Chairman), Beta (Press Release Chairman), Reporter for the student newspaper
  • Job/Work Experience: Work at Subway 20 hours a week, am about to start working in the local art museum gift shop, used to work at KFC
  • Volunteer/Community service: I teach summer camps during the summer at the art museum (60+ hours a summer), I am starting an art program for abused women, I deliver leftover Subway bread to the local soup kitchen, and I coordinate a yearly school supply fundraiser. I am also doing a stuffed animal fundraiser for the hospital burn unit right now, and I am a regular blood donor.
  • Summer Activities: I usually travel with my aunt who is a flight attendant, work, and go to whatever free summer camps I can find, I also teach at the art museum.
  • Essays: 10/10
  • Teacher Recommendations: 7/10
  • Counselor Rec: 10/10

Other:

  • State (if domestic applicant): North Carolina
  • School Type: Public Magnet
  • Ethnicity: White
  • Gender: Female
  • Income Bracket: <45,000
  • Assets: None
  • Property: House, 92,000 owed
  • Extenuating Circumstances: Single mom with no child support
  • Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First generation

Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments:
I applied to mostly reach schools, so it is not a surprise I didn’t get a full ride. However, I will most likely get into somewhere using Questbridge and am still very excited to be a finalist. Congratulations to all who matched!

4

Decision: Not Matched

Schools Ranked: Stanford, MIT, Caltech, Princeton, Columbia, University of Chicago, Yale, University of Pennsylvania, Brown, USC, Pomona, Duke

Objective:

  • [] SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): 1470 Comp, 6 Reading 5 Analysis 6 Writing, 720 CR, 750 M
    [    ] ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): 32 Comp, 24 Essay, 31 Eng, 32 Math, 34 Read, 32 Sci; 32 Comp, 26 Essay, 30 Eng, 35 Math, 34 Read, 30 Sci; Superscore 33
    [] SAT II (Type, Score): 800 Math II, 710 Physics
    [    ] Weighted GPA (out of ??): 4.32 9-12 and 4.63 10-12 (out of 5.0)
    [] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.86
    [    ] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): <= 4% (School only notifies you of class rank if you’re within the top 4%)
    [] AP (place score in parenthesis): 5 AP Comp Sci, 5 AP Euro, 5 AP Lang, 5 AP Stats, 5 AP Calc AB
    [    ] IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
    [] Senior Year Course Load: Calculus 3 w/ Differential Equations, AP English Literature, AP Physics C Mechanics, AP Macroeconomics w/ US Government, French 3 Honors, Internship Academy, free period, Digital Photography (taking at community college), PE (taking online)
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Nothing much other than First Tech Challenge Dean’s List Semifinalist, QB Fein Fellow, and AP Scholar w/ Distinction. Also got a school award for being in the top 4% of my class.

Subjective:

  • [] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): FIRST Robotics (Captain of 1 team and president of 3 teams, been involved for 8 years), Animation Club (Lead writer, 10th grade), Juggling Club, Working to start a interschool First Robotics Challenge team
    [    ] Job/Work Experience: Worked at a theme park as an education associate and taught robotics experiences and facilitated other educational opportunities (11th – 12th), interning for a microscopy company where I performed research for a university and some companies in Boyden Chamber Migration Imaging and TIRFM (12th), interned for a local congressional campaign and now am working to develop an app to improve the efficiency of the campaigning process (12th), counselor for a robotics summer camp (10th – 12th, 100 hrs per summer), tutor 5 people in math and physics (11th – 12th), working with an elementary school in a neighboring district to establish and teach a robotics program (12th)
    [] Volunteer/Community service: I judge and referee First Lego League tournaments for FIRST California (9th – 12th), I mentor two First Lego League robotics teams (9th – 12th), I volunteered to be a visual performed for marching band (12th), I volunteered for my local library’s summer reading program (11th – 12th), and I volunteer at local STEM outreach events (9th – 12th)
    [    ] Summer Activities: I took Calc 2 at a community college, was a counselor for a robotics summer camp, worked at Legoland, volunteered at library, and worked on open-source programming projects
    [] Essays: 800 word QB essay was about my passion to work on artificial intelligence and my passion for robotics. It’s probably 8-9/10. My other QB essay was about meeting my dad for the first time and how that changed me. That one’s also an 8-9/10. My common app was an expanded version of my second QB essay and is a 9/10. I tried to be completely honest about who I am and all that. I wrote my supplements during a week and a half long daze that I barely remember, so it’s hard to say. Some schools were prob an 8-9/10, but others were a 5-7/10 depending on my motivation each day.
    [    ] Teacher Recommendations: 9-10/10 from my programming teacher/robotics coach, 7-8/10 from my stats teacher
    [] Counselor Recommendation: 6-7/10 from my counselor as she’s new, but we get along pretty well
    [    ] Other Recommendations: 10/10 from the CEO of the microscopy company I’m interning for, 6-7/10 from the intern coordinator for my congressional campaign internship

Other

[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): CA
[] School Type: public (around 2500-3000 people)
[] Ethnicity: Caucasian
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: < 45,000 for a household of two
[] Assets: None
[] Property: Co-own house with grandma, we own about a $100k share
[] Extenuating Circumstances: Single mom with no child support and I had to support household financially while mom was unemployed
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Not first generation or an underrepresented minority.[/li][/ul]

Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments: I think that I was not matched because my test scores are prob too low and my family’s income might be too much. I also applied to mostly reach schools, so I’m not surprised I didn’t get matched. Good luck to everyone during early action and regular decision!

5

Decision: Matched

Matched to: the University of Chicago
Schools Ranked: Columbia, UPenn, Brown, UChicago, Northwestern, USC, Duke, and Tufts

Objective:

  • [] SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): N/A
    [    ] ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): 33C (36E, 33M, 31R, 33S)
    [] SAT II (Type, Score): N/A
    [    ] Weighted GPA (out of ??): 5.0326/6
    [] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.81
    [    ] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 7/264
    [] AP (place score in parenthesis): 3 (AP Bio), 3 (AP World), 4 (APUSH), 4 (AP Lang), 5 (AP Psych)
    [    ] IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
    [] Senior Year Course Load: AP Stats, AP U.S. Govt., AP Comp. Sci. Principles, AP Enviro, AP Lit, Game Simulation II Hon, Journalism I Hon, Economics Hon, College Algebra
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): “Major” awards? Hmm… National Merit Commended Scholar, I guess?

Subjective:

  • [] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): YouTube content creator, French Club (treasurer), the National Exchange Club (secretary), the National Honor Society, the National English Honor Society, the Young Scholar Academy’s Think Tank, & the Film and Technical Association (historian)
    [    ] Job/Work Experience: None.
    [] Volunteer/Community service: Routine volunteering at local middle school (100+ hours) and some volunteering at a nearby animal shelter.
    [    ] Summer Activities: None.
  • Essays:
    Common App essay: 9.7/10. (Yeah. You read that right. A decimal rating!)
    My Common App essay was very scattershot and lacked a particular topic, but I genuinely believed it worked to my advantage; it was essentially a “background information” story comprising a recount of Hurricane Wilma, Lady Gaga, and grade school head lice checks. It was different than any Common App essay I have ever read, but it was also fairly risky, as it lacked conventional “structure” or a (generic) “purpose”.

    QB essays: My Common app essay was one of my QuestBridge essays. The other QuestBridge essay revolved around a religious… “disagreement” I had with my Islamic mother (with me being an atheist). It was definitely more cohesive than my Common App essay, but I didn’t like it quite as much. 8.6/10.
    QB short answers: I put Ted Bundy as the one historical figure I would like to meet. I think that’s enough said.

    UChicago essay: 9.9/10. (Of course, it’d be egotistical to give myself a 10!)
    It was the most “free form” essay I have ever written. The prompt was “What Is So Odd About Odd Numbers?”, and I had nothing planned for the essay going in. It somehow turned into a cultural analysis concerning the societal ostracization of odd numbers, and how they are unfairly stereotyped by their communal name. Now that I read it, I find myself vacillating between “What the hell were you thinking?” and “This is pretty good!”.

    “Why UChicago?” essay: 9.2/10. I spent most of it talking about my educational “targets”/interests – political science and statistics, primarily. But I also made this spur-of-the-moment reference to American Football, one of my favorite indie rock bands, asserting that my deciding factor for attending the university was that they were within a 150-mile radius of Urbana, the origin of my ninth favorite indie rock band. I kid you not.

    I also did the “optional” supplement, in which I submitted a ranked list of my twenty favorite albums, adding a brief explanation for my favorite one. (It’s “In Rainbows” by Radiohead, in case you wanted to know.)

    [] Teacher Recommendations: Recommendation #1: 8/10. My English teacher in ninth grade. And my gifted counselor. We’re pretty tight.
    Recommendation #2: 10/10. I have no idea what my APUSH teacher put in his recommendation, but I was his “student of the year” in eleventh grade, and he uses my notes as teaching instructions in his class. He’s one of my favorite people alive.
    [    ] Counselor Rec: 9/10. I have a solid relationship with my counselor, so I’m positive she wrote a stellar recommendation.

Other

[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): Florida
[] School Type: Magnet school. And one of the best public high schools in the state.
[] Ethnicity: Hispanic (and Middle Eastern, if that counts as an ethnicity.)
[] Gender: Male.
[] Income: Right around $40,000/yr for a family of four.
[] Assets: None.
[] Property: None.
[] Extenuating Circumstances: None.
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, I suppose.[/li][/ul]

Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments:
My essays. Definitely. Stating that they were “ballsy” is an understatement. Nevertheless, my essays genuinely channeled my personality. I showed some of my supplements to a few close friends, and they all said something along the lines of, “That is so you!”
I’m sarcastic. I make jokes. So, in my essays, I was sarcastic, and I made jokes.

Essays are crucial to the admissions process. It’s the primary way–if not the only way–you’re able to showcase how you are. Here’s my advice: Make it seem like you’re not just a machine that manages to spit out standardized test scores in the 99th percentile. Make your application yours. Don’t try to mold your essays into conventionality. Write like you’re talking to your best friend (minus the potential expletives). Colleges admit people. Not androids. (Not yet, at least!)

Anyhow, I’ll get off my soapbox now. My sincerest congratulations to everyone who got matched.
And to those who didn’t, best of luck to you in the RD round. You guys are among the most qualified students in the nation. Don’t forget that!

6

Decision: Matched

Match to: University of Southern California
**Schools Ranked: Stanford University **

Objective:

  • [] SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): 1350 (New SAT)
    [    ] ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): 30 (E: 34, M: 29, R: 31, S:26)
    [] SAT II (Type, Score):
    [    ] Weighted GPA (out of ??): 5.05/6
    [] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.96/4
    [    ] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1
    [] AP (place score in parenthesis): AP biology (4), AP Spanish (5)
    [    ] IB (place score in parenthesis):
    [] Senior Year Course Load: AICE Marine Science, AP Government, AICE Global Perspectives, Electrocardiograph Technician III, (AICE courses are equivalent to AP and popular in FL), lit and math courses at nearby college
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):

Subjective:

[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): National Honor Society (President), HOSA, Volleyball (Captain) nothing really special
[] Job/Work Experience: Manager at local grocery store
[] Volunteer/Community service: 150+ hours
[] Summer Activities: volleyball camps, internships at doctor’s offices, junior olympics for volleyball
[] Essays: 9/10 I tried to push the envelope and I really showcased my personal voice
[] Teacher Recommendations: 9/10 my teachers wrote amazing rec letters
[li] Counselor Rec: She’s new this year so not sure[/li][/ul]

Other

[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): FL
[] School Type: big public school with 80% minority
[] Ethnicity: Hispanic
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: < $25,000
[] Assets: $0
[] Property: $0
[] Extenuating Circumstances: I was homeless when I was younger I work 40 hour weeks to support family
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First generation, previously homeless[/li][/ul]

Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments: My essays definitely are what I think got me in it really showcased my voice, as well as my resilience and basically showed how hard I worked to be where I’m at now. I’m just really happy that I’m done with the college process, and wish the best for others who want to dream big. It doesn’t matter if your grades are low or if your test scores are low, dream big and give it all you got!

7

Decision: Matched

Match to: University of Pennsylvania Engineering and Applied Science
**Schools Ranked: Princeton, Columbia, Yale, UPenn, Northwestern, Duke, Dartmouth, Rice, Vanderbilt, Tufts **

Objective:

  • [] SAT I(Old SAT) (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): 2280, ?, 710, 800, 750
    [    ] ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): 35, ?, 35, 35, 35, 35
    [] SAT II (Type, Score): Math 2: 750, Chem: 770
    [    ] Weighted GPA (out of ??): ~4.3
    [] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): ~3.9
    [    ] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): unknown
    [] AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc AB (5), Chem (4), Lang (4), Spanish Lang (3)
    [    ] IB (place score in parenthesis):
    [] Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc BC, AP Physics, AP Bio, AP Comp Sci, AP Lit, History Elective, Concert Band
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): In-school academic, athletic, and art awards

Subjective:

  • [] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Student Body Vice President, Varsity Soccer, Varsity Basketball (Captain), Varsity Lacrosse (Captain), Band (1st chair), Jazz Band Club (president)
    [    ] Job/Work Experience: none
    [] Volunteer/Community service: Korean language classes at local Korean church
    [    ] Summer Activities: Yale Young Global Scholars Program: Applied Science and Engineering (amazing experience, you have to apply)
    [li] Essays: Common App/Questbridge (used same virtually same essay, had to cut 150 words for CA)[/li]9/10 = My essay wasn’t extraordinarily eloquently written. I spoke in my own voice and just told my story. I’m an Korean American immigrant living in Wyoming, so I focused my piece on how I balance the two cultures in my life.

    [] Teacher Recommendations: 10/10, I knew my teachers for several years (one was a coach, the other was my advisor) and they were both teaching academic courses (English and Chemistry). I was very close friends with them and pretty much my parents away from home (I go to a boarding school)
    [    ] Counselor Rec: 9/10, I had a brand new counselor come to the school this year, but I quickly developed a good friendship with her and I think my rec was pretty good.

[ b]Other**

[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): Wyoming
[] School Type: Private Boarding
[] Ethnicity: Asian
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: 30k-35k
[] Assets: I’m not sure
[] Property: None (we live in a church parsonage)
[] Extenuating Circumstances:
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): sort-of first generation college (my parents went to college in Korea so it counts under QB’s definition)[/li][/ul]

[ b]Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments:** Coming from Wyoming definitely helped. But I think my essays really told my story, even the supplement I wrote for Penn was really descriptive of why I fell in love with science. And my course load suggested that as well. Penn was also one of the only schools I did an interview for, and it must have definitely helped.

8

Decision: Matched

Match to: University of Chicago
Schools Ranked: MIT, Stanford, UChicago, Dartmouth, Rice, Pomona, Tufts, Emory, Columbia, Brown, Claremont McKenna, Duke

Objective:

[ul]
[] SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): 1450, 20, 720, 730
[] Weighted GPA (out of ??):4.1/6.0
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.51
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 77th percentile out of 38 students
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Computer Science (4), AP Calculus AB (5), AP Calculus BC (5, BC Score 5), AP English Language and Composition (5), AP Chemistry (4), AP US History (4)
[] Senior Year Course Load: AP Statistics, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Macroeconomics, AP US Government and Politics, Honors Creative Writing, Object Oriented Programming in C++ (Dual Enrollment), Internship
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): In-School academic awards, Elie Wiesel Essay in Ethics Finalist[/li][/ul]

Subjective:

  • [] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): SHAPE (President), Mu Alpha Theta (President), Speech and Debate (Head of Debate), National English Honor Society, National Honor Society
    [    ] Job/Work Experience: Internships through school
    [] Volunteer/Community service: Approx. 100 hours through various small tasks
    [    ] Essays: I remember when writing my UChicago Essay 1, I had a massive problem: I couldn’t get it to flow. I ended up scrapping four or five attempts at the essay. In the end, my first essay turned out really well. As did my second. I’d put them very high on my applications as reasons for my admission.
    [] Teacher Recommendations: I had my English teacher and Math teacher who saw me most throughout my years in high school. I had another teacher I would have asked for a recommendation, but the other two already had recommendation letters written and it would have been too short notice.
    [    ] Counselor Rec: I have not looked at her recommendation letter for me, but I assume she wrote a shining letter.

Other

[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): Florida
[] School Type: Public
[] Ethnicity: Hispanic
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: ~20k
[] Assets: Practically none
[] Property: Practically none
[] Extenuating Circumstances: None
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First generation immigrant and first to go to college including extended family[/li][/ul]

**Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments: I believe I was matched because of my essays. Especially with UChicago, their essays are a must. If you want UChicago, make sure you spend some time to develop a unique and telling essay about something close to you. Their creative Essay 1 will be killer. Essay 2 should be relatively easy. I spoke about the Core, the city, and the clubs. While writing essay 2, I framed it so that the school fit me before, not that I fit into the school. Another thing is to not be discouraged if you don’t have great grades. As long as your numbers aren’t incredibly low, you can get in with an amazing essay.

I also had an alumni interview. I felt that I left a great impression on him and that contributed greatly to my success. GET AN ALUMNI INTERVIEW IF YOU CAN. At least express interest. They can be good fun.

Good Luck!**

9

Decision: Not Matched

Schools Ranked: MIT, CalTech, Dartmouth, Stanford, Bowdoin, Columbia, Swarthmore, Williams, Northwestern, Yale

Objective:

[ul]
[] SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): 2130, 700, 800, 630 (I didn’t submit this to colleges though)
[] ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): 35, 10, 36, 34, 35, 34
[] SAT II (Type, Score): ML2 (800), Chem(750)
[] Weighted GPA (out of ??): 4.317/4.33 (our school calculates weird)
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.94/4.00
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 4/276
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): USH(4) Stats (3) US Gov (5) Chem(5) Lang (5)
[] Senior Year Course Load: AP Lit, AP Phys 1/2, AP Euro, AP Calc BC, French IV
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit commended, AP Scholar with distinction (lame)[/li][/ul]

Subjective:

[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Boy Scouts of America (JASM, Life Scout), Varsity Swim my first two years. Debate(President, qualified for States and Nationals), Quiz Bowl (President, Division Champs), NHS (VP/Chair of Tutoring Committee)
[] Job/Work Experience: HA, I did some web design for my brother but it was quite informal.
[] Volunteer/Community service: All through NHS and BSA
[] Summer Activities: Club Swimming, independent study of Comp Sci, Phys, Math, Summer Camp for BSA
[] Essays: These averaged out to a (7). I put effort into them, but not as much as I could have. I’m also an awful writer when it comes to something along the lines of an application essay.
[] Teacher Recommendation: First one was a solid (9), he has been a part of a lot of successful applications. My chem teacher was maybe a (7/8). We are really close, but he isn’t an incredible writer (like the rest of us STEM geeks).
[li] Counselor Rec: Maybe a (6)? I want to say lower because she wrote it pretty quickly and is relatively new to the job.[/li][/ul]

Other

[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): Ohio
[] School Type: Public
[] Ethnicity: White
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: 20k-30k
[] Assets: 0
[] Property: 0
[] Extenuating Circumstances: Separated parents, mother suffered from workplace injury, have to care for autistic younger brother.
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): I kinda look like Matt Damon.[/li][/ul]

Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments: In all honesty, the pool of QB Finalists is one of the most incredible groups I can claim to be a part of. Compared to my fellow finalists, I was the least deserving of a match scholarship. I like to tell myself that the students who got matched needed it the most and I’ll do just fine when RD rolls around. Congrats to all those who matched!!! For the rests of us, it only goes up from here!

10

Decision: Matched

Match to: Wesleyan
**Schools Ranked:/b USC, Tufts, Dartmouth, Notre Dame, Virginia, Wesleyan, Swarthmore, Carleton, Davidson, Grinnell

Objective:

  • [] SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): 1330 composite
    [    ] ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): 29 composite, 34 english, 31 math, 23 reading, science 26
    [] SAT II (Type, Score): Didn’t take
    [    ] Weighted GPA (out of ??): School doesn’t calculate
    [] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
    [    ] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/50
    [] AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Bio (3)- I had a 99 in this class, so I’ll assume the teacher was the odd man out.
    [    ] IB (place score in parenthesis): School doesn’t offer
    [] Senior Year Course Load: College Algebra, College English Comp 1, College English Comp 2, College Psychology, English 4, Anatomy, Physiology, Speech/Debate, Theater, Medical Interventions (basically AP anatomy), Biomedical Innovations (year-long research project class), AP Chem, AP Calc.
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Hispanic Scholar, two-time All-State cast member in theater, 1st in Domestic Extemporaneous Speaking @ State Speech/Debate Tournament (a lot of 2nd’s and 3rd’s in OO and CX), won essay contest for a trip to DC this summer, HOSA community service achievement award, highest average in several classes, etc.

Subjective:

[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Speech (president, point keeper), Debate (captain), Theater, Civic Club (president, founder), HOSA (VP), Student government (boy rep., VP), etc. (various other clubs I didn’t list because I don’t care for them)
[] Job/Work Experience: I worked at a local community college over the summer in order to afford tuition fees for attendance the following year.
[] Volunteer/Community service: 150+ hours of lecturing at science camp, tutoring, and aiding the elderly @ retirement home
[] Summer Activities: Work, volunteer service, questbridge application (I spend 3 months on those essays)
[] Essays: Biographical: I talked about how being homeless as a boy catalyzed my desire for financial stability. Ethical dilemma: I cover my experiences with a school system which viewed merely being white as a punishable offense. Subsequently, I noted white supremacy at a different school and detail why neither is advantageous.
[] Teacher Recommendations: Teacher 1: Good. She exhibits peaked interests in my academic success. Teacher 2: Meh. He doesn’t seem to like me, but I had the highest average in every class with him.
[li] Counselor Rec: Poor. She can’t express her opinions of me in an original manner. Nonetheless, I appreciate her support. [/li][/ul]

Other

[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): Oklahoma
[] School Type: Very small FOOTBALL school
[] Ethnicity: Hispanic
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: <$30,000
[] Assets: None
[] Property: None
[] Extenuating Circumstances: Homeless when younger
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Genwunner[/li][/ul]

Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments: I assume my acceptance’s explanation embeds itself in the quality of essay and sheer amount of extracurricular achievement.

11

Decision: Matched

Match to: Grinnell!
Schools Ranked: Wellesley, Grinnell, Colorado, Swarthmore, Amherst, Vassar, Scripps, Dartmouth, Bowdoin, Yale, Haverford, Pomona

Objective:

  • [] SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): 1710, 9(?), 560, 520, 630 (Junior year was interesting. I hated the SAT and never took it again after this)
    [    ] ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): 29, 20, 33, 28, 29, 27
    [] SAT II (Type, Score): Bio E - 640, Lit - 630, US History - 690
    [    ] Weighted GPA (out of ??): 3.55
    [] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.25
    [    ] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): school doesn’t rank
    [] AP (place score in parenthesis): Euro (3), Art History (2), US History (3)
    [    ] IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
    [] Senior Year Course Load: Yearbook, AP Stats, APES, AP Lit, AP Psych, AP Gov
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Posse Semifinalist, QB Finalist

Subjective:

[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Comedy Club (Founder and President since 11th), Catholic Youth Organization (President, 12th), Quiz Bowl (Treasurer, 12th), Ping Pong Club (Secretary and Treasurer, 12th), Film Club (Secretary, 12th)
[] Job/Work Experience: n/a
[] Volunteer/Community service: CYO
[] Summer Activities: took precalc over the summer at a local college to take Stats, went to trivia night every Wednesday for 8 weeks
[] Essays: 800 - learning not to sacrifice my education for friendship, 500 - destroying last year’s seniors in trivia on our school’s Spirit day
[] Teacher Recommendations: English and Chemistry teachers, 10 I guess
[li] Counselor Rec: 10, she loves me[/li][/ul]

Other

[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): LA
[] School Type: public school
[] Ethnicity: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WFY2kJ96jNY
[] Gender: XX
[] Income Bracket: <$50k (contrary to what I thought last month)
[] Assets: n/a
[] Property: n/a
[] Extenuating Circumstances: My grades slipped sophomore year because three of my relatives died within four weeks of each other
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM (aye), first gen[/li][/ul]

Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments: My personality is fire. I am over the moon, stars, and the rest of the Milky Way Galaxy, really. Now I get to eat all of the birthday cake ice cream I want at Grinnell and NO ONE CAN STOP ME! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!! Also, it also goes to show that grades are only numbers and personality and showing that you actually give a damn about your education (i.e. trying your best and never giving up) is what matters to college admission officers. Grinnell 2021 y’all

12

Decision: Matched

Match to: Yale
Schools Ranked (In Order): Yale, Stanford, Princeton, Columbia, U Penn, Brown, Dartmouth

Objective:

  • [] SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): Composite: 1520, Essay: 22 (8/7/7), CR/W - 720, M - 800
    [    ] ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): Composite: 35, Essay: 9, English: 35, Math: 35, Reading: 33, Science: 35
    [] SAT II (Type, Score): Bio M (790) and Math Level 2 (800)
    [    ] Weighted GPA (out of ??): School does not calculate weighted GPA.
    [] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
    [    ] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 3/603
    [] AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Biology (4), AP Human Geography (5), AP Microeconomics (4), AP World History (5), AP Language and Composition (4), AP European History (4), AP Environmental Science (5), AP Physics 1 (5), AP Statistics (5), AP Psychology (4), AP Literature and Composition (4), AP U.S History (5), AP Calculus AB (5)
    [    ] IB (place score in parenthesis): School does not offer IB courses.
    [] Senior Year Course Load: AP Comparative Government, AP Physics C: Mechanics, AP Calculus BC, AP Seminar, AP Macroeconomics/AP American Government, Advanced Composition, Advanced Production (Advanced Theatre)
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar (9th), AP Scholar with Distinction (10th), National AP Scholar (11th), AP Scholar with Distinction (11th), Best Supporting Actor (10th), First Place in School Level Poetry Out Loud competition (10th), etc.

Subjective:

[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): AP Club (Founder, Secretary (9th, 10th, 11th) and CEO (12th)), National Honor Society (Historian (12th)), Korean Club (Founder and President (12th)), Theatre (Many lead roles in plays and musicals), Mu Alpha Theta (Member (10th, 11th, 12th))
[] Job/Work Experience: None
[] Volunteer/Community service: A total of ~250 hours of community service. I volunteer at my local theater, running concessions and ushering. I also tutor AP Biology for community service hours.
[] Summer Activities: Summer Bridge program during summer before 9th grade and 10th grade. The program was at my school and was about two weeks of free extra classes that I took to help me in AP for next year. Before 11th grade, during the summer, I tutored SAT Math and continued to volunteer at my local theater. Before 12th grade, I auditioned for a talent scholarship for a musical theatre camp at that same local theater and was able to go to the camp for completely free! It was a three week program that ended with four performances of The Wiz.
[] Essays: My biographical essay was about how my father took care of me as a single parent. My 500 word essay was about a proud achievement. It was about how I was very shy before I auditioned for an Advanced Theatre class in 8th grade. I got into the class, and it completely changed the way I looked at life. I became more open and willing to talk with people. On top of that, I began to accept my insecurities as my own.
[] Teacher Recommendations: My English teacher has been with me for all 4 years in high school, and she told me end of junior year that her rec letter was already 3 pages long. I give it a 10/10, I really think her rec letter probably got me in alone. My Physics teacher from Junior year was my second rec. He saw me struggle very hard in Physics, but he also saw how much I worked to learn the content. I ended up making a 5 on the exam, and I heard he writes phenomenal recs. I would give this a 9/10, just because I’m sure that it was good, but I’m not sure what it might have been about. These ratings might be a bit high or a bit low because I waived my right to read them!
[li] Counselor Rec: My Counselor rec was very… template-based. How I know this is that this is my counselor’s first year at my school, and she has given out recs to other people that are template-based. I would give it a 5/10, good in showing my achievements and extracurriculars, but not personal. [/li][/ul]

Other

[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): Georgia
[] School Type: Public
[] Ethnicity: Asian (Korean)
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: Our income is ~50K
[] Assets: None
[] Property: Our home
[] Extenuating Circumstances: None that I can think of.
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): I am a first generation college student. My parents both came from Korea, so I am a second generation immigrant. [/li][/ul]

Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments: I honestly opened my QB Match Decision expecting to not get matched anywhere… Sure, my grades were up to par for my schools, but the probability of getting in was very daunting to me. I think I got in from my essays and the tone of voice I had in them… in addition to that, I can’t help but think that my teacher recs were a large factor in the decision.

To next year’s applicants seeing this thread. I want to say that it might seem very daunting at first. All of these high numbers and these amazing stories on ALL of these posts. However, do realize that you have your own voice and that you have your own story. I think the beauty of QB is that, even if you don’t get matched, you have the potential to truly find out who you are. I know while writing my essays, I had some moments of self-discovery. Relax and really show them who YOU are. That’s what colleges want to see, your story.

To those matched, congratulations!! To those not, breathe! It’s not the end! Every single one of you are QB Finalists, and that in itself is a very large achievement. I wish you luck in Regular Decision.

Edited for privacy reasons
ED

13

Decision: Matched

**Match to: Stanford **
**Schools Ranked: Stanford, Yale, MIT, Princeton (in that order) **

Objective:

  • [] SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): Comp: 1440, Essay 23/24, CR/W: 680, M: 760
    [    ] ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): Comp: 30, Essay: 29, English: 33, Math: 32, Reading: 29, Science: 27
    [] SAT II (Type, Score): Math Level II: 780, US History: 680, Biology M: 680, Spanish:610
    [    ] Weighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.62
    [] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.93
    [    ] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1 or 2
    [] AP (place score in parenthesis): Biology (3), European History (3), Art History (4), Calc AB (5), US History (5), Eng Lang Composition (5)
    [    ] IB (place score in parenthesis): Not offered at school
    [] Senior Year Course Load: AP US Govt. and Politics, AP Spanish Lang., AP Calc BC, AP Lit, AP Psych, & Hon. Physics
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): lol AP Scholar w/Distinction, a lot of local awards

Subjective:

[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Ones I listed on Common App/Questbridge: Academic Team (9-12, Captain 9th), CSF (9-12, Pres 11-12), MUN (11-12, delegate 11, pres 12), created a website (11-12), Word Culture Club (10-12, creator/pres), student delegate for school council (11-12), writer on school’s newspaper (12), Robotics (12)
[] Job/Work Experience:
[] Volunteer/Community service: Tutor (10-12), server at VFW post (10-12)
[] Summer Activities: Went to community events, learned new things, did homework :slight_smile:
[] Essays: Bio (8/10): talked about the most significant events and how they impacted me being proactive and helping me clarify what I want to do in the future; I’m not really comfortable posting the story online; sorry! Proudest achievement one (9/10): cooking pancakes
[] Teacher Recommendations: English Teacher (9/10)-- she writes phenomenal letters for everyone; Math Teacher (9/10)-- counselor told me it went well with my bio essay
[li] Counselor Rec: 7/10, my counselor barely knew me (as is the case with most seniors)[/li][/ul]

Other

[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): CA
[] School Type: Public school with ~2400 students, ~400 seniors
[] Ethnicity: Cambodian
[] Gender: Female
[] Income Bracket: $40,000-50,000
[] Assets: very little
[] Property:
[] Extenuating Circumstances: personal
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, 1st gen, single-parent home[/li][/ul]

**Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments:To be perfectly honest, I don’t know why I was matched. It must have been a combination of the activities, academics, story, and personality I put into my applications. I am extremely fortunate to have received this. For those of you who were matched, congratulations! It’s a rigorous process and you made it to the finish line early! For those of you who weren’t matched, I have faith in you all for regular decision! And for prospective Questbridge applicants, don’t just look at these statistics and adversities as determinants for you being a finalist/matched student in the future. Just know that the effort and life you put into developing your applications will show admission officers who you are and that’s what matters. Because at the end of the day, after it’s clear whether or not students can handle the rigor of the university’s coursework, it’s the person they’re accepting, not necessarily the statistic. **

14

Decision: Matched

Match to: Columbia University!!!

**Schools Ranked: Columbia University, Yale University **

Objective:

  • [] SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): 1370
    [    ] ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): N/A
    [] SAT II (Type, Score): Didn’t take those lol
    [    ] Weighted GPA (out of ??): 4.4 out of 5.0
    [] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
    [    ] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/86
    [] AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Calc AB (5), AP Eng Lang (4), AP Env. Sci (4), AP US Hist (4), AP World Hist (3), AP Bio (3), AP Human Geo (3), AP Physics 1 (2)
    [    ] IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
    [] Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc BC, AP Art History, AP Stats, AP Gov, AP Lit, Sociology, Philosophy
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Speech and Debate Association Qualified, National Debate Coaches Association Qualified, Texas Forensic Association Double Qualified, QB Finalist

Subjective:

[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Policy Debate (Head Captain), National Honor Society (Vice President and Secretary), Marching Band & Pep Band, Mentoring Program (President & founder), Townview Dynamics (Vice President)
[] Job/Work Experience: Worked at Chipotle summer 2015 lol
[] Volunteer/Community service: Several hours through NHS, coaching and judging at debate tournaments, independent volunteering events
[] Summer Activities: Interned at a law firm
[] Essays:
Biographical- talked about growing up with Tourette’s Syndrome
Community- talked about women in the Hispanic community
Common App- talked about the school-to-prison pipeline within public schools
Supplements- talked about hoping to be an an active LGBT member on campus, and valuing Columbia’s interconnectedness to New York City (everyone told me not to write about NYC but I did it anyway because I found NYC essential to the public school reform I wanted to study/work on throughout my life), and talked about wealth concentration for the other one
[] Teacher Recommendations: 12/10 on the first one, he was my debate coach since I was a freshman, 8/10 on the second one from my Calculus teacher lol
[li] Counselor Rec: pretty good, idk maybe like 8/10, he got to know me pretty well[/li][/ul]

Other

[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): Dallas, Tx
[] School Type: Public Magnet
[] Ethnicity: Hispanic
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: <$20,000
[] Assets: None
[] Property: None
[] Extenuating Circumstances: not really
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, First Gen, LGBT, Tourettes??? [/li][/ul]

**Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments:
OKAY JUST WANT TO SAY I AM SUPER EXCITED TO GO TO COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY THIS WAS A DREAM COME TRUE. I used to stay up late at night reading results threads like these and never thought I could get in because everyone else had extremely high test scores and great achievements. Regardless, they still served as a wake up call for me, so I’m here to give back and contribute. Hopefully my statistics are encouraging to anyone in doubt about their potential to go to their dream college. Shine through your essays and play to your strengths!

Okay anyways, about my application… I think my Common App and Columbia supplements were probably the best parts of my application. I really tried to create a theme across my entire application; everything was centered on education. I think I did a good job of convincing them that Columbia University and New York City are the best places in the world for me to study and drive forward public education reform. Also, my grades were consistent throughout my entire high school career (always made sure I got As).

Congrats to everyone else who got matched!! **

15

Decision: Matched

Match to: University of Chicago!
Schools Ranked: In order: Penn, Chicago, Dartmouth, Northwestern, UVA, Swarthmore, Notre Dame, Emory

Objective:

  • [] SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): 1560, 760 reading 800 math 24 essay
    [    ] ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): n/a
    [] SAT II (Type, Score): 760 Math 2
    [    ] Weighted GPA (out of ??): 4.42
    [] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.58 loool
    [    ] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 10%
    [] AP (place score in parenthesis): APUSH (5), Lit (4), Calc AB (4), Macoeconomics (2…)
    [    ] IB (place score in parenthesis): none
    [] Senior Year Course Load: AP Gov, AP BC Calc, AP Lang, AP Spanish, AP biology, band
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National winner of two FBLA competitions,finalist in an national entrepreneurship competition, national merit commend, founded non-profit, national economics challenge winner,

Subjective:

[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Asian Student Association (underclass rep 10, President 11 and 12), Speech and Debate (president 12), FBLA (junior class rep 11, president 12), Class cabinet (secretary 11,12), National Honors Society (12), band (1st chair region), track and field (captain 12 and all league qualifier 11)
[] Job/Work Experience:Tutoring
[] Volunteer/Community service: 300+ hours of community service through religious activities and working on the non-profit, which is a tutoring group dedicated toward educating children around the world
[] Summer Activities: None. Studied for SAT, mainly.
[] Essays:8.5/10 bio. Did a good job describing my role as the main caretaker for my siblings, and described the apparent religious conflict I had with my passion for business.
[] Teacher Recommendation: One was 10/10 from my band teacher. Known for his good writing, I’ve also had him for four years and he loves me. Even spent all of last year’s budget buying a new clarinet for me to use.
8/10 from history teacher. Good dude, had a good relationship with him. Nothing out of the park.
[li] Counselor Rec: 9/10. Knew me very well and is one of the best counselors I could ask for. [/li][/ul]

Other

[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): Pennsylvania
[] School Type: Public (~1,400)
[] Ethnicity: Asian (Korean American)
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: <36,000
[] Assets: None
[] Property: House we live in and one car.
[] Extenuating Circumstances:
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): immigrant parents. Emphasized how I spend most of my time taking care of two MUCH younger siblings. Other than that, nothing much.[/li][/ul]

Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments:
No idea why they would take me. I was honestly shocked. Just goes to show that you never know. Might as well throw the reach school in there.
My grades were very sub par, and my SAT wasn’t above average. My extracurricular were very strong, and I wrote about a lot of quirky things in my essays like gospel magic, a ukulele club, and the vestigiality of my deaf ear. It was a risk and clearly Penn did not like it lol but I think the UChicago admissions saw that I was a good fit and I could definitely thrive in their environment.
My essays reflected financial struggles but never looked at them in a negative light, only how they made me an even stronger person. My recs were also amazing and played a big part. Overall, I’d say my SAT, extracurriculars, recs, and essays won over the officers in spite of my GPA.

ALSO: I’m not sure how much of an impact this played, but my Chicago interview was the best I’ve ever had. The woman and I talked for 2 and a half hours and only ended it because she needed to go somewhere.

16

Decision: Matched

Match to: Northwestern!
Schools Ranked: USC, Northwestern, Stanford

Objective:

  • [] SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): 2270 (9, 740, 750, 780) on the old; 1570 (20, 770, 800) on the new
    [    ] ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): N/A
    [] SAT II (Type, Score): Math II (800), French (750), Literature (750), Physics (740), U.S. History (670)
    [    ] Weighted GPA (out of ??): 4.6/5.0
    [] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9/4.0
    [    ] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 6/464
    [] AP (place score in parenthesis): Calculus AB (5), Psychology (5), European History (4), Calculus BC (5), English Language (5), French (5), U.S. History (4), Physics 1 (4)
    [    ] IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
    [] Senior Year Course Load: AP Microeconomics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Chemistry, AP English Literature, Multivariable Calculus, Tennis
    [    ] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Semifinalist, AP National Scholar, and otherwise just local school awards.

Subjective:

[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): French Club (president), Writing Center (secretary), NHS, Tennis, Coyote Ambassadors (my school’s selected representatives for various events such as City Hall acknowledgment meetings), CSF
[] Job/Work Experience: N/A
[] Volunteer/Community service: mostly Writing Center as well as some NHS projects.
[] Summer Activities: N/A
[] Essays: 9/10 on the first one. I managed to craft a beautiful essay on playing cards and how it taught me about my Vietnamese background, increased my mathematical aptitude, and led me to take risks. I was very creative in the style of this essay, and I think it was very strong.
8/10 on the second one. I got into the challenge of how my mother’s interpretation of religion led her to discriminate against gays, causing my own fear of coming out as bisexual, but then learned that I didn’t need her validation or approval and that it was okay to keep some things to myself. It was a good essay about my moral autonomy.
[] Teacher Recommendations: 10/10 on both. They both knew me incredibly well and had great things to say, I’m sure. My calculus teacher is currently on his third year of teaching me, and he’s noted before my math brain. My French teacher is sweet and hopefully had comments about my passion and quick learning. Plus I spent a week in Canada with her for a school trip.
[li] Counselor Rec: 8/10. She knows me, not too well, but I trust that she knew what to say to help me get into where I wanted.[/li][/ul]

Other

[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): CA
[] School Type: Public
[] Ethnicity: Asian (Vietnamese)
[] Gender: Male
[] Income Bracket: ~$30,000
[] Assets: none
[] Property: just our house
[] Extenuating Circumstances: divorced parents; I rarely see my father and was able to get a Noncustodial Parent Waiver for him.
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): LGBT is the only thing coming to mind[/li][/ul]

Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments: I think it was definitely in the writing. I made unique essays that showed off my strengths and charisma. My teachers probably wrote amazing things about me as well. Other than that, I had strong grades and scores but nothing relatively outstanding. Congratulations to everyone, whether you got matched or not! It was a long process and we made it this far. I respect those of you who did not get matched but still have the maturity to go on as you are! Good luck to us all in the future!

17

Decision: Matched

Match to: Columbia University
Schools Ranked: Princeton, Yale, Columbia, Stanford, UChicago, Dartmouth, Northwestern, Williams, Amherst, Swarthmore

Objective:
SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): NA
ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): 33 (E: 35, M: 29, R: 36, S:30)
SAT II (Type, Score):
Weighted GPA (out of ??): 4.45/5
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 12/504
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Human Geography (5), AP Psychology (4), AP Bio (3), APUSH (4, didn’t take the class, self-studied), AP Lang (4), AP Seminar (5), AP Calc AB (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Gov/Pol, AP Research, AP Studio Art, AP Environmental Science, Prob and Stats Honors, AP Literature, Newspaper 4 Honors, Spanish 2
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): 21st debater in country in LD (according to NCFL), statewide “excellent” on serious commentary journalism, Dow Jones Fund Nominee for Best News Writer, featured speaker at a local Hillary Clinton rally

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): LGBT+ Club (Founder and President since freshman year); Editor-in-Chief of newspaper (11 and 12); was debate captain but quit to pursue other clubs more sincerely
Job/Work Experience: NA
Volunteer/Community service: Host local support groups for LGBT+ teens
Summer Activities: accepted to University of Miami summer program for journalists
Essays: 9/10 I tried to be dynamic and highlight my personal struggle alongside my humor and activism
Teacher Recommendations: 10/10 my English teacher is my second mom
Counselor Rec: 10/10 she loves me

Other
State (if domestic applicant): FL
School Type: affluent public school in white bread suburb ha ha ha
Ethnicity: Hispanic/White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: $54k with $25k medical bills
Assets: $0
Property: $0
Extenuating Circumstances: I was hospitalized my sophomore year for Anorexia and am now thriving in recovery, my mom is also mentally ill and it takes a toll on the family and so I had to grow up pretty young
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): LGBTQ+

Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments: I think my personal strength really won this one. I took so many risks with my Columbia app (I wrote a poem for my “why Columbia” essay about wanting to be the gay Langston Hughes) and it paid off. I was steered away from being candid about my eating disorder in my apps but I followed my heart and it made a difference. I’m so proud, and I also want people to know you don’t have to be a robot to get into the Ivy League lol

18

Decision: Matched

**Match to:**Duke!!
Schools Ranked: Stanford, Duke, Columbia, Vanderbilt, Rice

Objective:

[ul]
[] SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): 1490, 20/24, 700, 790
[] ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): 34, 27, 36, 33, 36, 31 and 34, no essay, 35, 34, 33, 33
[] SAT II (Type, Score): none
[] Weighted GPA (out of ??): 4.6087/5
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): #1
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): English Language and Composition (5), American History (4)
[] IB (place score in parenthesis): none
[] Senior Year Course Load: AP Calculus AB, Gifted English IV (basically super honors), Talented Art IV, AP Chemistry, AP European History, AP Physics I, Dual Enrollment Advanced Composition
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Semifinalist, FIRST Dean’s List Finalist, Scholastic Writing Awards Gold Key, lots of small school/city/region art awards
[ /list]

Subjective:

[list]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): FIRST robotics 9th-12th (president. media captain, finance captain, head awards writer and presenter lettered in 11th), Beta Club 9th-12th (inducted nationally, lettered), Art Club 9th-12th (none offered), Creative Writing Club 10th-12th (executive art editor, assistant art editor), Spanish National Honor Society 10th-12th (vice president, secretary), Student Ambassadors 10th-12th (school selective service organization), National Honor Society 11th-12th, School Technical Theatre 9th, Mu Alpha Theta 12th, STEM club 12th (founding member), confirmation classes 9th-11th, piano classes 9th-11th
I also started and organized a campus-wide recycling program and successfully campaigned for vegetarian lunch options at my school.
[] Job/Work Experience:none officially, I do babysit
[] Volunteer/Community service: I have a lot, but only mentioned a few key ones. In summary, I’ve been to over 40 robotics outreach events in 3.5 years (I listed high profile ones with 1000s of visitors) and have a lot of beta hours. I also detailed my volunteer work at the local theatre; I’ve painted complete sets and programmed lights.
[] Summer Activities: robotics outreach, set painting
[] Essays: Bio Essay: 8/10 - It was definitely original; I started off with an interesting quote from 4 year old me and broke the rest of my life into segments.
Proudest Achievement: 9/10 - I worked really hard on this one! I went into detail about my efforts in robotics, my personal growth brought on from robotics, and winning the Dean’s List award.
Common App Essay: 10/10 - It was very weird and different. I wrote about my random thought processes and how they inspire me.
My Duke Ones: 8/10
[] Teacher Recommendations: One was from my robotics coach and science teacher of 2 years, and the other was from my creative writing club sponsor and English teacher of 2 years. I didn’t apply to look at them, but they both told me they worked really hard on them. One even told me how proud she was of hers. I’m going to guess 8 or 9/10.
[li] Counselor Rec: Probably not too detailed, so 6/10. She’s a new counselor. I hadn’t talked to her before this year, but she asked me specific questions about my resume and may have mentioned my hospital visit at the start of this year.
[/li][/ul]

Other

[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): Louisiana
[] School Type: public school
[] Ethnicity: white
[] Gender: female
[] Income Bracket: <48,000 for 3
[] Assets: 0
[] Property: mortgage on a house (don’t have value)
[] Extenuating Circumstances: lots of medical bills from the past 2 years
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): single-parent home[/li][/ul]

Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments: Honestly, I am so surprised! At first, I wasn’t even sure if I should apply to QuestBridge, but I’m so glad I did. I kept comparing myself to previous accepted applicant and I was like “there’s no way I’m getting in.” To all of you who think that, it doesn’t hurt to try! For Duke, I had the opportunity to participate in an interview, and it went really well. I mentioned a lot of things I hadn’t in my application, and she emailed me to clarify details when she was writing her response to Duke. I also submitted a small arts portfolio. It wasn’t my best work, only 5 pieces I could capture well on camera, but I think it helped show them I have talent in the area. Also, I think by adding a new essay for the common app writing portion, I showed them a new side of me instead of using one of the QuestBridge ones. Also, I made sure to fill up the Additional Information portion on the common app with clarifications and details I couldn’t fit in the application.

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SORRY IDK HOW TO WORK THE TEMPLATE

Decision: Matched

Match to: UCHICAGO
Schools Ranked: ONLY UCHICAGO LOL (this was risky, but paid off because I was able to focus on one application & make it a reflection of me!)

Objective:

  • ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): (32, 9/10, 35, 30, 31, 32)
  • Weighted GPA (out of ??): 4.317/5.0
  • Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
  • Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/73
  • AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Calc AB (1), AP US History (4), AP Literature (4)
  • Senior Year Course Load: AP English Lit., AP Human Geo., AP Calculus BC, Dual Enrollment Intermediate Spanish I & II, Psychology, Sociology, Forensic Science, Theatre III
  • Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Lee Magnet’s Principal’s Award, US History District Rally First Place Winner Full Gospel UPC Academic Excellence Award, Full Gospel Highest High School GPA Award

Subjective:

  • Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Track and Field (Varsity Thrower), SGA (Vice President)
  • Job/Work Experience: Worked at the Naturally Fit Empire (6 hours/week for 5 months)
  • Volunteer/Community service: Writing Center Tutor, Church Wave Tutor
  • Summer Activities: Paid Internship with local Mayoral Candidate (12 hours/week for 2 months),
  • Essays: Common App Essay (9.2/10) Talked about my locs (dreads) & how they combated Eurocentric standards & how I want to empower Black females, QB Essay 1 (8.9/10) Talked about how the name of my school is named after Robert E. Lee & how I fought that, QB Essay 2 (9.3/10) Connected my hair to the evolution of my Blackness, self confidence, and self awareness, UC Extended Essay (9.7/10), Why UC? (9.5/10), Things I Like (8.3/10)
  • Teacher Recommendations: 9/10 & 9/10
  • Counselor Rec: 8/10

Other

  • State (if domestic applicant): Baton Rouge, Louisiana
  • School Type: Magnet, Public
  • Ethnicity: Black (African American)
  • Gender: Female
  • Income Bracket: less than $20,000
  • Assets: 0
  • Property: 0
  • Extenuating Circumstances:
  • Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, first gen. college student

Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments: ESSAYS! For my Why UChicago? essay I was really specific and passionate because this school was my dream school. I was accepted into their Fly In and about how much I was a match! My Extended Essay (SUPER IMPORTANT) was really deep and combined too of their prompts in a very smooth way. It was prose style, really reflective, and tied in societal problems. Every single one of my essays were honest and exemplified a special part of my character, motivation, or drive, while still being creative. I showed passion & showed myself as a thinker. ALSO, GOD!!! I was really scared that I didn’t have enough extracurriculars like other people that I’ve seen on here (this is because I switched schools after 10th + didn’t have any transportation to get involved bc single mom).

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Did anyone else recieve an email from Williams (they were on my match list) asking them to consider applying ED or RD as they were a “strong applicant”? Can’t decide if this is a generic email or a good omen.