I am a finalist (yay!). They said that they couldn’t give me any CSS PROFILE waivers. Has anyone else gotten that note?
I applied to gates but I didn’t get any follow up email at all for some reason. What time did you guys get your follow up emails?
@h0kulani i feel u friend 
[aB][asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted [/color][/size]**
Before I applied for QB I hesitated and waited because I thought my family made too much money and my scores weren’t high enough. If you’re doubting yourself, just apply. It’s free. And if nothing else, the early deadline (late September) forces you to finish those essays. You never know if you don’t try 
*Also: congrats to all you finalists out there and those who aren’t!! Just getting through this whole thing cannot have been easy. Applying to QB shows your initiative and that you want to get ahead - and you will - no matter the college you attend.
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 3100 (ERW 690, Math 610, essay 6 across the board) (taken as a state test, no prep)
ACT (breakdown): 30, 31 superscored (English 36, Math 28, Reading 34, Science 28, Essay 11)
SAT II: Didn’t take
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.7 uw, 4.4 w
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): school doesn’t rank
AP (place score in parenthesis): European History (4), APUSH (5), Lang (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): school doesn’t offer
Senior Year Course Load: AP Lit, AP Spanish Lang, AP Econ (Macro & Micro), AP Government, Pre-calculus, Honors Journalism, Honors Debate, Honors Consumer Ed
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): 2 state awards for journalism, AP scholar, scholarship winner at a summer program, NHS, honor roll, Quill & Scroll, NSDA degree of distinction
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Newspaper (editor-in-chief), debate, Variety Show, tutoring (in school’s tutoring center and to city children through a club), service clubs (Key Club & Interact). I also spend a lot of time helping my mom with my two younger half-sisters (1 and 6), my aunt with my cousins (7, 2 and 3 months) and helping out my grandparents.
Job/Work Experience: I’ve interned for two different campaigns - one congressional and one gubernatorial
Volunteer/Community service: Tutoring and service clubs mentioned above
Summer Activities: volunteered at library helping ESL kids, Journalism program @ NU where I was given a scholarship
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
long essay: 8.5/10. I wrote about immigrating here at a young age and my personal path to citizenship, which included spending late nights with my mom studying for the test. It definitely wasn’t my best in terms of prose, but it was personal.
short essay (risk): 8/10. Again, not the best written, but personal. I wrote about the first time I snuck out, which happened to be going by myself into the city for the Pride Parade as someone who is LGBTQ+ but hasn’t come out to family.
short essay (who I’d meet): 9.5/10. One of my favorite things I’ve written. I said I wanted to meet Caddy Compson from Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury. I don’t usually excel at creative writing (even though I like it), but this one just came naturally and I loved the outcome.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: waived right to read. English teacher and newspaper adviser. I had him for honors English freshman year, I have him now for AP Lit and he started helping out at my school’s newspaper last year. He’s really awesome and knows I’m considering journalism as a profession.
Teacher Rec #2: waived right to read. APUSH teacher from last year. I loved the class but it was incredibly difficult, so I worked hard. Ended up with an A both semesters, but still an uphill battle. We had a massive research paper due in the spring and I came in a lot for help.
Counselor Rec: waived right to read
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: N/A
Other:
Intended Major: Public policy, journalism, international relations
State (if domestic applicant): IL
Country (if international applicant): N/A
School Type: public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: F
Income Bracket: ~$70,000 but in a household of 9, plus my aunt and her 3 sons who we help out
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): immigrant, LGBTQ+, first gen US student ?? (my mom got her BS in the Philippines, but both my father and step-father dropped out)
Reflection
Strengths: I think I had a strong sense of direction. I’m not involved in much because of my family situation, but what I was involved in always showed my passion in either journalism or public service, which are both things that would help me in my intended major. And although I didn’t read my recs, I feel like they were pretty good. I told me teachers only about a week and a half before the deadline that I was applying for QB (because I wasn’t sure if I’d qualify), but they were all very supportive and helped me through, which I assume they’d only do for someone they liked. My essays also I think helped. Even if they weren’t the best written, they were personal and I thought really gave a feel for who I am as a person.
Weaknesses: My test scores. Lack of leadership positions in clubs. GPA, from what I can tell from other finalists, is relatively low.
Why you think you were accepted/rejected: I really think it’s because my application followed the theme and remained consistent as a profile of who I wanted to be as a person. I think combined with my own work, it definitely took some dumb luck and maybe an admissions’ counselor in a good mood My letters of rec and essays I guess pulled my GPA and test scores out of the gutter.
[asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted [/color][/size]
SAT I (breakdown): N/A
ACT (breakdown): 30 Composite, 28 Math, 29 English, 30 Reading, 31 Science, 8 Writing
SAT II: N/A
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.63
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 8/79
AP (place score in parenthesis): None
IB (place score in parenthesis): None
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc, English 101 (College), couple of honors, yearbook, art, simple stuff.
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): 1st Virtual Business Personal Finance National FBLA, 1st Public Speaking II State FBLA, 1st Entrepenuership State FBLA, 1st 2A 4x800m Relay State, some other divisional and regional awards, mostly FBLA and CC/Track
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Cross Country (Captain 2 years), Track (Captain 2 years), FBLA (local president), Class Treasurer, Academic Olympic Team (Captain), Yearbook (Business Manager/Editor)
Job/Work Experience: Summer job single year as a buffet cook.
Volunteer/Community service: None
Summer Activities: None, really.
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Essay #1: 3/10, absolutely awful by a class’ standards. I wrote it on the spot, and it was just all over the place.
Essay #2: 6/10, meh, just wrote about reading the Illiad because I was into the Trojan War. Nothing exceptional, but not bad.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: 10/10, teacher loved me, was super nice
Teacher Rec #2: 10/10, same deal, real appreciative of both of them!
Counselor Rec: 8/10, didn’t know much about me but wrote me high, which was very nice
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: N/A
Other:
Intended Major: Biomedical Engineering/Pre-med (Defs different now tho)
State (if domestic applicant): Nevada
Country (if international applicant): US
School Type: Public, rural
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 16k from step-dad, 18k from child support (last year)
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First generation in direct family, not much else.
Reflection
Strengths: Success in not only academic extracurricular but also sports. I’ve noticed a common theme of rejections from students with just a laundry list of presidents of clubs and orgs. The person reading your app doesn’t care if you were president of the Club For Saving African Children’s Lives if you don’t actually save any African children’s lives. Do something with your extra ccs, be good at them.
Weaknesses: GPA and essays, definitely, as well as course load. Our school doesn’t have many options, so that’s why I had no AP’s before this year.
Why you think you were accepted/rejected: Location (no one special ever comes from Nevada) and success in sports. I imagine there’s a lot of “nerds” who don’t do anything but school. But being semi-successful in school AND sports seems like it’s worth more. That’s just my take though. Congrats to every else who got in! And if you didn’t, don’t beat yourself up over it! I wish everyone luck in their future college endeavors!
**Decision: Accepted **
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1430 ( 640 CR+W, 790 Math) (waiting for scores in October)
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II: 760 US History, 710 Math I
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 3 out of 720
AP (place score in parenthesis): US History(5), Psychology(5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics C, AP Calculus AB, AP Government and Politics, AP literature and Composition, Sociology, Photography
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Boys State Delegate, a bunch of state and county Mock Trial Awards, Academic awards received locally
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Mock Trial (attorney), Student Council (Student Representative and Secretary), Student Union Coalition (Student Representative), National Art Honor Society, Gallery Club, Mural Club, National Honor Society
Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community service: A couple hours with mock trial team and student council( not reported)
Summer Activities: Mock Trial Practice for National Competition
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Essay 1: (10/10) I really poured my heart and soul into talking about accepting the differences in life between my country of birth and America. It took me a long time to come to terms with this and I’m very proud of this essay
Essay 2: (8.5/10)Wrote an essay about a topic I explored because I was interested.I went a creative route and chose to write about a non academic subject. I wrote about how I explored Veganism and how it helped me overcome obesity, become aware of the inhumanity towards animals, and appreciate the life surrounding me. I thought it was a decent essay, but It may be an unoriginal topic. However, there are few vegans, especially ones that are escaping obesity at the age of 16, so maybe it was creative.
Both my essays were checked by my English teacher, a former graduate of Yale University who studied literature. She told me these were excellent essays and that I had a great chance of getting into Yale Single Choice Early Action!
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1:(10/10) APUSH Teacher:Didn’t read but I think it was good
Teacher Rec #2:(9/10) AP Psych Teacher: Didn’t read but I think it was good
Counselor Rec: Made me seems like an amazing student. I feel like she put me on a pedestal LOL.
Additional Rec: sending one to Yale from my Mock Trial coach for SCEA
Interview: Had interview with Yale. Was really fun. We talked about our favorite things to study in history
Other: I spoke about how I engaged in my community through protest of out Student Union and attached a link to an article concerning this.
Intended Major: Political Science
State (if domestic applicant): NJ
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Latino
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: ~$40,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): DACA student, Latino, First Generation, Low Income, Underfunded school district.
Reflection I really poured out some of my deepest reflections into my application. I showed my love for my community and how they have changed me.
Strengths:Essay, Scores???, Hooks, Recommendations
Weaknesses:Mediocre CRW score on SAT, IDK if essay #2 was liked by the Questbridge Board.
Why you think you were accepted/rejected: I think what really sold me was the way I wrote about uncommon topics and approached the questions creatively.
[asize=4][acolor=#008000]Decision: Accepted!!! [/color][/size]
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1510 = 710 (R+W) + 800 (M)
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: Math II (800)
Chemistry (780)
Physics (770)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.00
Weighted GPA (out of 5.0): 4.42
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 42/449
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calculus AB (5)
Physics C Mechanics (5)
Psychology (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP English Language and Composition
Mesa College Math 150
AP Chemistry
AP Government
AP Stats
AP Computer Science A
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AIME Exam Qualifier
Top Science Olympiad Competitor
Top Rubik’s Cube Solver at School
Top Chess Player at School
AP Scholar
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Practice Solving Rubik’s Cube (Vice-President)
Play Chess and Discuss Strategies (Vice-President&President)
Help Organize Games and Events at Schools (Captain)
Play Table Tennis (Captain)
Math Team (Captain&Secratary)
Science Olympiad (Captain)
Job/Work Experience:
Volunteer/Community service: Help Organize Games and Events at Schools
Summer Activities: Go to UC Berkeley to Learn College Courses
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
8/10: I used specific anecdotes (including track meet, publishing android app, and playing chess) back in China
to demonstrate my team spirit, passion, and persistence.
9/10: I wrote about the significant risks accompanying coming to the U.S. from China on my own and how I
overcame those challenges and thrived
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: 10/10: My American Literature teacher said he described me like a prodigy. lol
Teacher Rec #2: 8/10: My AP Calculus teacher likes me a lot but not necessarily knows a lot about me.
Counselor Rec: 7/10: My counselor is convinced that I’m super persistent, but doesn’t know a lot about me then.
Additional Rec:
Interview:
Other:
Intended Major: Engineering
State (if domestic applicant): California
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public School (University City High School)
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: $30000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First Generation to 4-year U.S. College
Free Lunch Eligible
Reflection: I was sooooo anxious about this decision because I got rejected in the College Prep Scholar application, though I did not submit standardized scores and did not put as much effort in that one.
Strengths: somewhat high scores and grades
Weaknesses: potentially weak essays (just not confident in it although spent a lot of time revising with peer reviews)
a few typos in the major awards & extracurriculars
potentially weak extracurriculars (especially volunteering)
Why you think you were accepted:
My scores and grades definitely played a role, and one of my teacher’s recommendations definitely boosted my chance (though I waived my right, he still told me passionate about what he wrote).
@ez7864 In early October, I received an email from Gates asking me to go in and verify my college counselor’s contact info, have her upload an official transcript, asked me to upload my SAT score reports, and told me to complete and submit my FAFSA - and said it is all due by October 31.
DECISION:REJECTED
OBJECTIVE:
SAT I (breakdown): 1350 (M: 680, CRW: 670) (TOOK ONLY ONCE)
ACT (breakdown): N/A (marked taking October 2017)
SAT II: N/A
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Weighted GPA (out of 5.0): 4.634
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A; top 10% (?)
AP (place score in parenthesis): APHuG (5), APUSGOV (5), APUSH (4), APLANG (3)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A (IB not offered)
Senior Year Course Load:
-Chamber Orchestra
-APLIT
-APPSYCH
-Spanish 45 Honors
-APBIO
-Study Hall/PE (1st/2nd Semesters)
-AP CALC BC
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): None I listed AP Scholar with Honor, Honor Roll, and Lettering
SUBJECTIVE:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES (translator, manage household needs)
FAMILY RESPONSIBILITIES (babysitter)
YOUTH GROUP (Leader, Teacher, Speaker, Hospitality/Service Committee Chair)
NATIONAL HONORS SOCIETY (member)
PUMAS AUTHENTICALLY CONNECTING (link leader)
FELLOWSHIP OF CHRISTIAN ATHLETES (member who invited others)
I could only rank up to six
Job/Work Experience:
FAMILY RESTAURANT (March 2017-Present)
RESTAURANT (Summer 2016)
Volunteer/Community service:
VOLUNTEERING (4 years at Public Library as Summer Reading Volunteer, Assistant Cordinator/Big Buddy for Reading Buddies Program)
Listed under Job/Work Experience in application
Summer Activities:
-RYLA
-Mission Trips
-Volunteering/Work
This isn’t part of the application either
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
BIOGRAPHICAL (9/10- Told my life story using impactful moments for me. Edited by myself, counselor, and English teacher. I found a noticeable mistake after submitting)
2ND ESSAY (5/10- Specific story about rejection from PAC in 10th grade and risk-taking; I wrote it two days before submission so I didn’t get them edited well)
SHORT ANSWERS (10/10- I really think I spent a lot of time talking about the varying aspects of me (I talked about my faith, growth, athleticism, and passion to learn, have fun, and listen to music)
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
TEACHER REC #1 (N/A- I waived my right to read it; the recommender was my Spanish teacher whom I had for 2 years and a PAC advisor; he WANTED to write mine, and after I submitted the application, he said his recommendation of me was the best yet. I am going to assume it is good because I have a good relationship with him)
TEACHER REC #2 (N/A- I waived my right to read it; the recommender is my APUSH and APPSYCH teacher whom I had for 2 years; I struggled in her class, asked for supplies and extensions because of my family circumstances. She is probably the teacher that knows the most about my situation. She did tell me that I was an amazing student, well-respected by her and other teachers. I am going to assume it is good as well)
COUNSELOR REC (N/A- I waived my right to read it; my counselor tells me that I have exceptional character and academics. She and I became a lot closer in the past two years. I am going to assume it is good)
ADDITIONAL REC: (7/10- I submitted a peer recommendation from my friend in the ADDITIONAL INFORMATION section. As part of an English assignment, I had to collect essays from people around me commenting on my uniqueness. He talked about how he was lonely when he entered high school but after I approached him and became his best friend, he eventually discovered how I was a naturally kind and compassionate person. I did not edit the essay and it was not refined in any way.)
INTERVIEW: N/A
OTHER:
Intended Major: UNDECIDED (chose to fill all the slots; pre-med, public policy, liberal arts/sciences)
State (if domestic applicant): CO
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Public Charter School
Ethnicity: Asian American (Chinese)
Gender: Male
Income Bracket:<25,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, First Generation (IDK if Asian American, especially of Chinese origin, is even regarded as a hook)
College Match Rankings: (IF THIS MADE ANY DIFFERENCE AT ALL)
Yale University
Davidson College
Colby College
Emory University
Rice University
Bowdoin College
Grinnell College
Macalester College
REFLECTION:
Strengths:
- Writing
- GPA
- Work Experience
- Recommendations
Weaknesses:
- Small noticeable mistakes in biographical essay and application (for example, “mere thirteen words” when the following phrase is eight words, and a random [1] in one of my descriptions.
- Peer recommendation (Since the recommendation from my friend was seen by me and part of the essay was used to fit the word limit, it may have undermined my application or made me seem like I lied)
-Test scores - Extracurriculars (I joined in FCA, PAC, and NHS during my junior/senior year, but for a legitimate reason I didn’t explain thoroughly)
Why you think you were accepted/rejected:
I seriously have no idea. I thought I presented the best of myself through my application. Honestly, I am just such a hypocrite telling people it is okay and to move on. In reality, it takes a lot to comprehend the pain of rejection. It is a serious blow to confidence, a serious blow to one’s self-esteem, and a serious blow to one’s commitment to continue. Resilience is hard, no doubt about that. Nonetheless, I am just crying. I just keep asking myself: why didn’t I get into the College Prep Scholar, the Gates Scholarship, the many college visit scholarship programs, and the National College Match? Why does it seem like all my efforts and sacrifices are in vain? Why can’t I seem to achieve things? Why can’t people try to see me as I am beyond just my application and my essays? Anyways, I am lucky to have a plan B ready. Congratulations to all the Finalists and good luck! To all the Non-Finalists, I can empathesize with you all. We will pursue a higher education nonetheless. Continue taking risks and persevering! YOU’LL ARE AN INSPIRATION, A DIFFERENCE-MAKER!!! SO MUCH LOVE AND EXCITEMENT FOR ALL OF YOU!!! And if you’re not offended, GOD BLESS!!!
**Decision: Accepted **
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1450, 760 R + 690 M
ACT (breakdown): Didn’t take.
SAT II: 720 Literature + 690 Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): Not applicable. N/A
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): U.S. history (4), Statistics (4), English Language (4), Macroeconomics (4)
***I did Calculus I through an ACE credit provider and got a score equivalent to a “5” in AP Calculus AB.
IB (place score in parenthesis): Not applicable.
Senior Year Course Load:
Semester 1: - Each CLEP course is 4 to 6 weeks long.
CLEP Western Civilization I (already know most of the material, so studying isn’t too hard)
CLEP Educational Psychology
CLEP Principles of Management
CLEP Information Systems and Computer Applications
CLEP Macroeconomics
CLEP American Govt (already know most of the material, so studying isn't too hard)
CLEP Introduction to Business Law
CLEP Financial Accounting
CLEP Principles of Marketing
AP Physics C Mechanics
Semester 2
AP Calculus BC semester 2
AP Physics C E & M
Seeking Industry Certifications:
TESOL: Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (already halfway done)
Java Standard Edition 7
Oracle Database Administrator
CompTIA A+
CompTIA Network+
Adobe Certified Associate (CS6 Photoshop, Dreamweaver, and Indesign)
Microsoft MTA Networking Fundamentals
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar with Honor, National Hispanic Scholar, National Merit Commended Student (I mentioned I was 2 points away from being a semifinalist)
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Not a lot. I have Schizophrenia and Bipolar type I and suffer from major apathy and multiple disabilities that impact what I can do (Lupus Erythematosus, Fibromyalgia,. I mentioned I was very isolated for years as a homeschooler and didn’t know what opportunities were available to me and have no reliable method of transportation and don’t have access to public transportation. As a homeschooled student, there’s no leadership applicable. I explained all of this in my application, but here it goes
- Singing lessons (a charity who served low-income mentally ill individuals paid for these until I met their objectives and had to leave the program. Then I used my wages from my job until I had to decrease my working hours due to my disabilities and had to choose between paying bills, for education materials, and so on.
- Reading fiction (fantasy and sci-fi) and non-fiction books on mythology. I mentioned my Goodreads profile has over 300 fiction books and listed example mythology books I read on my transcript.
- Learning to code (listed the individual languages and frameworks I'm learning)
- Taking care of my "family" 's financial situation
- I've forgotten what else I did. I'm in the middle of a Fibromyalgia flareup right now from the stress waiting to see whether I became a finalist, so I'm just gonna go to bed soon.
Job/Work Experience: 300 - 500 hours (I don’t have access to my job website account to get the specifics. I’ve forgotten how much I worked) Bagger/Front Service Clerk as Publix Supermarkets to support my former legal guardian. I’m a ward of the court and explained that I used my wages to pay for rent, utilities, her medical bills, etc. I mentioned I ultimately had to quit my job due to my disabilities.
Volunteer/Community service: 100 hours
ESL tutor who’s creating her own curriculum for students
Researcher for the Invictus Institute (I'm still finishing up the research. It's totaling like 60 8x11pages right now. The flareups in my autoimmune diseases and Schizophrenic symptoms are making it really hard to keep up with the necessary research) I'm compiling statistics on education around the globe.
Volunteer speaker (as-needed) for the National Alliance on Mental Illness to educate school staff and students on the reality of mental illness in public schools.
Summer Activities:
Studying and staying around the house. I’m a very isolated introvert. I don’t leave the house unless I have to.
Essays (rating 1-10, details):
Subjective. I’ll give the details though
Biographical essay:
I talked about the various kinds of torment I’ve faced in life (bullying, psychosexual abuse, and explained how I homeschooled myself, what challenges there were, because my legal guardian has been so depressed she couldn’t teach me. I showed how I’m an autodidact and explained how the torment I faced affected my education and how education made me realize my goals of wanting to go to college (since I didn’t believe I’d accomplish anything in life before).
500 word essay about an idea I had and how I want to explore it further:
I explained how my unique situation of homeschooling myself led to me noticing all the flaws in the education system and led to me wanting to fix them. I explained mechanisms for fixing those problems and explained how I could accomplish them but explained how I’d need to further explore them. Example: Starting a 501©(3) non-profit with a for-profit subsidiary account.
Short essays:
-Talked about taking care of my 75 year old fmr. legal guardian w/ disabilities and how I minimized our expenses and utilized resources for homeschooling myself.
-Talked about my Schizophrenia the voice in my head (who’s a mythological figure) I was in love with for 4.5 years and how he made me a better woman and I wish I could talk to him in person. We composed music together and he healed my emotional trauma, etc.
-Okay.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1: Very good. Explained my intellectual curiosity and ideas for education reform.
Teacher Rec #2: Idk. I waived my rights.
Counselor Rec: Very good. She’s my therapist who I’ve known for 11 years.
Interview: We could do an interview?
Intended Major: Business, Computer Science, Idk
State (if domestic applicant): Florida
School Type: Homeschooled.
Ethnicity: Latina, Native American
Gender: F.
Income Bracket: = $0 - $15,000 for 1 person. (I’d received Survivors Benefits equal to about 15,000 until June/July 2017)
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.) and extenuating circumstances: Ward of the court, deceased mother, absentee father, URM, 1st gen, serious disabilities that impacted coursework (I got sick w/ Lupus/Fibro in my senior year and had to take an extra year), and EC opportunities
Reflection - Risky but strong.
Strengths: Test scores, essays, recommendations,
Weaknesses: ECs.
Why you think you were accepted/rejected: I explained every little extenuating circumstance in my transcript/school portfolio and gave more detail about my ECs and course opportunities in my transcript. How they impacted my schoolwork, etc. For example, I didn’t even know about AP courses until 11th grade. My Lupus/Fibro impacted my SAT I and II scores, etc.
I got rejected from every school I applied to last year but am still a senior due to the disabilities resulting in me not completing any coursework last year. I didn’t even think I’d get accepted to QB!
Good luck!
Please replace the “[a” below with just “[” before posting.
[asize=4]Decision: Accepted [/size]
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1320 (650 reading, 670 math)
ACT (breakdown):let’s not discuss it
SAT II: n/a
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.72
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 23/555
AP (place score in parenthesis):n/a
IB (place score in parenthesis): 6 in History of the Americas
Senior Year Course Load: IB Biology HL, IB Advanced Photography HL, IB Theory of Knowledge, IB Math Studies SL, IB English HL, IB French SL
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Just Honor Roll
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): French Club, Political Organization, Created my Own Cultural Competence Workshop, Drama Club, Tennis…(I had HUGE extenuating circumstances that prevented me from doing extra curriculars which I explained)
Job/Work Experience: n/a
Volunteer/Community service: brief canvassing with this political organization. Only did it for like 4 months my sophomore year
Summer Activities: Summer programs taking college level courses
Essays (rating 1-10, details): …idk man I’m my own worst critic… my friends loved it. I only like the 800 word one, I think that’s the one that sold me.
Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
Teacher Rec #1:9/10 (I gave them all a SUPER detailed brag sheet)
Teacher Rec #2: 9/10
Counselor Rec:10/10
Additional Rec:
Interview:
Other:
Intended Major: Biochem. Biomedical Engineering
State (if domestic applicant): AZ
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Public, pretty competitive bc of the IB Program
Ethnicity: First Generation African American (Angolan)
Gender: Female
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM
Reflection
Strengths: Essays I guess. I talked about being first gen African American and the bullying I faced. The letters of recs that I got were from teachers I knew really well.
Weaknesses: GPA, Test Scores, Extra Curriculars, EVERYTHING lol
Why you think you were accepted/rejected: I really don’t know. A good friend of mine who got questbridge last year acted a mentor and helped my find all the right resources. I started in like July so yea…DON’T DOUBT YOURSELF AND TRY. DON’T LET ANYONE DETER YOU FROM TRYING. I really thought I had no chance and I was biting my nails all day over it. I really suggest for future applicants to simply link up with past finalists and ask people YOU TRUST for help. I still feel so lucky and fortunate. I feel like my essays are still crap but ya know what, it didn’t hurt to try!
I just got off work… I was accepted! Okay GPA, Low test score, AMAZING EC’s, many National Awards.
Scores aren’t everything.
@kchen0514 and all other non finalists: DO NOT GIVE UP!!! You’ve worked just as hard as anyone else and honestly it sucks that they didn’t see the potential you guys have. But please know this is not the end and you guys are sure to achieve amazing things in the future!
@JohnyFromChicago thank you! Honestly, I can’t deny that I didn’t falter in my confidence and that I didn’t cry. Thanks for the heads up. It’s nice to know there are opportunities in the future. Above all, thanks for reminding me that each day is a new day!
anyone else notice that a lot of people with 1520+ sat scores and 35+ act scores were rejected?
@mxrxsxa yeah!! I think they may be trying to use the Finalist title to give people with lower scores a better chance than they would’ve gotten, while the 1520+ kids probably didn’t need Questbridge to get into or afford the schools anyway, since most of the QB partners meet full financial need.
Congrats to people who got selected! Wish you guys best of luck! I’m not a finalist. It’s fine, I’ve been preparing for EA/ED to my dream school since submitting NCM as plan B so I’m not too sad.
A question to fellow non-finalist: On Questbridge’s website, a lot of the partner colleges(especially liberal arts colleges) say that they allow non-finalists to submit questbridge applications in lieu of Common App/Coalition. I’m a little confused by this. What are you guys gonna do?
@HappySquirrel great job for preparing well ahead, unlike me. I didn’t know that there are multiple schools that accept QuestBridge application if they’re non-finalists. The only institution that partners with QuestBridge and does that is Rice University from what I’ve learned.
@kchen0514 https://www.questbridge.org/high-school-students/national-college-match/non-finalists
This webpage says that A LOT of schools accept non-finalists’ Questbridge application for regular decision
Totally noticed the high scorers getting rejected yup!