<p>A few days ago I got a letter from QuestBridge, inviting me to use their program to apply to colleges. Two questions:</p>
<p>1) This is really obvious, but I'm just clarifying; their letter means that my family qualifies for the program, right? Like, we're in a low-enough income bracket to do so?</p>
<p>2) I'm applying to Yale; it's my number one choice (hence why I'm posting here). Will applying through QuestBridge give me more of an advantage than applying regularly? How so?</p>
<p>Thanks for the help. I really want to get into Yale, so I need to take advantage of anything and everything I can.</p>
<p>Well… if you really, truly qualify for the Questbridge program, then apply and make sure you are accepted. The fact that they sent you a letter doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get into the program. </p>
<p>However, if you do… Questbridge is the new mega, ultra, super hook in competitive college admissions. Other applicants will drool over the remarkable advantage that you will have in the process. With a great score, stats, ECs, etc… an application that would be a “maybe” for anyone else would be an auto admit for you. This is because the program fits into Yale’s new philosophy of admitting students of all socio-economic backgrounds, regardless of their ability to pay. Questbridge has been good at finding stellar traditionally disadvantaged applicants for top schools.</p>
<p>So getting a letter means that they want me to apply for the program, not that I am already allowed in? Okay, thanks. And it’s good to hear that second part, haha. Assuming I get in, that would really help me (my SATs are a tad low and my ECs are a tad weak - both are strong enough for an Ivy, but are on the weaker end of the spectrum).</p>
<p>FA9,
I have moved your other thread from the Admissions to the QB forum as you will find the most experienced posters there. While QB does work with Y, I have heard that very few spots are available and so the program is also very competitive. Again, the QB forum (under FA & Scholarships) is frequented by many posters who have experience with the program and how it runs.</p>
<p>Thank you, entomom! I did not know about the QB forum, so I was just placing my question in the two forums I thought I might get the quickest responses (from knowledgeable people) since I need to act on the answers in the next day or so.</p>
<p>Thank you for your help, and sorry to trouble you.</p>
<p>I got a letter, but I am by no means qualified financially for Questbridge. Just to make sure, you should look up what exactly they mean by ‘economically disadvantaged’ first.</p>
<p>I actually wouldn’t say that it’s “that” much of a hook…especially with the rising number of finalists Questbridge are choosing. I think it’s wonderful that free applications are being offered to so many deserving students, but because of the rising number, more and more people are going to be applying to Yale via this route, thus lowering the acceptance rate of Questbridge applicants. Like entomom said, there are very few spots for QB applicants so it’s definitely NOT an easier “backdoor” way into the school—I was (deferred early) ultimately rejected my year.</p>
<p>False. QuestBridge is choosing only marginally more finalists each year; usually in step with the number of new colleges listed as partner schools. More students are applying each year, however, which only increases the value of becoming a finalist.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>That’s not true for two reasons: Yale is accepting more QB students every year (inclusive of the RD round, which is where the magic of QB really is - unfortunately people emphasize the Match program) and QB is generally holding the number of finalists steady.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>There are only a dozen or two spots for Match students, but essentially an unlimited number for finalists - remember that schools like Yale are slowly but surely accepting more and more students from low-income backgrounds. QB students are some of the best students from disadvantaged backgrounds.</p>
<p>Don’t use QB if you don’t want to, but also understand the program.</p>
<p>But the point regarding the rising number of finalists selected is that no one ever knows how many finalists a given school will take. There have been many years where schools threw curve balls and accepted much fewer people than they usually do. So, the rising number of finalists can make the competition more fierce.</p>
<p>I was referring to the Match round with the second and third quotes you mentioned.</p>
<p>And I think I understand the program pretty well. It’s been a while since I’ve been to the website as a finalist so I guess things might have changed since then.</p>
<p>I think you are talking about the Match round. The Match round is an important feature of QuestBridge, but it is not even close to the most significant portion of the process. Some would say the Match is insignifcant.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>Your conclusion would be perfect if there were an increasing number of finalists.</p>
<p>@Fallenangel9 Questbridge provides an amazing opportunity but my own experience is proof that it isn’t necessary/required to get in despite being low income (though it certainly would help). I wasn’t able to apply because my counselor told me that our school district had a policy against it and then 2 days before the deadline told me that I could after I called her out on it (ridiculous right?). There are Questbridge finalists who end up not getting into any Questbridge schools at all regular decision and there are non Questbridge students that are low income who do get into those schools (correct me if I’m wrong). I think it all comes down to passion and character and the schools see that even without Questbridge through other parts of your application. The great thing about Questbridge is that it exposes you as a low income applicant in a time when colleges are trying to increase socioeconomic diversity. Just know that it’s no guarantee though. I definitely encourage you to apply.</p>
<p>arrrr is commpletely correct. QuestBridge is great because becoming a finalist is an international award, and because the QuestBridge application is tailored to low-income students, granting them the opportunity to explain their disadvantaged background. Low-income students are often nontraditional applicants, and QuestBridge recognizes that.</p>
<p>This chart shows that the number of finalists selected are rising. I see what you are saying though. And yes, I was referring to the Match round. The Match round is extremely competitive and, like you say, insignificant in the grand scheme of things–it’s just an earlier notification of one’s acceptance. But I responded to the thread just to mention that getting selected as a QB finalist doesn’t guarantee anything. I know many people who didn’t get into their list of QB schools, both during the Match round and during the Regular round. Sure, it’s a fantastic program, but it doesn’t ensure you’ll be accepted anywhere.</p>