<p>She is in the Quest Bridge Program.</p>
<p>So far, she has a College Prep Scholarship and she will be trying for the National Match Program.</p>
<p>This is a special program for low-income students and, if she is selected as a finalist for the National Match Program, she will have an excellent chance for one of these schools:</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.questbridge.org/about-questbridge/our-programs”>http://www.questbridge.org/about-questbridge/our-programs</a></p>
<p>National Match Program stats from last year:</p>
<p>16% were Val
81% were in the top 5% of their class
89% had over 1200 M/R, 27% had over 1400, 25% over 2090 MRW
79% had over 29 ACT, 25% had over 33
Average GPA 3.86, 27% had 4.0 GPA</p>
<p>4 students were matched to MIT </p>
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<p>Don’t apply to 40 plus colleges. You need to figure out a well balanced list that includes affordable options for you. Right now, your list is VERY top heavy given your SAT and ACT scores…regardless of your background. You need to be ver realistic about your college list…even as a Questbridge applicant.</p>
<p>You might end up applying to 20 schools…because of your need to cast a very wide net…and YOUR desire to include a bunch of reach schools on your list. </p>
<p>But 40? Where will you get waivers for applications for FORTY to FIFTY schools, and keep in mind you will also need to send the Profile to some of the more generous schools…and that isn’t free for FORTY schools either.</p>
<p>I would strongly urge you to look at the common data set for EACH college. See where your SAT/ACT scores and GPA fall. If your school has Naviance, you should use that as well.</p>
<p>It’s fine to reach for the stars for a few schools as long as you have some sure things on your list as well…and that means sure things that are affordable. Right now…your list really only has one sure thing.</p>
<p>I’m not going to apply to 40+. I was just saying my friends had done that.For me I am very uncomfortable applying to many and even the number of colleges I have on my list right now makes me very uneasy.</p>
<p>I am quite limited since I cannot go far(long story).The schools I’ve selected are okay since I have family living in the area or I live in the state of the college(In this case, Georgia for UGA and GSU)</p>
<p>My school is brand new so they do not have Naviance as far as I know…</p>
<p>I admit having a hard time finding “reach” schools( I’ve still yet to grasp this concept of safety,reach,match etc) since many colleges I look/research in…I just don’t feel right applying to them/will feel happy going to…eh.</p>
<p>Sammy…all but one of the schools on your list IS a reach school. These are schools where your likelihood of acceptance is iffy at best. </p>
<p>Read the above post by CATDECAL. It is spot on. </p>
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<p>Above is the National College Match information. Unless Questbridge has a different definition of “high achieving” than almost everyone else, this student has an uphill battle to be selected. Her standardized test scores are not high achieving, and neither is her GPA.</p>
<p>Planner03 above has provided the stats of the Questbridge kids for you to read. </p>
<p>I’m just saying…do,this…yes…but also have a realistic list of other colleges.</p>
<p>You should read this thread:
<a href=“Am I a pretty good candidate for ivy league schools or just any prestigious school in general? - Chance Me / Match Me! - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1658893-am-i-a-pretty-good-candidate-for-ivy-league-schools-or-just-any-prestigious-school-in-general-p1.html</a></p>
<p>She is another young lady that has high dreams, but her test scores do not match her goals. (though I suspect her actual scores are lower than yours.) </p>
<p>Most of your schools are reaches, so I don’t know what you mean you have a hard time finding reaches. I think your list of schools is very much lacking matches. A solid group of match schools are schools where you are in the top 25%-50% of the student applicants and know that you will be able to afford. </p>
<p>Hi Sammy, I don’t know anything about QB & College Match but i have lived in GA for 10yrs. Have you heard of Georgia Southern University, Kennasaw State University & Southern Polytechnic State University? All 3 are public, not-too-hard to get in ( admin rate,apx 56% & 64% & 70% ) & located in Atlanta & around the Atlanta area. I don’t know if they participate in the QB programs or not. Southern Poly offers computer sc & IT & software engineering.</p>
<p>In addition to the schools FlowerMom just listed - look at: Valdosta State, Fort Valley State, Georgia College, & State Univ., Mercer University, Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia Southwestern State Univ., and Berry College. These are just a few of the many good colleges in Georgia that may be matches to your stats. Unfortunately, you just don’t have the stats for Vandy, MIT, Emory, Tufts, or Amherst - those are high reaches for you, most likely no’s because your stats aren’t even on their lowest edge. UGA is a almost a reach as well, but I’d say give that one a shot. Georgia State is a match. You may want to also look into historically black colleges as well. Overall though, really check into your realistic, solid state school choices.</p>
<p>I would also suggest you post on the Questbridge section of this forum. Those posting there are very knowledgable about the program.</p>
<p>I looked at some of those colleges long time ago @vamominvabeach </p>
<p>Valdosta: It’s a no.
Fort Valley: No.
Georgia College: Still deciding
Georgia State University: Ok.</p>
<p>Historically black colleges…some I have locked at and discussed…and been checked out as a no. Long story. Rather not explain.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the advice. :)</p>
<ol>
<li>I like your attitude.</li>
<li>I strongly recommend that you get an act prep book and practice every day to prepare for your fall retake. I would especially focus on math because you need to be better at it in engineering</li>
<li>When others say that the academics at MIT , Vandy, Amherst, or Tufts will be challenging with a 1450, they are very optimistic. I am most familiar with MIT, and and I would doubt that anyone with this score would be able to pass the classes even if you studied 24/7. Having an 800 point sat disadvantage to the avg student is too much to overcome. Getting through would not be a challenge, it would be a miracle.</li>
<li>There are some great schools out there that would love to have a student like you. Work with the people on the questbridge board and your GC to find one that will be challenging but achievable. </li>
</ol>
<p>If you are looking for a reach school, I suggest you consider Smith. It is one of the country’s strongest liberal arts colleges, it is score optional, and it does have engineering. Besides that, it is devoted to educating young women, and prizes diversity. I think that you would find it challenging, but more realistically so.</p>
<p>I agree with thumper. I think your list is top heavy even with Questbridge. I would add a few more match type schools where you might garner financial aid. You would need to drop down in selectivity which might not be a bad idea. A 23 ACT is above average and most kids can raise it 2-3 points when they take it again, but it stil makes your list top heavy - unless Georgia State is your financial and admittance safety that you are willing to attend, in which case apply anywhere else your heart desires.</p>
<p>I would not waste the QB opportunity on the institutions on your list. Most of them are holistic, but the test score gap is likely too huge for them to feel confident you would survive academically. There are QB schools with lower stats, that are less popular, and where you might have a better shot. Look at Trinity, Grinnell, Oberln, etc. Trinity in particular is a small LAC with an engineering program. Geographical diversity would be a boost at these schools. Also, strongly encourage looking at Smith, even without QB they are good on aid for interesting students.</p>
<p>Finally, work on the root of the problem. Test scores can improve dramatically with practice. I don’t know about the ACT but there are lots of free on line resources for practicing the SAT. Also, it may be easier to just focus on two tests SAT Verbal and Math, than the larger variety of tests on the ACT. Invest some time there. See if there is a fee-waiver test prep class to take. Read the test prep posts on CC and give it a go again.</p>
<p>Perhaps add some test optional schools? Here is a list: <a href=“ACT/SAT Optional List - Fairtest”>http://www.fairtest.org/university/optional</a></p>
<p>Juliexoxo, it is a gross overstatement to say with a 30 ACT and QB she (or anyone) would run the table. </p>
<p>I will tell you with certainty that you are incorrect. My URM daughter was a QB match recipient seven years ago to one of the schools the OP is considering with a 33 ACT, and it has gotten much more competetive since then. She worked in and was part of that schools admissions committee and by no means is 30 a shoe in. It is just a disservice to lead anybody to believe they have some kind of auto admit based on your statement.</p>
<p>This student is NOT a full pay student…unless she gets the QB nod.</p>
<p>And this student doesn’t HAVE a 30 ACT. She has a 26 or 27.</p>