<p>Can you be named a finalist and not participate in the college match to apply to a partner school Early Decision? I'm pretty sure my family's EFC is a little more than zero, and there is one partner school that I really love in particular and would like to apply early to. Has anyone done this before? Any advice/anecdotes appreciated. :D</p>
<p>Yes, you can apply to QB, become a finalist but skip the Match round. There have been Finalist who have done this waving the match round so that they could apply ED to a particular university. Then if you are not accepted ED, you can apply to QB schools RD with your QB app (if you like).</p>
<p>Is there anything to support the notion that finalists won’t be matched if their EFC is greater than $0? I’ve seen that repeated here over the years and wondering whether there’s anything to it.</p>
<p>Since no one answered my question, I took matters into my own hands. ;)</p>
<p>I went this week to a roadshow event for several selecitve colleges, some of which are QB schools. Ds and I flat-out asked one of the reps whether a QB applicant has to have a $0 EFC to get matched, and she said, yes, some schools do use that as a criteria. I didn’t have the nerve to have her name them. 
This may change our QB strategy …</p>
<p>Most schools state their requirements on the website about whether or not $0 EFC is required. However, the $0 EFC calculation depends on the school, so it’s still kinda murky. </p>
<p>That explains why my friends who did QB didn’t get matched… only to get flooded with likely letters in the regular decision round.</p>
<p>skysailing, where on the website is that info? TIA.</p>
<p>I can’t remember exactly. It’s usually under the page dedicated to QuestBridge applicants found on each school’s undergraduate admissions page.</p>