<p>I was looking at the Questbridge application, and the criteria you had to meet to be considered fitting for the program. I know that they define low income as a household earning less than 60,000 per year. While my family definitely fits in that category, I was wondering how suitable I am as a candidate for the program. The application seems to stress success in the face of socioeconomic challenges, and though my family doesn't have the most carefree finances, I don't think I've ever been limited in my opportunities due to financial reasons (scholarships/fundraising and such have helped me pay for a lot of the experiences I've had). In some senses I don't feel like I come from a low-income situation, but I do fit the criteria that Questbridge outlines. Do you think it would be beneficial or not for me to apply through Questbridge? Sorry if this is rather vague, but I'm not exactly sure how to phrase my concern.... I'm a junior by the way, so I still have some time to think about it.</p>
<p>*bump? anyone?</p>
<p>I’m in the same situation (considered low income, but not having experienced any real socioeconomic challenges), but I’m applying anyway. It doesn’t exactly hurt to apply and you never know.</p>
<p>Same issue: no socioeconomic challenges, but I’m definitely within their low-income range.</p>
<p>haha same here. i definitely have not faced any socioeconomic challenges despite my family’s low-income range. i live comfortably i would say…but today i got a letter from QB advertising their program. </p>
<p>so are you guys applying through QB? it seems like a confusing and tedious process…but that may be just cuz i’m not familiar with it.</p>
<p>how many people who have low income but have not really faced any challenges actually get matched to their school?</p>
<p>i mean, even if i don’t do QB, i feel like the low-income would qualify me for significant financial aid anyways at those top colleges. right?</p>
<p>Exactly what I was thinking, swirlz. I got the letter today as well and went to the website and started the application process. I agree that the process is incredibly tedious and long…You have to write many essays of great length and have three recommendation letters and all your transcripts and everything sent in. However, the application process is even more drawn out and complicated than any of the processes to the other schools I’ve so far applied to.
I’ve done some research on the benefits of the program and I feel that unless you are willing to apply ED through the QB program to a specific school, this program will not be of a great advantage to you. If you know the school you want to bind yourself to then by all means use QB because it will definitely help.
However, in my case I feel that the program wouldn’t be a great advantage to me. My top picks aren’t even partner schools with QB and therefore I’d just use QB to apply regular decision to the two schools that are partners. I could apply regular decision through the common app and save lots of time and have the same results. At least that’s what I understand. Obviously I qualify for the financial aid from the schools because of my low-income. I don’t think I need QB to tell the colleges that - it’s quite evident from our FAFSA and other financial info.
Anyway…hope that helped.</p>