<p>I know there have been some threads on this before, but I need some specific advice.</p>
<p>I know 100% that I want to go to Columbia.
Should I apply there ED or apply through QuestBridge.</p>
<p>If I apply through QuestBridge, I would list non-binding schools (MIT, Princeton, Stanford, Yale). Then I would apply to Columbia during the regular decision part.</p>
<p>If I apply through QuestBridge I would have more possibilities, since I would be applying to other schools. In doing so, am I lowering my chance of getting into Columbia?</p>
<p>While I can’t answer your question, I’m also wondering about this (I’m really interested in Swarthmore, but, alas, I am only a rising junior) - I guess I’ll follow this thread. Enjoy your free bump. :)</p>
<p>Hi, clearinsight, </p>
<p>I’m not sure I understand your strategy. If you’re “100% sure” you want to go to Columbia, why wouldn’t you rank it for the College Match? </p>
<p>Assuming you are chosen as a finalist:</p>
<p>If you rank it first, you could get matched, or you would know that Columbia passed on matching with you (although you need to keep in mind that many more QB finalists are accepted RD than matched) and still rank the non-binding schools.</p>
<pre><code> OR
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<p>If you don’t rank any schools, then you could still apply to Columbia ED, with the QB finalist “hook.”</p>
<p>Either of those strategies seems more helpful.</p>
<p>Hi scoutsmom,</p>
<p>Oh it was my mistake. I thought you could not rank Columbia for College Match (and only RD). Ok, now I know I CAN rank Columbia.</p>
<p>About your second strategy, why would I become a finalist and opt to ED instead of rank Columbia for College Match?</p>
<p>I personally am doing that with my ED school. I am applying to become a finalist but applying ED. That being said if you are 100 percent sure you want to go to Columbia I would do one of two things. Either apply to QB but don’t participate in the match and apply ED to Columbia. Or apply ED to Columbia and don’t apply to QB (the app takes a ton of time and if you are short on time you should focus on your Columbia app)…</p>
<p>Thanks for the reply ArtsyGirl13.
What is the advantage to applying to QuestBridge without participating in the match?</p>
<p>It is prestigious so it looks good to list in the awards section of your application and if ED doesn’t go well you will get free RD apps to all of the partner schools…</p>
<p>So you think its better to ED than College Match?</p>
<p>If you are comfortable with the EFC and know it is your first choice, yes.</p>
<p>
</p>
<p>ED is probably statistically better than the Match, but I’m not trying to predict admissions…I just wanted to be sure you understood your QB options.</p>
<p>Sounds like ArtsyGirl has thought this through!</p>
<p>I understand now! Thank you so much!</p>
<p>And thank you ArtsyGirl!</p>
<p>Look. The problem with doing ED is that more likely than not, you will be rejected. With Questbridge National Match, there is no way you can get rejected. </p>
<p>You 100% want to go to Columbia? You clearly have not done your research. There are more than 30 other excellent partner colleges. Research them and make sure you know all of your options for QuestBridge.</p>
<p>If after you research you decide Columbia is the ONLY school for you (which is a laughable thought, and really means you should continue to do research again), then do ED. Your chances are statistically higher, and by a lot. But your chances to be rejected will be even greater. If you decide that there are other schools that you’d be fine in attending, please give QuestBridge a chance. Getting to apply early to 8 of the nation’s best schools is not a laughing matter, and the only reason that so few are matched is because they only rank the schools they know of, which is an utter waste of the process.</p>
<p>IBObsessed- If your top choice is Swarthmore, do National Match. If you don’t get matched, you can still apply EDII.</p>
<p>Well when I said 100% want to go to Columbia, I meant it is definitely my first choice. It is my dream school. Of course there are many other top schools that I would be more than happy to attend.</p>
<p>You said that with QB there is no way you can get rejected. What do you mean by that. There’s a chance I would not be matched, and possibly not even get in by RD. </p>
<p>Right now I don’t know whether to apply to 8 of the nation’s best schools early or apply ED to only Columbia. I can always apply ED, and if I get rejected, apply RD to any of the other 8 schools. So why not?</p>
<p>You can get rejected, but not through the match. If you participate in the match but do not get matched you can apply to all of the schools again through RD. When it comes down to it you have decide if you are willing to risk rejection but also get the statistical advantage of ED…</p>
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<p>Okay be honest here. Have you looked at all 35 partner colleges? Your list is composed of just Columbia and the non-bindings. Which speaks to me more of just listing schools you know of, instead of schools that may be the best fit for you.</p>
<p>If you did, and Columbia still came out on top, that’s great- you can ignore my first post and the above.</p>
<p>QuestBridge National Match doesn’t reject anyone. You are either matched or you are not matched, and if you are not matched you can continue through RD Columbia. Columbia ED has an acceptance rate around 20%, probably 10-20x more than the Match Rate to Columbia, but it also has a rejection rate around 50-60%, so you are more likely than not to be saying goodbye to your dream school. The honest truth is that if you can make it in via ED you can probably make it in via RD.</p>
<p>Applying to 8 of the best colleges (and again- not just the schools you listed, schools that get less applicants like Williams, Swarthmore, and Rice) puts your chances at the same as getting in through ED. And you get an assured full ride scholarship. And when you put that into context with the number of low income students who can not attend any top school, especially with a full ride, that speaks even more to how important it is to make the most out of the Match process.</p>
<p>Applying RD to 8 schools does not guarantee you a full ride, and you can be rejected.</p>
<p>But if the OP ranks Williams, Swarthmore, and Rice and gets accepted she is forced to attend one of those schools. This is assuming OP is not matched to Columbia. She can fill the application for these schools for RD as her backup.</p>
<p>I used examples of some underrated QuestBridge partners that are on par with the Ivy League. I’m not asking the poster to rank those schools.</p>
<p>I’d like for him or her to research all 35 partner colleges to get a complete picture of the possibilities. If he (I’ll stick with this for now) decides that there are more colleges he would be fine with getting a FULL RIDE TO, that’s great! I encourage doing the Match process and taking advantage of the fact that you can apply early to potentially 8 schools. If he is uncertain about being binded to any schools, but is only willing to rank the non-bindings + Columbia, I’d suggest doing ED for the higher chance (knowing full well that you can and most likely will be rejected). Simple as that. </p>
<p>Doing Match has its benefits:
+Colleges know that you’re interested in them as a top choice. So it counts for demonstrated interest for up to 8 schools.
+If you don’t get in via Match, you can do ED for most of the partner colleges, and RD for the rest. So, it’s a third chance with no cons attached except selectivity.
+Match assures you a full ride with no loans. RD and ED do not guarantee this. Yes, the package will most likely be close, but there can be several thousand dollars in difference.
+Match give you an opportunity to re-evaluate your materials if you don’t earn a matched package, as you can now submit the common application and additional supplements to increase your chances.
+Match is a great way to end the college stress early, knowing full well you are going to be attending a top tier institution no matter where you get matched to.</p>
<p>I have done my research, but unfortunately I cannot choose a binding school because of location issues and such.
Thank you so much for outlining the benefits of QuestBridge! I am thinking about participating in the match instead of applying ED now.
By the way, I am a she. :)</p>