Does anyone know how hard it is to get into Questbridge’s College Prep Scholar program?
I am a high school junior hoping to be accepted. I am from a large family (8 children) that has a fairly low income (I do qualify for free lunch). However, I am not a minority and both of my parents have a 4-year degree.
Is it worth it for me to fill out their extensive application? I would love to have access to their services, but I don’t want to waste my time.
Thanks!
My son was selected a couple of years ago. He is the oldest of 5 kids, not a minority, and we qualified for reduced lunch. He did have very good stats and recommendations, though. I don’t the situation you describe would affect your chances at all based on our experience and in talking to other QB parents at the summer program we were invited to attend.
Thank you, @greeninohio !
You might want to check at your school. My daughter’s high school would only recommend candidates who were under-represented minorities. That wasn’t a Questbridge rule, but a school rule.
@zoosermom I am actually already recommended, but thanks!
If you look at QB stats you will see that there is a mix (ethnic/racial) of kids and more than a quarter of finalist were not first gen. The common factors are 1) low socioeconomics and 2) high stats/motivation.
http://www.questbridge.org/for-students/ncm-applicant-profile
From other threads – and I suggest you read them! – it seems that URMs do best in actually being matched. This is not QB’s decision, it is the school’s. Often schools are trying to enhance diversity on campus and Match is one way to that. However this is not the same as being selected as finalist. Even if you do not get a Match (most don’t – actually very few do) or if you choose not to rank schools you still get to use QB’s help in putting together apps and submitting them for free. Being a finalist is no guarantee but it is another accomplishment to help you along your way.
S was finalist. We looked into schools with good need-based aid, fee waivers, fly-in diversity programs that include economic diversity, and free summer programs based on stats.
Good luck!
I read on another thread that the acceptance rate is around 30%. I’ve also heard that it’s based mostly on academic stats. Good luck!