I am a QuestBridge finalist (who didn't do the match) but...

Paying for College Access Programs (Questbridge, Posse)
1

<p>I am highly unsure if I should dedicate so much time to apply to their partner colleges. Surely, they are good schools I'd LOVE to attend. However, to this day I am still unsure why QuestBridge named me as a finalist. My stats are okay, but they show me as more of more of an average student than these 4.0 kids who get near/perfect scores on ACT/SAT and 5 on AP tests. Maybe it was my essays about my life is what moved them, and I know that this was their most competitive years which makes me even more confused, I'm just nervous about applying to these schools when I'm sure I have zero chance. I know Yale or Columbia have students with great stats, however there are always special cases who can manage to get in with like a 3.0 GPA. Just for fun I'll put my credentials here:</p>

<p>GPA - 3.34 UW, 3.5 W (?)
ACT - 25 (no writing) 24 (with writing, go figure) Retaking the ACT w/ Writing this weekend.
SAT- Yet to take.</p>

<p>I have take a lot of differentiated (our school's way of saying "honors") and AP classes throughout the schools years, as available. I think it'd be too timely to list them all here though. I wasn't able to do IB as I transferred schools and they told me that I lacked the preparatory classes that I would have needed to take freshmen year. Later I found out this was a lie (or miscommunication), but at the time I didn't know any better.</p>

<p>Extracurricular:
Newspaper - junior year
Orchestra - all four years, including leadership positions and 1st chair
Native Youth Leadership Academy - end of junior year (after 3rd quarter) to midyear senior year. It's an out of school program, enhances cultural understanding through education, community service, and also helps with college preparation. I dedicate about 10 hours/week to it, as one of my recommenders stated.
Native American Caucus - sophomore year and up
Biracial Caucus - senior year</p>

<p>I also spend quite a bit of time doing community service in the summer and whenever I can find it (usually short term, but about 10-20 hours at a time, no long major commitments).</p>

<p>I did summer school, not because I had to, but just to get an extra head start so I wouldn't cram this year. I'm not sure if admissions officers care about that or not. </p>

<p>This list isn't as impressive as some, I wish I had more science electives because I'm looking at the pre-med program, however I'm also looking at Native American studies or pre-law where I'll work in Indian law so that helps. </p>

<p>Other credentials:</p>

<p>I'm Native, which means i'm a minority! Haha, I hope to use this as an advantage. When looking at college stats, I'd find a shocking percentage of Native students (0%-3%) on campus so I'm hoping admissions officers will take that into consideration.</p>

<p>I'm socioeconomically disadvantaged. I only live at home with my mom and myself, and she gets about $13,600/year from disability payments & doesn't work. </p>

<p>Lastly, there were some family emergencies that affected my grades during junior year, so they'll know about that from my Biographical essay. </p>

<p>I guess my whole point of this is to hear what you all think. Surely QuestBridge wouldn't guarantee anything, but they wouldn't point me in the wrong direction either, correct? I know I get fee waivers to all of the partner colleges but I don't want to feel like I'm embarrassing myself by applying to these schools that seem so out of my league. Tell me your thoughts!</p>

2

<p>You are a finalist! Don’t doubt yourself, you were picked because of your accomplishments within the context of your resources. I just wrote you something long and my computer shut down. Bear with me and I will recreate it, maybe a bit at a time.</p>

<p>Yes Native Americans are highly lacking in colleges at all. In the book The Gatekeepers, the reporter who followed the Admissions process at Wesleyan University showed them beating the bushes to recruit reasonably well prepared NA students. They found at least one with some lowish stats and admitted him. I recently read this update: Migizi Pensoneau, a Native-American recruit who ended up flunking out during his first year at Wesleyan, went on to study film and television and eventually become a writer for “Alias.”</p>

3

<p>Don’t underestimate yourself. Apply to these dream schools- you were a finalist, and you have fee waivers. That’s great. You don’t know unless you try.</p>

<p>Also be cautious, like every student should. Have plan B. Apply to any in state colleges that may be within affordable range to you, and are less “reachy” than the questbridge ones. </p>

<p>Then, be assured that no matter what happens, Questbridge sees potential in you- and you have the ability to use that potential wherever you are in school. Although no applicant can apply with a guarantee, this is an open door to try. Go for it.</p>

4

<p>I think you should apply to a good group of partner colleges. They will look carefully at your application and if they think you can do well they will bend over backwards to admit you. Native American is a hook. It is no guarantee by any means, but it is an asset.</p>

<p>This isn’t to say you can expect to get into those very very low admit rate colleges, but QB has a good range of partner colleges and you can put in a couple super reaches, reaches and matches with those free application. After all, when else will anyone give you so much money for doing so little? Yes you can feel confident that QB wouldn’t steer you wrong and that the QB finalist honor will be a nice honor to have.</p>

<p>Pick your colleges carefully. Take a look beyond the brand name recognition and look at what the buzz is about the college culture, the academic culture and what it is actually like when you are a student taking classes. What the support structure is for undergraduates. You might expect that you need more support if your stats are lower than most students. It doesn’t mean that you will always be struggling but take that into consideration and pick a school knowing yourself. If your goal is law or medical school you will want good preparation and a college where you can get very good grades.</p>

<p>Some schools are just flat out known for tough academics and rigorous study. Like Chicago where you have to take a thorough core for 2 years, so will have to do areas of study you might not be interested in or struggle at. They are known for tough grading, grade deflation even, which might make it difficult for you. Compare it to Brown where it is rigorous but there are no requirements at all except for writing and for your major and you take what interests you and have options which can make things a little easier if you struggle. Like taking classes for a Pass or no credit, no D’s or F’s if you mess up a class, it is just removed from your transcripts, ability to withdraw a class very late with no penalty. These can make life a little easier. Both great schools but different experiences. So look into these kinds of things so you can see what it is really like to be a student there and decide what is best for you.</p>

5

<p>Some random ideas for your consideration:</p>

<p>Dartmouth is famous for interest in Native American recruiting and also has a dedicated support system. Also strong Native American studies, optional NA House living community etc…
[Native</a> American Program at Dartmouth College](<a href=“Home | Native American Program”>Home | Native American Program)</p>

<p>Grinnell - actively seeks minority recruitment and provides mentoring opportunities, you design your own curriculum with your adviser, excellent science research. Likely a very underrated college due to location, easier to get into than the quality indicates. Large endowment means great resources in academics and on campus entertainment. You can study abroad, many do, at Grinnell in London or another program in country of choice. Intern in policy or other area via the Grinnell-in-Washington program. NA studies is in the American Studies dept. Volunteer at Grinnell Regional Hospital. I’m not positive but I think there is no CA supplement to apply.
[Grinnell-in-Washington</a> | Grinnell College](<a href=“http://www.grinnell.edu/offices-services/ocs/giw]Grinnell-in-Washington”>http://www.grinnell.edu/offices-services/ocs/giw)</p>

<p>Wesleyan - mentioned above re NA recruiting, open curriculum</p>

<p>More Colleges with NA studies</p>

<p>Brown - (I’m partial) Has the interdisciplinary Center for studies of Race and Ethnicity in America. Lots of premeds. Excellent preparation for law. This guy went to Yale law and became an attorney:
[From</a> prison to Ivy League law school - today > news - TODAY.com](<a href=“http://www.today.com/id/26661590/#.UqhoEuJpmHY]From”>http://www.today.com/id/26661590/#.UqhoEuJpmHY)</p>

<p>Colorado College - Interesting block plan that will appeal to some, NA studies in the SW Studies dept </p>

<p>Yale - NA studies in the American Studies dept</p>

6

<p>Please please please apply. We want you in the Quest Scholars program. We don’t just want the brightest, we want those with a will to succeed and to help others with their success. Pigeonholing Quest as an organization for ‘smart’ people doesn’t help anyone.
They accepted you as a finalist because you are what they were looking for. Someone coming from the bottom, someone who’s had to work hard for the achievements they have made, no matter how great or small they seem to you. Someone who, when given an opportunity, latch onto it and wrestle it as ferociously as if it were a bear and you had to win to survive. Someone who will make a difference out of compassion and understanding, not just sheer ability.
Seriously, go and read this letter again. This is the real purpose of the Questbridge program:
[Letter</a> to Student Applicants](<a href=“http://www.questbridge.org/for-students/introduction-letter]Letter”>http://www.questbridge.org/for-students/introduction-letter)
It’s not meant to be exclusive to the smartest. It’s meant to be exclusive to those who will care about those around them. The ones who are really an asset to their community and humanity as a whole. I can tell you’re cut out to be one of them, if you strive for it. Will you?</p>

<p>–A matched 2013 finalist to UChicago.</p>

<p>P.S. And the Quest guys are a great community! I met a bunch of the others who got matched to UChicago on Facebook, and they really are all kind and supportive and excited…The kind of people who will drag you through your darkest moments with a smile. You won’t regret becoming a Quest Scholar. We’re all here to support you. Good luck!</p>

7

<p>Thank you everyone for the replies. I was under the impression that I would receive email notifications each time someone posted, however I received none. I wasn’t ignoring these, I promise! </p>

<p>@BrownParent - My college access advisor wants me to apply to Dartmouth. I thought about applying to all of those colleges you suggested as well! I just have to find someone to write a peer review and I’ll take the SAT subject tests in January to complete the application.</p>

<p>@modulusshift - Thanks for the words. It’s nice to hear from someone who’s been through the QuestBridge process, congratulations on your match! Hope you have fun at UChicago! I’d love to go there. Yes, it’s my dream to be a QuestScholar haha. </p>

<p>@Pennylane2011 - Thank you very much for the encouragement. I do have my plan B worked out, there’s a great college near where I live that I’d like to attend should I not get into any Quest partner schools. I’ve applied to the UCs as well, so I hopefully I’ll have some luck there.</p>