<p>I'm extremely confused on whether being low income actually counts as a hook or makes your chances worse. Some threads here point out that need-aware colleges will look at FA-seeking students more harshly than those willing to pay full, while others say being low income is a hook just like URM. Logically it makes sense that FA decreases your chances since it means college lose money but it also makes sense that it is a hook because it adds diversity to the campus and proves you grew up in a disadvantageous background and still excelled. All these conflicting posts are very confusing. So which is it?</p>
<p>Also, on the same note, does using QuestBridge College Match help you or lower your chances? Are colleges going to see it as a group of excelling low income students that have overcome hardships or as a group that's going to take their money? Aside from the financial aspect would one have a better chance through or not through QB?</p>
<p>It is both, grasshopper. The main point being it is what it is. Nothing you can do about it, right? So you work with what you have. You don’t have to worry about it for need blind, you only have to worry about getting admitted.</p>
<p>I have a young friend who is a Sr. with large need who just got a very good admit to a selective need aware LAC with full need covered. Also got admits to state colleges that meet need. Some waitlists. Waiting on full meet need colleges over the next week.</p>
<p>Just don’t waste too much energy on colleges that don’t meet need for OOS students. Or are need aware and you aren’t a particularly attractive candidate.</p>
<p>For QB, being a finalist is a good award to put on your application and you have the advantage of using the QB application as a supplement or sometimes even replacement for an app at the partner colleges. If you use College Match it does not lower your chances, how do you see that? It is like getting up to 8 ED apps (a few colleges aren’t even binding.) If you are not matched, you can RD anywhere you like QB or not. You might like to read in the QB forum it is under the Financial Aid forum.</p>