Is Questbridge worth it for me?

Paying for College Access Programs (Questbridge, Posse)
1

i just found out more about Questbridge-- and it sounds great, but the deadline’s in 10 days. Is it worth it for me to try to rush it in that time, based on my info below?

I’m non first-gen white female.My parents are both doctors, but volunteering overseas training physicians for the past 8 years. I’ve lived overseas since 5th grade. income about 39k for family of 6. I have weighted GPA of about 4.7, SAT 1480.

Extracurricular:

  • 11th-12th grade Debate Coach for younger students
  • 11-12th participating in MUN
  • Volunteering with NGO preventing orphan tourism-- not too many hours unfortunately, hopefully can do more this coming year
  • Volunteering reviewing medical chart data (same as above for time)
  • 9-11th grade either backstage or in school play
    -9-12th grade soccer and basketball
  • yearbook writing editor (11th grade)
  • (paid job) english tutoring esl student once a week (11th grade)
  • a bunch of schools keep saying to put anything that takes up a lot of your time, but i don’t know if they really mean it (do they?) in that case also a 10-12 hr a week commute to school

My only thing close to a ‘hook’ is that I live overseas in a 3rd world country, if that’s considered a hook. I also have a slight lisp but it really doesn’t impact my day to day life-- might feature in my essay just cuz it was more significant for me as a child, and it actually helped me learn other languages so like overcoming challenge? idk…

is it worth it to try to get my questbridge app ready? some of my top schools would be upenn or duke but they are far far reaches. Alternatively, I could wait – I’m retaking the SAT in Oct and I think I can get a higher school this time, and work more on my application. But of course the main draw to questbridge is full ride-- reach schools offer very good aid at my income mainly, but targets often don’t offer as significant aid, and it’s not guaranteed. Do I have any chances of getting a scholarship to one of my top schools through Questbridge despite not being first-gen? Another concern: I have a twin sister with similar stats-- I know small differences are magnified in college admissions processes-- is it likely we’d be split up if accepted to questbridge colleges? Also-- if chosen as finalist but rejected ED from all schools can you edit Questbridge essays or add other activities, etc. before applying RD? thanks so much!

2

I suggest you read the QB process very carefully. A lot of your questions will be answered and it’s important you know exactly what the rules are when you enter the program.

It is a wonderful program. It can showcase your application. The chances of getting a Match are minuscule but some schools may reach out to you after not getting a match to apply ED. You also get the opportunity to apply RD to schools if you do not get a match as a Finalist if you reach that status. It streamlines your applications and offers valuable support.

No, your twin isn’t going to be considered in tandem with you. It’s selective enough of a process that a Match is really a lottery ticket.

Everyone I know who got a match and even Finalist status had Zero FAFSA EFC and were on free school lunch of other such program.