Just a dream, or worth a shot?

Paying for College Access Programs (Questbridge, Posse)
1

<p>DISCLAIMER: I have previously posted the very same thread in the Harvard forum -- I eventually learned about QuestBride and would want to know if I (a) qualify and (b) should attempt at applying through the program.</p>

<p>Hello!</p>

<p>I'll try to make this as concise as possible -- sorry for writing something terribly long. </p>

<p>I'm a Canadian student enrolled in the IB diploma program. I expect to apply around December 2011 -- approx. a year from now -- and to be honest, I'm not sure if I should. I'm not looking for a chance-me type response (nor do I intend this thread to be one...hopefully). What I'm curious about is how the admissions would look at my application. These are the schools I look forward to apply to (IN NO PARTICULAR ORDER):</p>

<ul>
<li>Harvard</li>
<li>MIT</li>
<li>Princeton</li>
<li>Stanford</li>
<li>Caltech</li>
<li>Columbia</li>
<li>Yale</li>
</ul>

<p>My high school years in a nutshell consisted of several personal and academic highs and lows -- a downward trend. I was struggling with family and mental issues, notably with schizophrenia. Despite this, I took the most challenging program offered at my school and managed to achieve "decent" grades, albeit nothing too stellar. </p>

<p>Fast forward to today, I'm studying in a CEGEP (comparable to U.K's 6th form; grade 12-13) and as stated above, I'm enrolled in the I.B. Diploma program. I have achieved very good grades so far, and it seems likely that I will continue to do so.</p>

<p>Now, I guess this is where I would like you to give me some advice/opinions: I don't have any stellar ECs/awards/"hooks". For the past year, I have been taking care of my family (financially) -- my mom and my two sisters (my parents are divorced) -- as well as being treated for depression/schizophrenia. My mom is also schizophrenic and I often have to take care of her as well, sometimes taking days off from school to stay with her. Also, if it is of any importance, I'm also a First Generation Student. </p>

<p>My entire time is often dedicated to this: family and studying. In terms of academics, I do believe in somewhat of an upward trend -- picking up from a relatively "bad" grade 10-11 performance to a very good (and if I may say so, "stellar") one. My teachers also believe that I can potentially earn between 40-45 points (official predictions are to be released sometime after September 2011).</p>

<p>With this being said, if I do apply (I'm tempted to do so very much no matter what) -- will I be even regarded "decent" amongst a pool of candidates who have brilliant scores, are all-rounders, have shown great leadership and other such "stats". What do you think? </p>

<p>Kind regards/wishes,
Quarks!</p>

2

<p>Apply. As long as your family’s income is around <60,000, then you should be fine, since you seem to have a compelling life story.</p>

<p>However, I’d like to add the following:</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>I should note that this only affects the College Match process. You will be able to apply anywhere with the benefits of QuestBridge (fee waivers, priority candidacy, etc.) through Regular Decision.</p>

3

<p>xavier110, thanks for the reply. Yes, my family income is well behind the 60 000 income bracket. In facts, its between 20,000 and 30,000 (annual).</p>

<p>Also, I’m aware that I am not eligible for the College Match process. I will definitely be applying through Regular Decision.</p>

4

<p>Anyone else? :)</p>

5

<p>With all of your information and stats, i think you do have a chance in the match process regardless that you only get four schools in the match round. I have lower stats compared to the applicants who regularly apply and i got matched with UPenn. You and I also have some of the same hooks and EC’s and i think you have a shot in doing the match. Besides, you won’t lose anything in applying to them, in fact, its more beneficial for you. The colleges that you can apply to are also non-binding(in your choicelist). Leave the other colleges not in your bracket of choices for RD.</p>