LAST MINUTE QUESTIONS!!!!! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE HELP

Paying for College Access Programs (Questbridge, Posse)
1

Sorry for all caps…
I am freaking out at this moment…
I am a first gen student, so never went through this stressful process…

just going to cut to question…
Should I committee to the ED??

here's something about me... first of all, I have REALLY horrible SAT score, only took 1 and its 1840... I'm planning to take the Oct 3 one but probably not going to improve much as I spent my summer working instead of studying so if not lower... However I feel like I have a chance??? I have 4.0 unweighted, second in the class, 7 AP loads senior year, great working experiences and community service... however no sport... I help to pay family debts and bills... I'm not sure how my recommendation letters will be...I'm first generation...both parents didnt even go any form of schooling. we are less than 25k income...in my personal essay I wrote about my congenital birth defects (caused my family into massive debts), how i started school at extreme late age and my depression result of constant working in a restaurant and regaining purpose in life...I'm Chinese *however from really rural part of China - to be specific an isolated island..

I really messed up in my whole TESTING… I dont have SAT Subject Tests. therefore for the Quest-Bridge Match I can only apply to those who RECOMMEND but not REQUIRE… well in my case (I live in NC) I want to go to DAVIDSON and fortunately they recommend instead require. so I might have a slight chance (however I’m not sure if they really encourage the subject tests).
But I have signed up for the Nov Subject tests (math 2 and Chemistry)…so I’m just wondering if I don’t get match but I am a finalist, can I still submit the Nov 7 for regular decision as a finalist?

Anyway, back to the topic if I should committee…
after researching, I discovered that I can do EA to Chapel Hill (since its public school in my home state) while doing QB match so that worked out… but I’m picnicking what if I don’t get in Chapel Hill nor any through QB???..

I love QB b/c it sees me as a person rather than Common App which sees me as a paper of accomplishments and all that…
but my family circumstance is really different and therefore I don’t have quite impressive application as others…

I understand that the chance of getting MATCH is extremely low…but from what I described do you think I can get matched?
or even more do you think I can become a finalist and get accepted by Davidson through RD and offer a good finanical package?

Sorry for all the disorganized information and questions…

…I really don’t want to spend my life working in a restaurant or other jobs… I know I can accomplish things… I know those TESTS can be conquer with times (my main problem is in fact I never prepare for any of them…i simply CANT manage this lifestyle) … I really want to go to a small liberal arts school…and Davidson is really my dream…

I WOULD REALLY APPRECIATE IF YOU CAN HELP ME!!!

I don’t have anyone to guide me through this process and it is really overwhelming…

2

First off, an 1840 is not a horrible SAT score. The range for finalists is 1810 to 2050.
And it is true that the chances for getting matched are very low, but most finalists are accepted to QB schools REGULAR DECISION (I believe it’s something like 48%). So if you do not get matched, don’t lose hope!

I say this as a fellow applicant who will be partaking in the match.

Goodluck!

3

Thanks good luck to you too!

Ironic how my name contrast with how I feel now…
I try to stay positive but the tension is too high for a poor boy like me…

4

I think you do have a chance to get matched. And I think the unknowns in Financial aid going ED make it a big risk, so I think you should try for the Match at Davidson at least, and other schools, too if you are interested and if they do not require the Subject Tests.

5

With family $25k in family income you would qualify for a full ride at most of the top schools in the country. With your strong GPA and #2 in the class is excellent. There are a number of top LACs that do not require test scores. Bates, Bowdoin, Wesleyan for instance. You can apply to those schools and not send in your standardized test scores.

check out this list: http://blog.prepscholar.com/the-complete-guide-to-sat-optional-colleges

Also there are a number of schools that give out merit aid based on GPA. Do not despair, your family situation and worth ethic is strong and you have strong academic potential given the family & life struggles you have gone through. Many of these schools will see you holistically and value your life challenges.