<p>i’m not sure if this was mentioned in the thread, but
how many of the applicants are selected as finalists? (not how many are matched)</p>
<p>^^^^^^ In past years around 50% of applicants received finalist status. Of course the actual # depends on the # of applicants.</p>
<p>Questbridge.org is a must read!</p>
<p>I’m sorry if it seems harsh, but read the website, EVERYTHING is on there.</p>
<p>I am planning on majoring in biology. Hypothetically, if I became a finalist, I am not sure whether I would mark Caltech as #1 and Stanford #2, vice-versa, or mark only Stanford (which is non-binding). I live near Caltech, but I am also into other majors, and Stanford is strong in every department. I keep changing my mind about which I want to mark first, and I do not trust my judgment, at the moment. What would you suggest I do, if I become a finalist? Could someone perhaps tell me the good and bad factors about each of the two universities? Please help; thank you!</p>
<p>Additionally, how does one report Supplemental Security Income, since it is not included in the total income?</p>
<p>YUUSSS i finally got in touch with my teachers! XD</p>
<p>@Naru: Since you aren’t sure at all, just do the supplements for each like next month before you even hear about finalists and you’ll have less to worry about. Just a decision to make.</p>
<p>@Narusakuu: Since you seem to be evenly divided, I would recommend you rank Stanford #1 and apply to Caltech RD. If you get into Stanford, after all, you may very well get into Caltech. On the other hand, have you ever visited the schools? I know someone who would’ve loved to go to CalTech, but the financial aid package was too small, so he ended up at Stanford. Both schools seemed to fit him really well, though.</p>
<p>“Current High School’s term system”</p>
<p>Our school runs on a quarter system (we get report cards every quarter) but the transcript only shows Semester Grades. Would that be a “2 grading period per year”? Or should I put other?</p>
<p>For Honors Status, what would a Pre-IB Class be? I assume “IB” only refers to the full IB Classes.</p>
<p>Should I just put down Honors?</p>
<p>On my transcript it just says “Advanced”</p>
<p>This is annoying, why do they need us to self report our grades, we’re sending a transcript anyway.</p>
<p>Also my school doesn’t have A+/A- etc, they should do As…but I do remember my percentages, should I differentiate these grades (like my Govt grade would be an A+, French would be A- etc) or just go with what the transcript says?</p>
<p>Is the self reported transcript even required?</p>
<p>“( * = required field)”</p>
<p>I don’t see any asterisks on the page (except for where they talk about the Transcript cover sheet)</p>
<p>Report your grades, its always more helpful. If there are blatant discrepancies, they won’t punish you. Advanced translates to Honors. Pre-IB generally translates to Honors. Don’t differentiate your grades unless your school reports them, or unless you’re absolutely certain of them.
Whatever your school puts on your transcript is the system your school goes by. Many schools have a report card sent out 4 or even 6 times a school year, but the only ones that count are the semester grades.</p>
<p>I’m not sure if anyone has gotten this far yet, but there’s a part on the last essay section that tell you to describe any differences in your school. Since my school is a small private school, we’re required to take a year long biblical course and we also don’t offer many AP classes (I think its about 8, and we aren’t allowed to take any of them till our Junior Year.) Should I put that down for extra information, or would that just seem like i’m trying to give excuses for not having all AP and Honors courses?</p>
<p>Quick question: If we are not selected as a finalist, will questbridge still send our apps for free during RD? I know this was discussed earlier but can anyone provide a link to the exact page on questbridge.org?</p>
<p>@CARDINALHOPEFUL: [QuestBridge</a> National College Match - Regular Decision Table](<a href=“http://www.questbridge.org/students/post_match.html]QuestBridge”>http://www.questbridge.org/students/post_match.html)</p>
<p>Does Questbridge weigh academics (GPA, test scores, etc) more heavily that your personal life/difficult circumstances (low-income, divorce, few opportunities, etc)?</p>
<p>I’m curious to know how everyone reads this essay prompt: “We are interested in learning more about you and the context in which you have grown up, formed your aspirations and accomplished your academic successes. Please describe the factors and challenges that have most shaped your personal life and aspirations. How have these factors caused you to grow? (800 word limit)”</p>
<p>Ds had three topics he discussed – a 13-year EC that’s his sport and his job, another EC and then his decision to leave his neighborhood school to attend one across town. He does a good job of weaving these three things together, but I wonder whether it should include more personal background about our family. WDYT?</p>
<p>I have a question: do I need to ask my teacher for a recommendation to QB, and Common App, and the Columbia app? They use different forms… does he have to fill in all 3 separate forms?</p>
<p>I want to rank: Yale, Princeton, Stanford, Penn, Columbia</p>
<p>thanks</p>
<p>btw cookie4college: I think they weigh them hand in hand, it’s very holistic</p>
<p>I am heading to my senior year and will applying to Columbia Unviersity. I came upon this college match website and learned that my family income qualifies me. Can someone explain to me how this process works? I probably will be applying regular decision?
they say that they want all test scores by September 30,2009, but I already signed up to retake the SAT’s in October. Will they accept my october scores if they are higher?
CAN SOMEONE TELL ME HOW THIS THING WORKS?</p>
<p>@Youdon’tsay: I think that my essay is going to be very personal. I’m going to mention what my mom had to go through to live where we do and how we do etc. But it’s your choice how deep you wanna go…</p>
<p>That’s what I would do. But it’s ds’s essay. I’m just trying to get an idea of whether he’s totally off base.</p>
<p>Does anyone know if QB checks the old CPS apps with the new College Match ones? I’m just wondering because I didn’t include some work experience that someone told me I should have when I first applied through QB. Can I just change it or should I email QB to let them know?</p>
<p>@i am me: email the question you just asked us to the QB team and they should be pretty straight forward.</p>