National College Match - 2009-2010

<p>soo, I chucked out my old BIO essay, because it seemed like I was whining about my hardship. And I don’t want to present myself as a “why me” person. So…should I just forget about mentioning hardship…(finances etc.) because essentially they know about it? I KNOW you all just talked about it up there.</p>

<p>Hdo you mean “forget hardship and finances”? There are so many ways to put your “harships”. You don’t just outright say I’M POOR, you say “I remember having to hitchhike get to school one year because we didn’t have enough to pay the yearly school bus fee. Somehow, setting foot in (insert class/ school) every morning remained the highlight of my day.” I dunno something like that…</p>

<p>So do you think affirmative action works against you during questbridge as well? For example, if Yale gets your QB app and realize you’re Asian-American, will that count against you? It really sucks with this affirmative action thing. Or will they consider your financial background and you’ll be a “minority” again?</p>

<p>I’m a little bit confused. So the application asks for your Common App ID number and I understand what that is but I just want to clarify something. The Common Application is no due on Sept 30 as well right? Or do I need to submit that by Sept 30 too.</p>

<p>no, if you have to send common app stuff, i’m pretty sure the deadline is Nov. 2, along with all the supplemental stuff.</p>

<p>the only thing due on sep 30 is the QB app itself, as far as I know</p>

<p>Since there’s only one more date to retake the SATs, should I take the SAT1 or Lit+Math?</p>

<p>Here are my current scores:
SAT: 2010
Chem: 750
Lit: 620
Math 2:680</p>

<p>Hey guys, haven’t been able to find the answer to this:</p>

<p>If I am matched with a non-binding school, can I still apply to other QB schools regular decision after I’m matched?</p>

<p>I emailed QB and they assumed that I wanted to re-apply to the SAME school after I’m matched to it. Hm…</p>

<p>Thanks everyone for being so helpful.
I was actually wondering who grades the essays? Questbridge? or the colleges? It’s gonna have a big affect on how I write because they’re two different audiences…</p>

<p>also, carrots,
I would take the Sat II. You’re Sat is pretty much in line with last years finalists. which was 29-32 I think.</p>

<p>@tomjonesistheman: I think you’re reading a little too much into my words. I mean that the QB process is trying to change the way college admissions works: its taking the regular process colleges use and changing it around completely, weighting things that were ignored before a lot more and factors that were given importance are given less, etc.</p>

<p>@adfirmo: There is no “grading” essays- you aren’t getting a score. The colleges and QB both see the essays for different purposes; first, they are read in order to procure finalist status, second they are read by the colleges. Don’t let the two different audiences effect your essays: don’t (please!) try to impress the audience- give them the real you.</p>

<p>emcc24: Yes, this question has been answered several times. Getting matched to a non-binding school means you have until May 1st to make your decision. You can also apply ED 2 to schools if matched to a non-binding school.</p>

<p>@carrots: Lit and Math is what I would retake, as your SAT1 score is in line with the finalist pool.</p>

<p>@xctf/Ju<em>liaa: Right- don’t chuck out an essay because it is too “whining” in tone- just fix those sentences. Look, the important point to remember is balance: nobody wants to play the victim, as the hero is never the victim; the successful person always goes beyond what they’re handed (makes lemonade). Show what you were given and how you overcame those circumstances. Ju</em>liaa’s example sentence was an appropriate execution.</p>

<p>@crystal91: AA is pretty much everywhere; then again, so are legacies and superstar athletes. QB is an attempt to make the process more fair. It is your best bet. Don’t mark your race on the application and otherwise hope for the best. Your SELF is most important to portray: break the stereotypes. QB is your best bet.</p>

<p>Thanks, alexandra you are very helpful. As I am continuing my QB application, I’ve found several new questions.</p>

<ol>
<li><p>For MIT, they say I do not have to fill out a MyMIT app, since they take the QB app in lieu of it. Would it benefit me in any way to still fill it out, since the supplementary essays would let me talk more about my other extracurriculars? Or should I just not fill it out, like they said. </p></li>
<li><p>If I have to send in transcripts from colleges where I took courses, would I get a transcript from them, then give to my high school counselor to fax? Also, would I give my counselor a copy of my SAT/ACT/AP score sheets? If so, doesn’t Questbridge see ALL my scores? I only want them to see my three highest SAT II scores. Is there anyway to use some kind of “score choice” for this?</p></li>
</ol>

<p>@tomjonesistheman:

  1. Don’t fill it out. You have enough essays as it is, and it is inconveniencing the adcom to deal with a discrepancy- the last thing you want to be in an inconvenience.
  2. If you can, get your transcript consolidated by your high school. They should state on your transcript where you took courses and what you took. If you can’t, then your counselor will have to fax them each in individually. If, however, this is logistically impossible for some reason, I don’t think QB will have a problem getting them from you. You don’t need to give your counselor your SAT scores- in fact, they don’t ever need to see them or even know them. The College Board should send the reports (score choice is available) and you self-report directly onto the QB application.</p>

<p>I want to correct some misinformation here. If matched to a non-binding school, you can ONLY apply Regular Decision to other schools. You CANNOT apply EA or ED to other schools if you have a non-binding match.</p>

<p>But it’s not a problem to apply rolling decision, right? Ds has gotten a couple of offers from schools he’s interested in saying if he applies by Dec. 1 he’ll get his app fee waived. He’s hoping to match one binding school and two non-binding.</p>

<p>^^^^^</p>

<p>Yes, rolling decision schools, i.e. state school, are fine. Only EA and ED are prohibited.</p>

<p>tomjonesistheman, do you have a myMIT account? I think that is necessary for scheduling an interview. I agree with Alexandrafitzmore, don’t send in additional stuff. I know it is tempting to want them to know more, but I have also heard that it can be detrimental for people to send in extra essays, resume’s, photo’s, anything they haven’t asked for. It might be seen as overkill.</p>