Official 2008 Questbridge National College Match Discussion and Help

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Quest started out at Stanford, then, I think, it also had some affiliation with Harvard as well. For the College Prep Scholarship, they still send kids to Harvard for their summer program.

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<p>Yes, it was when the program was just "Quest"--or the Stanford Youth Environmental Science Program (SYESP). It had places at Harvard, too.</p>

<p>QuestBridge</a> History</p>

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So, why is Harvard not a Questbridge partner school?

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<p>This is something that many have wondered, and there's been a lot of speculation about it. I posed the question to QuestBridge, asking whether QuestBridge had reservations about adding Harvard as a partner school. I'm not quite sure whether they want Harvard as a partner school, or whether Harvard even wants to be a partner school. Some have suggested that it might bring in a larger applicant pool that isn't even remotely low-income--just more students trying to find an easier way into Harvard. Since the application will be up soon, I don't think that Harvard (or any other schools) will be added for this season.</p>

<p>if my GPA is 3.3 wat are my chances of getting admitted into one of these partnercoleges??</p>

<p>I was looking into the program thanks to some lovely souls on CC, and I wonder about vakuru's question, too. I see that they display the profile of winners in terms of class rank, but I don't see anything about GPA. Though my GPA is low (3.4/3.3 UW, 3.8-4.0 W), I'm still in the 15% at least (I don't know officially).</p>

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if my GPA is 3.3 wat are my chances of getting admitted into one of these partnercoleges??

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<p>It's hard to give 'chances' for getting admitted to the partner colleges. For one, you could get admitted in the Match round or regular decision. To get into any of the partner colleges is difficult, and it's even more difficult to get matched, so it's very much a "crapshoot." Regular decision isn't quite as uncertain, but it's still too hard to say. More than that, it's largely dependent on context; since the program emphasizes especially an aspect (income) that colleges consider part of context, it adds to the uncertainty, boosting your chances varying degrees. Each college varies somewhat in selectivity, too.</p>

<p>In addition, they take your weighted GPA into consideration. So, I would recommend that just apply and hope for the best. :)</p>

<p>To keep the discussion going:</p>

<p>If you're planning to go through the Match program, what will be first-choice school that you rank? What other schools do you think you'll rank? How might you rank them?</p>

<p>I'm not exactly sure of what order I'd choose, but right now i'm thinking:</p>

<p>UChicago
Northwestern
Stanford
UPenn
Princeton
Yale
MIT
Columbia</p>

<p>I'm thinking: </p>

<ol>
<li>MIT</li>
<li>Stanford</li>
<li>Yale</li>
<li>Princeton
and I'll have my app forwarded to Rice and MAYBE Penn</li>
</ol>

<p>I'd forgotten that MIT was going to be one of the partners--I daresay that it, along with the other newcomers like Penn, will attract many more students in the year(s) to come.</p>

<p>hey i just saw ur post today, i was in the same situation u were in when i did the questbridge scholarship. im a temporary resident and at the time, only princeton gave full scholarships to international students. however, i still did the app regardless of my status thinking it couldn't hurt. i have no idea how it happened but i won the scholarship for Claremont McKenna College in california, so I guess if you are a good enough candidate then a university will give you a scholarship. yea, so you should still definetely do the app</p>

<p>I don't know if they changed it but when I did the qb scholarship which was in 2006 they only forwarded your application if you were an approved finalist</p>

<p>Check out some of the schools that don't have such big-name recognition on QB's list. Always nice that when you're into the finalist stage, to have a backup or safety (I hope it's appropriate to use these terms in regards to the QB app.).</p>

<p>Hey everyone-</p>

<p>I was a QB College Match recipient last year, so if anyone has any questions, feel free to PM me or post on here!</p>

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to have a backup or safety (I hope it's appropriate to use these terms in regards to the QB app.).

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<p>I wouldn't say so. The overwhelming majority of QB's schools are highly selective, so it'd be hard to call any of them a safety, period. A few might be called a safety if you're very highly qualified (Trinity, perhaps, or Wheaton, but that isn't a partner college anymore). However, since you're competing for a full scholarship--a very expensive offer for these colleges--none of them are safeties. Add to that the uncertainty that ranking brings, and getting in through QB, even into a 'lesser-known' college, is unpredictable.</p>

<p>Jay 123: I'm sorry but I'm not French. I do love languages though, and French is one of my favorites. Je suis desolee que je ne sois pas francaise mais j'aime le francais aussi! Et toi, es-tu francais(e)?</p>

<p>Non, je ne suis pas francais, mais j'aime les langues! Un jour, je voudrais aller a Paris et voir la tour Eiffel. =D</p>

<p>lol.</p>

<p>how do i know what my gpa is supposed to be for these colleges</p>

<p>there is no "cut-off" GPA.</p>

<p>Questbridge says this, however, if your GPA is not strong you will have almost no chance of getting the scholarship. That was a little misleading, let me clarify: they evaluate each applicant holistically. If your GPA doesn't show your academic strength, they will look for it in other indicators (perhaps SATs ACTs, teacher recommendations). </p>

<p>However, do keep in mind that the program is intended for high achieving low-income students. If you fit the low income criteria but not the high achieving one, you may not be as competitive as other applicants.</p>

<p>P.S. before posting any questions here i urge everyone to go through the WHOLE Questbridge site. It might seem like a daunting task, but it is well worth the effort for someone is completely clueless about the college application process (like i was :-D). They have some amazing tips that i would have never though of myself.</p>

<p>No one should ever discourage you from applying though. There have been applicants who never considered Stanford as a possibility and yet, there they are attending with a full ride.</p>

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how do i know what my gpa is supposed to be for these colleges

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<p>As Carlosd3co said, they will evaluate applicants holistically. So for example, they will take into account what courses you're offered, the rigor of your course load, your rank, and most importantly, the context that you've grown up in and the environment you're exposed to. They will take into account, for instance, that your GPA is slightly weak because you had to work a job every day to help support your family. They will take into account all relevant circumstances you describe on the application. As such, there is no cutoff GPA. As QuestBridge says (or rather, doesn't say or specify):</p>

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Grade Point Average (GPA): Both un-weighted and weighted GPAs are considered.

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<p>National</a> College Match - Selection Criteria</p>

<p>Notice also that typically finalists are in the top 5% of their class (though obviously you don't need to be), and the rigor of your course load is important for finalist selection, as is the same for the scholarship and for general admission to colleges (more so top ones than others). According to this:</p>

<p>National</a> College Match Program: 2006 College Match Recipient Profile</p>

<p>about 30% are outside the top 5%.</p>

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before posting any questions here i urge everyone to go through the WHOLE Questbridge site.

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<p>That's very good advice. Most of what I've answered on this thread can be found on QuestBridge's site, so it's not as though I have much insider information. Its site is full of resources, tips, statistics, and more, so definitely look into it.</p>

<p>Just so I understand the process...</p>

<p>Student applies for the National College Match. Applications are reviewed by QB. If you aren't selected as a finalist, this is the end of the line for you. If you are selected, you move onto the matching round.</p>

<p>The matching round is basically if a college that you ranked also wants you, then you are in. If you aren't matched, you get moved to the RD round.</p>

<p>And the RD round is basically the same as a normal RD applications, with a possible boost.</p>

<p>Do I have the general idea? Or am I totally off-base? XD</p>

<p>^^ That's about right. Good job, you have successfully comprehended QuestBridge's Match process. :) Just a few clarifications:</p>

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If you aren't selected as a finalist, this is the end of the line for you.

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<p>You can have your application forwarded to the RD round. You can also apply early to any college you'd like. You are not, however, guaranteed a full scholarship.</p>

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The matching round is basically if a college that you ranked also wants you, then you are in.

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<p>Essentially, yes, but you're matched to the school that ranks highest on your list and that also admits you. You could end up getting matched to your third choice if neither of your first two choices admit you.</p>