Official QuestBridge Finalist Results Thread 2014-2015

chaoticpuppy · October 21, 2014, 8:49pm

Sorry, CC has like a new thing where you can’t edit posts after so much time -wasn’t aware…
Decision: FINALIST

Objective: •SAT I (breakdown): 1970 (retaking in Nov)

•ACT: highest single sitting: 31
superscore: 32
highest writing score: 11

•SAT II: 640 WH, 680 Lit, 730 Math II

•Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9620

•Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/575ish (so close to beating out the number on seat >:)

•AP (place score in parenthesis): Psych-5, Chem-3, WH-4 (only god knows how on earth), CalcBC-4 & 4 AB subscore, Lang-3, Human Geography (self study)-3, Environmental (self study/winged it & tried to cram as much as i could the night before >_<)-2,

•IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a

•Senior Year Course Load: AP Stats, AP Bio, AP Physics I, APUSH, Varsity Voices (top choir), AP Lit

•Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Not major, but I mentioned it on app: National Latin Exam Silver Medalist-10th grade

Subjective:
•Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Fall Play, Spring Musical, National ART Honor Society

•Job/Work Experience: n/a

•Volunteer/Community service: n/a

•Summer Activities: One summer I interned at the Urban Institute of Contemporary Arts, but that’s about it.

•Essays (rating 1-10, details): 7, I thought my Biography told my story well and was very raw, but had lackluster language/diction.
8, For my second essay I wrote about an experience that changed me, I chose being in the play and how my peers showed me what it was like to live uninhibitedly (sparkly word, as my Lit teacher would say), and to be free from my insecurities revolving around financial status and all that entails (no money for braces, nice clothes, etcetc)

•Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
•Teacher Rec #1: My choir teacher. Despite being in the top choir (only 16 students!), I’m a very shy singer, and shy person, I gave my teacher my essay and she learned this new side of me. I’d say it was probably a 9/10, because she was so inspired that she finished the recommendation within an hour of me asking, and said she was moved to tears.

•Teacher Rec #2: Chem teacher of junior year. 6. Probably very generic, and just things along the line of a hard worker, always prepared blah bleh bloop.

•Counselor Rec: 10!!! I love my counselor, and she loves me (sorry if that sounds strange). She really understands me both as a student and as a person as far as my motivation for learning, what has shaped me to be who I am today, and all the trials & tribulations (ew, cliche phrase) that I’ve endured (wowie much intense, so drama)

•Additional Rec: n/a

Other
•State (if domestic applicant): Michigan

•Country (if international applicant):

•School Type: Large Public, 2,500-3,000 Students total, VERY DIVERSE

•Ethnicity: Asian, Vietnamese

•Gender: Male

•Income Bracket: 19,000-21,000

•Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First gen, Gay (which I mentioned in one of the short answers)

Reflection
•Strengths: Uniqueness of my situation in regards to …
-father being so elderly and in nursing home w/ Alzheimer’s, dementia, diabetes, and has had 3 strokes. who also had to move 45 minutes away (via highway) because of sexual harassment
-mother who is unable to drive the highway
-family friend who we took in from homelessness so I could have transportation to zero hour, and so my mom and I could have transportation to my father’s nursing home

I’d say I have decent scores
Good GPA
Sexy class rank
I thought my short answers conveyed a TON of voice, personality and intellect

•Weaknesses: I thought my essays were a tad bland, my SAT & SAT IIs are disappointing

•Why you think you were selected/rejected: Uniqueness of situation, Decent stats -GPA, ACT, voice in essays & short answers (I personally think this is most important)

Colleges ranked: 1. BROWN 2. Yale 3. U of Chicago

General Comments: "I see now that the circumstances of one’s birth are irrelevant; it is what you do with the gift of life that determines who you are. " ~ Mewtwo.

GA2012MOM · October 21, 2014, 8:50pm

Thank you HappyCamper.

shankar334 · October 21, 2014, 8:50pm

Decision: Finalist… Woooohhooo!!!

Objective: •SAT I (breakdown): W:790, CR: 760, M:770

•Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): N/A (Weighted is 4.09)

•Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/151

•AP (place score in parenthesis): World History (4) US History (4) Eng Lang (5)

•Senior Year Course Load: AP Lit, AP Calc, AP Gov, Graphic Arts, Gym

•Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar, College Prep Scholar

Subjective:
•Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): A few clubs, VP for NHS, Secretary for Junior Class

•Job/Work Experience: Local Hospital during summer, After school program tutor

•Volunteer/Community service: Local hospital during summer, about 1000 hours at soup kitchen

•Summer Activities: WORK!

•Essays (rating 1-10, details): The bio one was barely good at all…would rate it a 5. I used my common app essay for the other one, would give it a 7

•Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
•Teacher Rec #1: Great one by my english teacher (8)

•Teacher Rec #2: Another good one by history teacher (7)

•Counselor Rec: Meh… (5)

•Additional Rec:

Other
•State (if domestic applicant): NY

•Country (if international applicant):

•School Type: Small Public, pretty poor

•Ethnicity: Asian (Guyanese)

•Gender: Male

•Income Bracket: $18,000

•Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First gen, from poor school and neighborhood

Reflection
•Strengths: Pretty good grades and SAT, and poor compared to other strong academic applicants

•Weaknesses: It was rushed, I did a lot of the writing at the last minute and my counselor was not able to even submit some stuff I think

•Why you think you were selected/rejected: I poured my heart and soul into those essays, I was very genuine. I think my story was pretty unique and was pretty strong.

Colleges ranked: None

General Comments: So excited!!

Kids2smart4Mom · October 21, 2014, 8:53pm

Ok, I’m dying…my son is still at school and won’t be home till after Water Polo practice at 6pm PST!! I want to look!! But I promised!! We’re going to look together! OOOOO Jesus give me strength!
Please help…
Does it say…
“You’re the Match” if you won a full scholarship at one of your rankings??
and “you’re a finalist” if you came close and then you apply to your rankings under RD??
and Sorry if you get nothing?? and then you’re done??

chaoticpuppy · October 21, 2014, 8:56pm

it’ll say Application Update, and then you click that to see.

peace1231 · October 21, 2014, 9:03pm

Decision: FINALIST!

Objective: •SAT I (breakdown): CR: 630 M: 640 W: 610 (not sending to colleges but sent to QB)

•ACT: 30

•SAT II: English Lit: 580 (lol), Math I (630), U.S. HIstory (680) **I will be taking new ones in November

•Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): my school does not send UW to colleges but I was told that mine was a 3.63. My weighted is what is on my transcript and that is a 4.14

•Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): School does not rank

•AP (place score in parenthesis): English Lang (5), U.S. History (3)

•IB (place score in parenthesis):

•Senior Year Course Load:
AP Calculus AB
AP French
AP Psychology
AP Biology
Honors English

•Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
none

Subjective:
•Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Tennis (Captain), French Club (President), Tri-M Honor Society (President), Band/Pep Band/Marching Band (held a small officer position in 10th grade), chorus (was excepted into a music singing festival in 9th grade), National Honor Society member, French National Honor Society member

there might be more I put on the application, I just can’t remember

•Job/Work Experience:
Worked at a non-profit organization for two summers that taught young women of color (ages 7-15) about nutrition, physical activity, healthy relationships and body image.

Worked at another non-profit organization for one summer that focused on rallying for the prevention of violence in the community

Worked for Aristotle Circle during the school year (a private tutoring company)

•Volunteer/Community service:

I have 100+ hours of community service but I didn’t put that anywhere on my application

•Summer Activities:

(see work experience)

•Essays (rating 1-10, details):

I ended up finding a typo in my essay after I submitted it (EEK!) but other than that I worked really hard on them and got lots of feedback from family and teachers so I would give them a 9.

•Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
•Teacher Rec #1: My physics teacher. She has seen me work really hard and come after school nearly every day to understand the material, and when I did understand it I helped my peers after school in her class as well. I didn’t read it but I’m sure it was good so I’ll give it a 9.

•Teacher Rec #2: My AP English teacher. It’s probably really good because we had a good relationship but I didn’t read it so I’ll say 8.

•Counselor Rec: I have no clue I didn’t read it

•Additional Rec: none

Other
•State (if domestic applicant): Massachusetts

•Country (if international applicant): USA

•School Type: public

•Ethnicity: African American

•Gender: Female

•Income Bracket: <35,000

•Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): first generation, URM

Reflection
•Strengths: recommendations, background, essays for the most part, extracurriculars

•Weaknesses: that damn typo on my essay, my gpa, test scores are alright but could be better I think

•Why you think you were selected/rejected: I think I met the qualifications pretty well

Colleges ranked: 1. Brown 2. Yale 3. Dartmouth 4. Tufts

General Comments:
I’m so excited!! I don’t think I’ll get matched but I’m happy to just be a finalist! Congrats to my fellow questies!

Randomqwerty · October 21, 2014, 9:03pm

Decision: REJECTED

Objective: •SAT I (breakdown): n/a
•ACT: 32 Composite single sitting
•SAT II: Will find out 10/28, took US History/French w/o Listening

•Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.875
•Weighted GPA (out of 6.0): 4.9167
•Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 78/621

•AP (place score in parenthesis): APUSH (5), Human Geo (5), Statistics (4), English Lang and Comp (4), Calculus AB (4)
•Senior Year Course Load: Honors Forensic Sciences, Marketing Management, AP French Lang and Culture, AP Microeconomics, Computer Programming I, Honors eCommerce I, Honors International Marketing, AP English Lit and Comp

•Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
FBLA Regional/NC State Champion in Business Calculations (1st Place)
Underclassmen Awards: AP Eng Lang and Comp, Computer Programming I, Medical Science I
AP Scholar with Distinction

Subjective:
•Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Future Business Leaders of America (Treasurer 11th grade, VP 12th grade)
DECA
•Essays (rating 1-10, details): 6-8 Biographical, looking back on it, it may be cliche. I thought it was decent/good at best. 7-8 for the other essay, did it on one thing that I would change about my community, which would be to tackle student apathy in high schools.
•Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
•Teacher Rec #1: 8-10 French teacher for all 4 years of high school, she loves me. I didn’t read it, but she said that she wrote that she would “adopt me if I were up for adoption”.

•Teacher Rec #2: Computer Programming teacher who is also our FBLA advisor, 6-8. She likes me, but I didn’t read the recommendation so I don’t know what she put or how well she said it.

•Counselor Rec: 9-10, my counselor absolutely adores me and has helped me a lot during the QuestBridge process.

Other
•State (if domestic applicant): North Carolina

•Country (if international applicant): n/a

•School Type: Large public school, 3500+ students, very diverse.

•Ethnicity: Asian, Vietnamese and Chinese

•Gender: Male

•Income Bracket: ~32,000

•Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First gen college/American, unemployed parent

Reflection
•Strengths: Scores were decent, think that my recommendations were strong, and academics were pretty good.

•Weaknesses: No SAT/SAT IIs by the app deadline, maybe my essays were too cliche (immigrant parents, blah blah blah), needed more extracurriculars. Class rank probably hurt me.

•Why you think you were selected/rejected: Lack of additional scores to judge me on, cliched, few extracurriculars, class rank

Colleges ranked: 1. UChicago 2. UPenn 3. Northwestern 4. Columbia 5. Yale 6. Emory

General Comments:

melissadgillum · October 21, 2014, 9:16pm

Decision: Finalist!

Objective: •SAT I (breakdown):CR: 730 M: 690 W: 780

•ACT: 31 composite, 34 writing, 30 mathematics

•SAT II:N/A, taking later

•Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.63/ 4.58 weighted

•Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 55/398

•AP (place score in parenthesis): Euro/ 3, APUSH/ 4, Bio/ 4

•IB (place score in parenthesis): Full curriculum

•Senior Year Course Load: IB Calculus, IB Bio III, IB Modern Hist., IB English IV, IB TOK II, IB French B

•Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar Honors Award, NHS, NSHSS, County volunteer award

Subjective:
•Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Cultural Alliance intern, Drama, awards on district and state level, nationally awarded dancer, art activist, etc. (too many to name)

•Job/Work Experience: n/A

•Volunteer/Community service: Too many to name

•Summer Activities: Europe trip from grandmother

•Essays (rating 1-10, details): probably a 9, talked about my anxiety and how my father died of AIDS

•Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
•Teacher Rec #1: English III Teacher, 10, like a mom to me

•Teacher Rec #2: AP Bio teacher, 8, i think she likes me but sometimes she can get strict

•Counselor Rec: 10, very thoughtful, has helped me through adversity

•Additional Rec: n/a

Other
•State (if domestic applicant): Florida

•Country (if international applicant):

•School Type: Public

•Ethnicity: Caucasian

•Gender: Female

•Income Bracket: ~40,000

•Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): AIDS victim

Reflection
•Strengths: essay, extracurriculars, scores, recommendations

•Weaknesses: GPA

•Why you think you were selected/rejected: I’ve been bullied constantly and the fact that my father died of AIDS and devastated my family emotionally and financially

Colleges ranked: N/A

General Comments: I’m honestly shocked.

momcinco · October 21, 2014, 9:19pm

Hi guys, from what it’s worth, here’s a note of encouragement from a mom.

I have to say that after a couple of years following QB applicants on CC (as my own son goes through this), your stats and especially your ECs and life stories are always impressive. If you did not make finalist, that does not mean you are not an exceptional student! It just means there weren’t enough spots this year. So…yes, take a day to absorb the news, but then move on! There is still time for early action or early decision!

Last night I bought S a tub of ice cream and to boot some whipped cream and hot fudge. The idea was, if it’s good news, it’s a celebration party. If it’s “bad” news, we indulge in self pity…then tomorrow get cracking on those early action apps.

Congratulations to finalists and also congratulations to all applicants, for daring to dream and for having the tenacity to pursue your college process. As a previous poster wrote, this is just one hurdle, many more are ahead! Keep your chin up and stick with it!

excitedformyson · October 21, 2014, 9:43pm

Thanks! You intended to comfort students but I am a mom and you comforted me… especially since my son’s heart was SO into the QB application and I know he likes to hide his pain. I am so sorry he is not a finalist and I wish if he had been selected. It would have made the next steps so much easier. However, by tonight I will snap out of the self pity and we will press on!

Do you think it makes sense to apply through QB for the regular decision, or just apply like a regular non QB student? We won’t be applying ED to any school right now…he had an option to be matched, but since he is not a finalist…we are just going to do all regular decisions. let me know what you think about applying through QB or not…anyone. Thanks

Kids2smart4Mom · October 21, 2014, 9:51pm

I’m sorry your son was not chosen, I am waiting to find out if my son was. I want to go to the website and find out but promised I would wait for him to come home and check together.
So, I’m no expert…but I do believe that if you’re NOT a finalist than you can not apply RD through QB. That is only for the finalists that are not chosen through the Match.
Please someone correct me if I’m wrong. I’m trying to figure this out as well.

Good luck to your son @excitedformyson , with a mom as caring as you,
I’m sure he’s going to be fine where ever he ends up attending.

Specula · October 21, 2014, 9:56pm

I am speechless and highly excited right now. I was selected as a Finalist. I am unable to fill out the format but I will do some quick info. I had an 1800 SAT (Very Low). I had stellar extracurriculars which I was able to use to write essays that showed my determination. Congratulations to all other finalists and good luck! Thank you so much QuestBridge!!!

excitedformyson · October 21, 2014, 10:08pm

@kids2smart4mom – No. You can apply for regular decision through QB as a non finalist. However, not all the schools will automatically waive the application fees for non-finalists and non-finalists are sometimes required to provide additional items which finalists are not asked to provide. However, in most cases - the requirements are the same. My guess is also that the chances are better as a non-matched finalist - but I am not sure. I have read lots of threads from non-finalists who say they got the same financial aid packages as finalists who apply through RD… I don’t know that for sure. And undoubtedly, being a finalist is the best thing!

I am 100% sure that you can apply through RD on QB as a non finalist though… I knew from QB website even before today and it is stated in the letter my son received. Yes, he will be fine in the end, but it for today - today ONLY – I feel sad. By tomorrow, it is back at it again! All roads lead to college, some are just easier than others, but he will get there!

I am hoping with you that your son will get finalist status. I would burst in two if I were to wait longer so I admire your restraint. I share in the joy of those who QB scholars and congrats to you… I know tonight will be a happy night for you all… enjoy your moment

excitedformyson · October 21, 2014, 10:18pm

For clarification – when I say you can apply for RD through QB as a on-finalist, I do not mean that you will be a quest scholar. However - you will be able to send your QB application to the school through QB from Dec 01 - Dec 11 - so in addition to putting some eggs in the basket of some non-partner schools, that will be our next step!

emah24 · October 21, 2014, 10:36pm

Decision: Daughter is a FINALIST

Objective: •SAT 2140 (highest single sitting)

•ACT:Did not take

•SAT II: Bio 740, Math 1 760, Chemistry 690

•Weighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.46

•Rank 2 out of 246

•AP (place score in parenthesis): Bio 5, Human Geography 5, Chemistry 4, Statistics 4, English Comp 5, APUSH 5

•Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics, AP Lit, AP Calc A/B, AP Spanish, Civics(school does not level), Band

•Major Awards : a few, not sure of names

Subjective:
•Extracurriculars : Student Council-4years, treasurer Sr. year, Founding member/ office BBYO Chapter, Unified Sports
•Job/Work Experience: Babysitting

•Volunteer/Community service: Special Olympics, Synagogue Fundraising

•Summer Activities: Babysitting

•Essays (rating 1-10, details):10 Both were great I am sure as she is a perfectionist. One of them told about being a multiple, and I was not privvy to know what #2 was about.

•Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
•Teacher Rec #1: 10. AP Bio teacher who thinks she is Gods gift to Bio.Won’t do a recommendation unless he really believes in you.

•Teacher Rec #2 8 or 9. AP Stats teacher. Loved her but the woman herself is blah…can’t imagine it was a 10.

•Counselor Rec: 7, very generic I am sure. She is on 6th counselor in 4 years due to maternity leaves and budget cuts. Does not even really know her.

Other
•State (if domestic applicant): Connecticut

•School Type: Small public, 1000 Students total, “in the country”

•Ethnicity:

•Gender: Female

•Income Bracket: 25K-30K

•Hooks None

Reflection
•Strengths: Family story of father being “clean and sober”, for one year, after addiction for most of her life. Brother with Autism, and still at top of the heap despite.

•Why you think you were selected/rejected: Made it over many stumbling blocks very successfully. #2 in class, and her essays. She is phenomenal writer.

Colleges ranked: 1. Wellesley 2. MIT

biggestsunsfan · October 21, 2014, 10:36pm

Decision: FINALIST

Objective: •SAT I (breakdown): 770 M, 730 W, 580 CR

•ACT: 32 C- 34 E, 35 M, 29 R, 29 S

•SAT II: 770 Math 2, 760 Physics

•Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.88

•Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/639

•AP (place score in parenthesis): 10th grade: Calc AB (4), AP World History (3). 11th grade: Calc BC (4, AB subscore 5), Physics B (4), AP Language and Comp (5), APUSH (4). 12th grade: AP Spanish, AP Government, AP Macroeconomics, AP Literature and Composition

•IB (place score in parenthesis): NA

•Senior Year Course Load: Multivariable Calculus III, University Physics I: Mechanics, AP Spanish, AP Government, AP Macroeconomics, AP Literature and Composition, US History 4 Honors (Internship).

•Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): 2014 QuestBridge National College Match Finalist, 2014 QuestBridge College Prep Scholar, Fein Fellow (Only 48 in the country selected), AP Scholar w/ Distinction, NHD (Physics Project) Regional Champion, NHD (Physics Project) State Finalist- 4th place, Eagle Pride Award, 2013 Swim MVP, 2014 Swim MVP, National Honor Society, Society of Male Scholars.

Subjective:
•Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): 
Swimming 6 years (Varsity 4 years) 2014 Varsity Captain
TSA Club- Auto CAD (Co-Founder, Vice President)
Water Polo (2 years)
Intern for Computer Software Company (12)
Everyone Can Swim Program (teaching persons with disabilities how to swim and be safe around water), soon to be foundation once registered through IRS (Founder, Coordinator and Instructor)
Academy of American Studies (9,10,11,12)
NHS (10,11,12)
Society of Male Scholars (11,12)

•Job/Work Experience: Intern for a computer software company. Also, personal physics tutor for summer school students.

•Volunteer/Community service:
Relay For Life (9,10,11,12)
Feed My Starving Children (10,11,12)
Swimming (Timing, running meets, etc. 6 years). I am very involved in the swimming community and have participated in numerous events such as “Swim from Alcatraz” and “Golden Gate Swim” for the F.A.S.T. Foundation.

•Summer Activities: Organizing and running the Everyone Can Swim Program at SpoFit Center for Persons with Disabilities, 3 hours, 3 days a week for 6 weeks, training and competing for swimming, water polo and triathlons, and this summer I attended the QuestBridge National Admissions Conference at Stanford.

•Essays (rating 1-10, details): Both essay were pretty good. The first one I told the story of my mom being diagnosed with stage 4 breast cancer and how her passing effected my family financially and emotionally. The other one I focused on the program I started. For a little bit of context, when I was 11 my mother died of stage 4 breast cancer and shortly after that my dad lost his job and my sister went through a drug and alcohol stage and dropped out of HS.

•Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
•Teacher Rec #1: Calc Teacher- 8. Probably pretty good but I haven’t read it so idk.

•Teacher Rec #2: 9-10. AP Lang teacher. She loved me so I am sure it is really good.

•Counselor Rec: 9-10 My counselor is in love with me so I am sure this one is great as well.

•Additional Rec: 9-10 My high school swim coach. This one is probably very good too.

Other
•State (if domestic applicant): Arizona

•Country (if international applicant): USA

•School Type: Public (2500+)

•Ethnicity:Caucasian

•Gender: Male

•Income Bracket: $32,000 without retirement distributions, $72,000 with.

•Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First gen.

Reflection
•Strengths: Good ACT, good ECs and I have a good story.

•Weaknesses: Low CR SAT score, decent GPA.

•Why you think you were selected/rejected: I have a good story and I am academically competitive.

Colleges ranked:

Stanford
Princeton
MIT
Yale
Caltech

General Comments: I was worried I wouldn’t be a finalist because of my income with retirement distributions. I am worried that my income may kill my chances for a match but I guess I’ll have to wait and see. Those distributions are not going to be available next year so we are expecting a large drop in income.

kuan9611 · October 21, 2014, 10:59pm

Decision: Rejected

Objective: •SAT I (breakdown): N/A

•ACT: 34E/36M/36R/35S/8 Essay 35 Composite

•SAT II: N/A

•Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0

•Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 10% (my school doesn’t do ranking)

•AP (place score in parenthesis): USH (5), Lit (4), Calc BC (5), Stats (5)

•IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A

•Senior Year Course Load: AP Chem, AP Physics C, AP Lang, Calc III, other honor courses

•Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Semifinalist, AIME Qualifier

Subjective:
•Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Quiz Bowl (11~12, Co-captain) participating in regional competitions; Earth Club (9~12, VP) conducting weekly recycling and environmental projects; Technology Student Association (10~12, Treasurer) attending conferences, placing in events and maintaining financial records; NHS (11/12) tutoring Math and Chinese, engaging in community service projects.

•Job/Work Experience: Summer lawn mowing job; working as HS intern at major university

•Volunteer/Community service: STEM camp (for middle school kids) teaching assistant

•Summer Activities: lawn mowing, trip to Beijing

•Essays (rating 1-10, details): first - 9, I worked on this one during the summer and revised it several times (my English teacher also read it and loved it); second - 7, I did not spend as much time on this one, and it may be somewhat cliche

•Recommendations (rating 1-10): probably 6~8 (both loved me as a student, though I did not read)

•Counselor Rec: same

•Additional Rec: N/A

Other
•State (if domestic applicant): TN

•Country (if international applicant): I’m Chinese national and US permanent resident

•School Type: Public

•Ethnicity: Asian

•Gender: Male

•Income Bracket: ~18,000

•Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Anti-Hook?

Reflection
•Strengths: GPA, Test Scores, essay&short answers

•Weaknesses: EC’s not as impressive, no SAT II (I took it in October)

•Why you think you were selected/rejected: uh…

Colleges ranked: NU, MIT, Rice, Vandy

General Comments: I was genuinely surprised… Still, congratulations to all the finalists and best wishes to other QB participants!

nrnr29 · October 21, 2014, 11:06pm

Reading your posted info and seeing how many difficult struggles all of you have had to overcome, finalist or not, really warms my heart and makes me okay with not being a finalist because you all deserve it!

As for those of us who did not become finalists, it doesn’t mean we didn’t deserve it either or haven’t worked hard, just there weren’t enough spots for everyone. Now to keep working hard and pursue our dreams and goals – it is not the end of the road! We have the advantage over many of having our Questbridge application to apply RD to some awesome schools that might accept us through RD. We can improve upon the application and add those test scores we weren’t able to squeeze in, or those extracurriculars that we have started and done since we had to submit the application. Don’t give up, and best wishes to us all!

npswimmer44 · October 21, 2014, 11:10pm

Decision: Finalist

Objective: •SAT I (breakdown): 1840 - did not submit

•ACT: 34C : 34 E 33M 33R 34S

•SAT II: Took Chem, BioM, and Math II, will find out October 28th.

•Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.905

•Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 15/~270

•AP (place score in parenthesis): Human Geography (5), US History (4), English Language and Comp. (4), Biology (3), Chemistry (3)

•IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A

•Senior Year Course Load: AP US Government, AP English Lit. and Comp., AP Statistics, Ceramics, Economics, AP Calculus AB, AP Physics I

•Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): QB CPS? Not really sure if I had anything outstanding here.

Subjective:
•Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Swimming (11 x Reserve Conference Champion, 2 x Captain, 2 x School Record Holder), Equestrian (Reserve World Champion, 3rd All-Around at World Show, National Direction of Association, Multiple State High Point Awards), National Honors Society

•Job/Work Experience: lifeguard every summer

•Volunteer/Community service: 400+ hours as an assistant swim coach for our middle school, and about 100+ hours for volunteer lifeguarding at community events

•Summer Activities: working, competing in swimming and equestrian events

•Essays (rating 1-10, details): I would say my biographical essay was definitely a 10. My English teacher said when she read it, she was astounded and cried for a long time. It had to do a lot with my family situation and how my father was extremely abusive.

•Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
•Teacher Rec #1: English Teacher - she adores me haha, I would say about an 8-9

•Teacher Rec #2: Science Teacher - she taught me college biochem for three years and really enjoyed me. She said she “made me sound like a rockstar,” so based upon that, an 9-10?

•Counselor Rec: If my counselor had to write something about me it would be extremely positive - she really enjoys talking to me about my college plans and especially this application.

•Additional Rec:

Other
•State (if domestic applicant): Indiana

•Country (if international applicant):

•School Type: Rural Public

•Ethnicity: White

•Gender: Male

•Income Bracket: ~30,000; ~60,000 with child support; however, now I am 18, so my mom will no longer be receiving child support

•Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Not sure really :/

Reflection
•Strengths: Probably my test scores and EC

•Weaknesses: Income

•Why you think you were selected/rejected: I think a lot of it had to do with my essays and showing who I was, along with the fact that my mom will be supporting five kids in college next year.

Colleges ranked: Notre Dame, Stanford, Princeton, MIT, Yale

General Comments: Congratulations to everyone who got selected! And to everyone who didn’t get selected: you’re still an amazing student. This is not the end of the road for you. :)

NIGHTLOCK · October 21, 2014, 11:20pm

Decision: Finalist

Objective: •SAT I (breakdown): 2nd Try Single Sitting (800CR, 800M, 710W); Super score with 740W.

•ACT: 35C 2nd Try Single Sitting

•SAT II: Math II, USH, Chemistry (Scores come out 10/28)

•Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.88/4.00 (4.91/5.00W)

•Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/476

•AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Calculus BC (5,5) APUSH (5) AP Chinese (5) AP Spanish (3) AP Chemistry (3) AP Physics: Mechanics (2, lol)

•IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A

•Senior Year Course Load: AP Composition and Literature, AP Biology, Government/Economics Honors, Biotechnology Honors, Brief Calculus Honors (to freshen up on math), some electives…

•Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): NMSF, AP Scholar w/ Distinction, QB FINALIST

Subjective:
•Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Marching Band (9)
NHS (11,12)
HOSA (10,11,12) (Treasurer)
Spanish Club (11,12) (Secretary)
Tennis (10,11,12)
FBLA (12)
City’s Youth Advisory Board (12)

•Job/Work Experience:
Work in school cafeteria during lunchtime helping serve students.

•Volunteer/Community service:
About 200 hours at a nursing home (9,10,11)
About 50 hours for NHS
Light the Night Walk for Leukemia
Tutoring students in math after school

•Summer Activities:
Visit grandparents in China
sleep
Play RuneScape (I’m such a nerd)

•Essays (rating 1-10, details): 9-10, I think it was a solid portrayal of how an event in my early life continues influencing me today and reflective rather than sentimental. I didn’t have anyone revise my essay or even read it though because it was somewhat personal…so it could have not been as good as I thought.

•Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):
•Teacher Rec #1: 8; Calculus teacher, known her for a while

•Teacher Rec #2: 9-10; Amazing English teacher; really inspired me to write my best essays for him; I’ve heard he writes really personal and great recommendations.

•Counselor Rec: 8-9; Knows me very well since I go to him with questions so often lol.

•Additional Rec: N/A

Other
•State (if domestic applicant): ARIZONA!!

•Country (if international applicant): USA

•School Type: Large Public

•Ethnicity: Asian

•Gender: XY

•Income Bracket: Roughly 25K

•Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): 1st generation American

Reflection
•Strengths: Rank, SAT, Strong essay/short responses?

•Weaknesses: ECs by far, not a lot of leadership either (I’m an introvert, and I’ll only pursue activities that really really enjoy.)

•Why you think you were selected/rejected: I thought my essays and short responses truly represented my personality.

Colleges ranked: Rice, Dartmouth, UPenn, Columbia, Stanford, Princeton, Yale, Brown (I’d be happy going to any of these and besides, it’s a FULL RIDE!)

General Comments: SO EXCITED! CONGRATS TO ALL ACCEPTED AND DON’T WORRY IF YOU WERE’NT. I’M SURE EVERYONE WILL END UP EXACTLY WHERE THEY WANT TO BE! Now I have to finish roughly 24 total essays to 8 colleges in a week plus short responses lol. What fun.

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