I know when applying to QB match, if you do not match to a college the first time around most colleges will view your application in the RD round. However, do colleges really do that? If you are rejected the first time, what would change the second time?
Is there anyone on CC who was rejected to QB schools but later accepted in the RD round?
There are articles by kids all over the internet speaking to the veracity of this.
The overall #s themselves point to such. Last year, around 4100 of the 4800 or so QB Finalists tried to Match. Only 657 or 16% of those 4100 or so actually Matched. But in the end, a little over 1/2 I believe of all QB Finalists did gain admission to a QB Partner college. The vast majority of those acceptances thus occurred in the RD round.
In some instances, those trying to Match, but who do not, are then immediately contacted by a school that they tried to Match with… urging the applicant to apply EA or ED. And many are accepted that way too.
Failing to be Matched does not mean that the school is actually passing or rejecting the application. Matching is far more than just an acceptance… it is a 4 year full ride scholarship. And the colleges are likely looking to those that Match with as a special category of acceptances.
But since QB partner colleges are supposed to be committed to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need generally, those who are ultimately accepted EA, ED or RD will still get very excellent financial aid packages. It may not be a guaranteed 4 year full ride, and it may not gain the instant attention of being matched, but it will likely be very competitive to any FA offering the applicant receives elsewhere.
@WWWard So does QB provide an advantage in the fact that you can apply twice?
I believe so. The QB Partner Colleges that you attempt to Match with certainly do have the opportunity to review your application packet twice… once early on in a smaller applicant pool during the NCM phase and again potentially in the later round, whether EA, ED or RD.
And it is also of course especially helpful when applying to any QB Partner College to be a QB Finalist.