Hello! I am currently a rising senior interested in applying to more competitive Ivy League and top-tier schools. I plan to apply for the Questbridge National Match. However, I heard that the match is VERY competitive because the majority of applicants have similar academic stats and parental income levels. Based on the info provided below, would I have a chance to be matched if I decide not to submit any test scores aside from AP exams? Since I plan to only apply to Stanford and MIT if I am selected as a finalist, should I consider Early Action instead? What are the pros and cons of each option? Do you guys also have any advice for the application process?
I have taken a total of 11 Pre-AP/honor courses and 18 AP courses throughout high school (including my senior classes for this upcoming school year).
I am ranked 1 out of a class size of 428.
I am involved in 10 extracurricular clubs/community programs, such as Science National Honor Society and the Chemistry Club, and have leadership positions in half of them.
I recently created the Research Club as and have placed several times in science fair competitions and other contests associated with the field of science.
My parents' income levels are quite low (below $65K).
My opinion is that QB is a worthwhile program even if your chances are very low for becoming a finalist. The benefits of being in the program, from the support throughout the college app process, to the extra consideration many schools give to those who do go through the program even if they do not get the QB Match are excellent.
A major factor in getting selected is having a zero FAFSA EFC. You do not say if you do qualify.
I agree with everything @cptofthehouse said with one caveat about the FAFSA EFC. (Expected Family Contribution)
You can be matched to a school if you dont have a Fafsa EFC of 0. Some schools do their own financial algorithms and although not having a FAFsa EFC of 0, you could have an EFC of 0 for the school you are applying to. Complicated, I know.
I suggest really looking through the questbridge website, clicking on each questbridge school page that interests you.
Do a Net Price Calculator for the schools you are interested in to get an idea if your family would have any expected contribution. You get your official EFC once you fill out your FAFSA. There are EFC calculators out there, but we didnt find it very accurate for our family, so I dont suggest it.
One thing about MIT and stanford- both schools are really hard to get into whether you are applying through questbridge or not. Please keep that in mind. One benefit of applying MIT through QB is even if you dont match, you can ask them to rollover your app into EA because they review Questbridge before EA.
Also, look at the other schools that partner with Questbridge that has your major. You may find a school you wouldnt mind going to.
Yes, it is definitely worth it, especially as a high-stats, low income student.
In 2019, 14,926 applied and there were 5,842 finalists. Of these, 1,127 were matched and received full scholarships at one of the colleges on their lists. Another 2,000 finalists or so were accepted to at least one of the colleges on their list, usually with a good financial offer. So about 7.6% of all applicants get accepted ED to a QB college with a full scholarship, and other 20% are accepted RD, usually with good funding.
Since most of these colleges have acceptance levels which are far below 28%, it is clearly worthwhile.
So look at their website, and start putting together your application.