<p>So I was really pumped about the Questbridge application, but I’m having second thoughts about whether it’s worth applying with. </p>
<p>I went to the college prep conference at Stanford (which, by the way, was awesome), and one of the things I asked all the admissions officers at the college fair was whether they recommended applying via Questbridge or not. The resounding reply I got was that it doesn’t really make a difference how you apply, and that the extra essays on the QB app most likely aren’t worth the time. In fact, the Princeton admissions officer told me that “Because we are only able to dedicate between ten and twenty minutes to each application, we usually only have time to read the Common Application for QuestBridge applicants and skim over their QB essays.” And she also said that if I was into applying early, I would have better chances through the SCEA program than the Match.</p>
<p>So what are the benefits of the Match? If you get matched, you obviously get a full ride, but the percentage of applicants that actually get matched in the first round is so small that most students with near perfect applications still don’t stand a chance. If you don’t get matched, you’re in the RD round like everyone else, and as such, you’re not gauranteed any particular financial aid.</p>
<p>If you are low income enough that you get a full ride, or near full ride, through QB, then chances are, you’ll get a similar package if you apply
normally.</p>
<p>QB also boasts that it allows students to apply for free, which can be a big plus, but they forget to mention that just about anyone eligible for QB is eligible to have their application fees waived anyway…</p>
<p>So what is the incentive of using QB? I don’t want to write an extra 5 essays if I don’t get anything out of it.</p>
<p>I’m with clandarkfire. What exactly are the benefits?</p>
<p>You don’t have five extra essays for QB, I actually didn’t write any new ones at all (they were all used for other applications). There are, however, short responses. I think a major benefit is that you get the chance to apply to many different schools EA/ED. If you’re talking Princeton/Stanford level, you can apply to Princeton, Stanford, Yale, MIT, Notre Dame, all without being binded to that school. I applied match and was matched to Yale. It was incredible to have an acceptance December 1st. I do think the essays make the most difference only if you have a great story to tell. Just my two cents.</p>
<p>Should I apply to QuestBridge even though I’m almost positive I won’t be matched? Is it worth the trouble, and does being a QB applicant help during RD at all? I don’t want it to waste time if I could spend working on the Common App.</p>
<p>You can always apply, and if you are a finalist just use QB for Regular Decision and then apply to a single school that you really like for EA/ED (if you think you won’t be matched). Worst case scenario with QB, you started your applications early (And the QB app is still a good base for when you’re filling out the Common App).</p>
<p>The benefit is if you are a finalist every app fee for every participating college is waived. That can be a savings of over $1000 if you apply to many schools. There are even a few who will waive your fee even if you don’t make finalist (i.e. NU and Yale).</p>
<p>Question: how much of the college prep application can roll over into the college match one? I know that some of it can, but not sure which parts.</p>
<p>Lizzie: We have a HUGE question as to whether the recommendation rolls over-D’s teacher spent alot of time on the college prep recomendation, I would like for it to roll over and to not have to do it AGAIN…Does anyone know? Then we can use the other teacher recommendations for the common ap.</p>
<p>@Olipond My son needed new recommendations for College Match last year; don’t know if that’s changed. His basic information carried over to the Match application, so there was less entry time for the name, address, scores kind of data. The good news is that you’ll be able to ask for recommendations in August, before most kids are even thinking about it.</p>
<p>@Olipond: My teacher told me that she saved the recommendation she wrote on a separate word document. Hopefully your teacher did the same.</p>
<p>i have a quick question guys…
i am in a very unique financial situation because my parents are not in US. I am a citizen, and i am currently living with my sister, and we are financially supported by my parents (2000 dollars a month).
The thing is that, my parents do not have a job, and they are actually doing a humanitarian work in a third world country (since 2005).
the problem is that i simply do not have any sort of income tax documents to prove my financial situation. My sister actually has paid income tax of 75 dollars this year, but i am pretty sure that wouldnt work out, cuz my parents have supported us as well… </p>
<p>and this fall, i would be living by myself because my sister just got a job in Korea. Thus, i am pretty sure that i won’t be able to use my sister’s income tax documents to validify my financial status… </p>
<ol>
<li>my parents support my sister and me with 2000 dollars a month. </li>
<li>my parents are not employed and they are have been out of state–no income tax documents</li>
<li>i will be living by myself from this fall, so i cannot use my sister’s income tax documents. </li>
<li>how can i prove my financial situation to QB?</li>
</ol>
<p>@wkddnrwls Copy what you wrote down and email that to QB staff. I had a tricky financial situation as well and they answered everything I had a question about :)</p>
<p>quick question:
when applying through questbridge do you still need super high SAT or ACT scores?
if you apply through their regular decision program do you have to pay a application fee?
thanks</p>
<p>@hosahannah, while good grades and high SAT/ACT scores are important, QB factors in more than just stats. Go look at the Match/Finalist Profiles on the QB website for more info. I really think the essays are important as they are the best way to show them just who you are. As for the regular decision, you don’t have to pay application fees if you’re a finalist, and there are even some schools that will waive the fee for non-finalists.</p>
<p>I sent an email to the Curry School of Education, but I want your opinions, as well. If I did QuestBridge, the only school I would apply to as a special education major is the University of Virginia because after the second year of attendance I would transfer to the Curry School of Education to earn my Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree. Do you think it’s worth it to do QuestBridge for one school?</p>
<p>Awaiting the application in August!</p>
<p>Does anyone know last year’s essay prompts? Are they basically common app prompts/college prep prompts?</p>
<p>On the 2010 questbridge app, first is the Personal background which you have to write. The prompt says:</p>
<p>“We are interested in learning more about you and the context in which you have grown up, formed your aspirations and accomplished you academic successes. Please describe the factors and challenged that have most shaped your personal life and aspirations. How have these factors caused you to grow? 800 word limit?”</p>
<p>Then there is essays # and there are three prompts (you choose one):</p>
<ol>
<li>Describe an experience that you have had or a concept you have learned about that intellectually excites you. When answering this question, you may want to consider some of the following questions: WHy does this topic excite you? How does it impact the way you or others experience the world? What questtions do you continue to ponder about it? 500 word limit"</li>
<li>“If you could change one thing about your community, what would it be and why? 500 word limit”</li>
<li>“A range of academic interests, personal perspectives, and life experiences adds much to the educational mix. Given your background, please describe an experience that illustrates what you would bring to the diversity in a college community, or an encounter thhat demonstrated the importance of diversity to you. 500 word limit”</li>
</ol>
<p>Then there is Essay #2 with only one prompt:</p>
<p>“Evaluate a significant experience, achievement, risk you have taken, or ethical dilemma you have faced and its impact on you. 500 word limit”</p>
<p>yay, i hope it’s the same prompts :)</p>
<p>Checking the past essays for QuestBridge, the personal background/biographical essay has remained the same as well as the second essay. The essay with the three prompts sometimes varies though the last two prompts seem to be consistent.</p>