@Rainingcats This will definitely depend on the college. Try searching for the college’s QB FAQ website if they have one, and if not, google “[college] QuestBridge interview” and see what comes up. If you still don’t have an answer, I’d say to contact the school directly, but I don’t think you need to worry about that too much until after you submit your application.
Made this account to throw this in here and give some more perspective as to who was/wasn’t accepted. Prefacing this by saying that I didn’t rank colleges, I didn’t like my odds with the college match route. Still applying ED to my top school though via CommonApp.
Decision: Non-Finalist
Schools Ranked: Did not rank
Objective:
- SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): 1410, Essay - 11, ERW - 750, Math - 660
ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): 32 - SAT II (Type, Score): n/a
- Weighted GPA (out of ??): 3.81 out of 5.00
- Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): n/a
- Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): n/a
- AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Comp Gov (5), APUSH, AP Lang, AP Psych, AP Gov, AP Human (4)
- IB (place score in parenthesis): n/a
- Senior Year Course Load: AP Econ (Micro/Macro), AP Chinese, AP Eng Lit, Calc, Physics, Photo 2
- Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar with Distinction, work/community service awards.
Subjective:
- Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Member of three national honor societies (and vice-president and secretary in two of them), member of volunteer club, court prevention program (where I function as an attorney).
- Job/Work Experience: Deli work (the entirety of sophomore year), supermarket work (the entirety of junior year)
- Volunteer/Community service: Habitat for Humanity, Special Olympics
- Summer Activities: Attended a National Security & Counterintelligence program at Georgetown U; sponsored by my town’s Council of World Affairs to experience the program.
- Essays: My biographical essay talked about some of the circumstances I found myself in, how I struggled as a low-income kid in a very high-income environment and how I picked up stealing but managed to get past that (and that I recognize how it could’ve affected my life). I talked about how now that I’m in a unique position as a student who’s been through difficult circumstances but still on the path to rising out of them, that I have a responsibility to speak for those who feel voiceless due to their situation (like I felt for the longest time). I’d say an 8 or 9/10, but I’m not sure.
My topical essay sort of dived around and talked about intentions and how they relate to cause and effect, the likes. It was pretty broad; it talked about the US prison systems, the presence of corporations and money in the government, and so on. Probably a little difficult for an essay reader to catch onto. Probably a 6 or 7/10. - Teacher Recommendations: Got a recommendation from my AP Lang teacher, and from my AP Human/Psych teacher. My AP Lang teacher was in pretty high demand, and he said he picked me because I was honest and straightforward in my writing/our interactions (as opposed to other students who did what they thought would please him). Had several personal/thought-driven conversations just for the sake of it towards the end of junior year. Definitely a 9/10. AP Human/Psych teacher and I have gotten along since freshmen year, she’s been very supportive of me and what I’ve been doing (and she’s mostly aware of my situation as well - I keep it pretty hush-hush). Our engagements have been pretty limited out-of-classroom though. Probably a 7/10.
- Counselor Rec: I’ve had great, even philosophical conversations with my counselor, and we seemed to hit it off well. Obviously our interaction has been limited beyond the last few months or so with college applications. Probably an 8/10.
Other
- State (if domestic applicant): Florida
- School Type: Private
- Ethnicity: White
- Gender: Male
- Income Bracket: ~$20,000
- Assets: $0
- Property: $0
- Extenuating Circumstances: No communication with father whatsoever; mother has been raising all five of us (she has cancer and takes a disability check), and since my older two siblings have moved out I’ve taken on the bulk of the work attempting to raise my younger siblings, whilst working to help support said siblings. Been competing in a high income, college prep environment without the resources generally expected of said students. Out-of-school extracurriculars have been impossible due to family/work situation.
- Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Sister is a QuestBridge Scholar, low-income situation
Why you think you were a finalist and general comments: Obviously this section is a little irrelevant. Honestly not totally sure why I wasn’t selected - my essays were probably average of QB applicants as far as those go. Probably not as vocal about my circumstances as I could’ve been (though my extraneous circumstances section was definitely fleshed-out) - it sort of just feels like selling my soul away to get accepted. I was under the impression that not ranking colleges wouldn’t necessarily have a huge effect on my application, but maybe it might’ve - not sure.
Decision: Finalist
Schools Ranked: Rice, Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Duke, Columbia, UChicago, Yale, Brown, Swarthmore
Objective:
SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): Comp 1550, No Essay, EBRW 800, Math 750
ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): Comp 34, Essay 11, English 36, Math 31, Reading 36, Science 31
SAT II (Type, Score): English Literature 770, World History 720, and Math II 580 (yuck)
Weighted GPA (out of 5.0): 4.7ish
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Homeschooled so no rank
AP (place score in parenthesis): World History (5), Music Theory (5), Latin (4), English Language (5), Human Geography (5), Psychology (5), European History (5), US Government (5), Environmental Science (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis): Homeschooled so no IB
Senior Year Course Load: AP English Literature, AP US History, AP Statistics, AP Comparative Government, AP Micro/Macroeconomics, Physics, and Senior Thesis class
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National AP Scholar, National Merit Commended, a lot of National Latin Exam gold medals
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Speech and Debate (debate and extemp captain since 10th grade; placed at many competitions at the state, regional, and national level), Competitive piano (selected as an ambassador for an organization that plays community concerts around our city, babysat my piano teacher’s son for years in exchange for lessons,), Irish Dance (assisted as an instructor for one year to pay for my own lessons and made it to the prelim championship level), Honor Society (secretary in 10th grade and president for 11th),
Job/Work Experience: Started teaching piano lessons at 14 and have been teaching 10-15 students since I started 10th grade (one day each week I teach lessons from 2:30-9 p.m.), piano accompanist since 13, tutored middle school Latin last as a junior, taught a week-long advanced policy debate camp in August 2018
Volunteer/Community service: Since freshman year, I’ve played community concerts with a group of other high school age pianists at homeless shelters, nursing homes, and elementary schools. As president of the honor society, I’ve also organized plenty of service projects throughout my community for our group.
Summer Activities: In June, I went to Minnesota for speech and debate nationals. In July, I was selected as the pianist for a chamber music festival and participated in two and a half weeks of an intensive rehearsal and performance schedule. In August, I helped to teach an advanced team policy debate camp.
Essays: Bio Essay was probably 8/10. I rewrote this one over and over again trying to find the right balance between telling my story and conveying the challenges I’ve overcome while also not sounding “whiny.” My personality’s always been optimistic and hopeful, and I didn’t want my essays to paint me as someone who’s “gloom and doom.” Even though I definitely could have improved this essay if I’d spent more time on it, I was pretty happy with the final product. Topical essay wasn’t as good in my opinion- maybe 7/10? I whipped it out right before the deadline and didn’t have much time to edit. It’s not written poorly, but I don’t think it’s as strong as the Bio essay.
Teacher Recommendations: Waived my right to see recs, but I’m guessing they were both decent. First teacher is my science co-op teacher of 3 years. She’s known me a long time and really loves me, so I’m betting hers was probably 9/10. Second teacher is my rhetoric teacher of 2 years. She is an amazing writer and an excellent teacher, but she doesn’t give out raving recommendation letters. I’m sure she put in a good word for me, though. 8/10?
Counselor Rec: As a homeschooler, my counselor is my mom. She loves me. She hasn’t shown me the letter since I technically waived my right to see it (AND IN THIS FAMILY WE PLAY BY THE RULES), but I’m sure it’s 10/10.
Other
State (if domestic applicant): Texas
School Type: Homeschooled
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: ~38,000 without unemployment payments, ~48,000 with unemployment
Assets: Not sure of the exact numbers, but we own our house and we have one car
Property: Not sure
Extenuating Circumstances: My dad has been unemployed for several stints during my high school years- a total of 20 months from my freshman through junior year in high school. With each new job he’s taken, he’s been forced to take a significant pay cut. My mom has severe crippling fibromyalgia, which prevents her from working and has forced me to become very independent in my middle/high school years. I started teaching piano lessons at 14 to pay for the classes I wanted to take, and all the money I’ve earned goes toward paying for school.
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Nothing in particular? I’m homeschooled but I’ve still experienced significant financial challenges, which is probably the most unique piece of my application.
Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments:**
I think I was most likely selected as a finalist because of my academics, extracurriculars and essays. My financial situation is certainly not as difficult as some applicants, and I don’t really have any other significant “hooks” except for typical challenges faced by low-income families. However, I have worked my tail off studying for SATs, ACTs, AP tests, and regular classes throughout high school, and my grades/scores show my commitment and “grit factor.” I’ve worked hard at my extracurriculars, and I think that they each showed long-term commitment. I poured my heart into my bio essay and tried to show the spirit of hope and optimism with which I have faced the challenges I have experienced in my high school years. Of course, there’s no telling what happens behind the scenes in the admissions committee, but that’s my guess at what helped me out.
Congrats guys!!
Decision: Non-finalist
Schools Ranked: Northwestern, UChicago, Columbia, Yale
Objective:
SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): Comp - 1530, Essay - 14 (yeah I know), ERW - 790, M - 740
ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): didn’t take
SAT II (Type, Score): Math I - 660, U.S. History - 660, Literature - 790
Weighted GPA: n/a
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): n/a
AP (place score in parenthesis): no APs available
IB (place score in parenthesis): no IBs available
Senior Year Course Load: Precalc/Trig, World History, Ancient Lit, Chem (w/o lab), Health, Theology, Latin 4, Spanish 3
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Scholar semifinalist, National Spanish Exam medals (silver one year, gold another), National Latin Exam silver medal, inclusion in a poetry anthology
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Beta Club (9th-12th; secretary in 11th, president in 12th); theatre (actor, 2 shows a year; 10th-12th); bible study (9th-12th); yearbook (9th-10th)
Job/Work Experience: lifeguard/swim instructor for two summers (25 hours a wk/12 wks a yr); swim instructor at another pool year-round (10-15 hrs a wk)
Volunteer/Community service: about 100 hours as a swim instructor aide through Jr. Guards; about 100 hours at local animal shelter; about 100 hrs in grassroots campaigning
Summer Activities: went to a five-week summer program at Savannah College of Art & Design last summer
Essays: I liked my bio essay but I think I focused too much on one topic (mental illness) and didn’t touch on other challenging aspects of my background… so 7/10? Wrote my topical essay in one day but it turned out really well (8.5/10). Short answers are where I failed… accidentally deleted some of my answers five minutes before the application deadline and had to rush to re-enter them.
Teacher Recommendations: One of my recommenders (Spanish teacher) likes me (and my work ethic) but doesn’t know me crazy well, so probably 7/10. My other recommender (11th grade co-op teacher) and I butted heads a bit but she knows my family and our circumstances really well, and she loved my essays… maybe 8/10?
Counselor Rec: I’m homeschooled, so my mom wrote it… presumably 10/10, though I’m not sure how QuestBridge feels about the whole counselor/parent thing.
Other:
State (if domestic applicant): CA
School Type: Homeschooled
Ethnicity: Asian/Caucasian
Gender: F
Income Bracket: tax returns show >$80,000, but more like <$50,000
Assets: $0
Property: small piece of land that’s worth about $1000, owe about $200,000 on our home
Extenuating Circumstances: My dad is currently on disability and has been since Jan. of this year.
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): not much… I’m homeschooled?
Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments: My financial situation is nothing compared to the difficulties that other applicants face, and I also didn’t do a good job explaining my background. The fact that I’m homeschooled with no APs or community college classes also probably didn’t look good for me.
According to the data from the 2018 National College Match Finalist Profile, 16,248 people applied and 6,507 people became finalists
Decision: Finalist
Schools Ranked: Wellesley and Yale, in that order
Objective:
- [] SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): 1470 comp, 780 CR and 680 M, 16 CW
[] ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): N/A
[] SAT II (Type, Score): N/A
[] Weighted GPA (out of ??): 4.518 out of 5.0
[] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.89 to 4.0
[] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 3rd out of ~350 (most likely getting bumped up to second by end of year, given things go well)
[] AP (place score in parenthesis): Human Geography (4), World History (4), Psychology (4), European History (4), Microeconomics (4)
[] IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A, not offered
[] Senior Year Course Load: AP United States Government and Politics, AP Art History, AP Environmental Science, Dual Enrollment Introduction to Astronomy, Dual Enrollment Applied Ethics, Dual Enrollment Introduction to Statistics, Dual Enrollment Philosophy of Politics and Justice, Dual Enrollment World Religions
[] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National History Day Outstanding Entry (State), College Prep Scholar, various school awards from both community college and high school
Subjective:
[ul]
[] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): National Honor Society (Historian, Head of Education Committee, Co-Head of Fundraising Committee), Mathematics Team (Founder and Lead Researcher), National History Day participant (competitive for 5 years), Writer and Editor for The Student Scientist, Cooking for family most of the time, Taking care of family pets (7 animals with heavy emphasis on making sure they get their medications on time)
[] Job/Work Experience: None
[] Volunteer/Community service: Volunteer at Humane Society most Saturdays
[] Summer Activities: Working on my NHD research project, volunteering at Humane Society, reading, family responsibilites
[li] Essays: Biographical (8/10)-I discussed moving around a lot and having to adapt to different places and people (which ties into my love of psychology and learning about people). Quite personal but nothing crazy, it was a pretty solid essay.[/li]
Topical (9/10)-I chose to talk about a shift in my perspective and how driving with my dad and the phrase "It isn't rocket science" caused me to have a different way of seeing obstacles. Personal to me, representative of my character, and a good insight into how I'd handle a college environment
Historial Figure (10/10)-Talked about Dorothea Dix and how I would have asked her how she felt about her accomplishments being swept under the rug even now and how much she inspired me as a woman having to face sexism when all she wanted to do was make things better for the incarcerated and mentally ill.
Best Accomplishment (8/10)-I talked about earning an official volunteer shirt from my Hum
ane Society and how much that meant to me.
[li] Teacher Recommendations: My AP Gov/AP Art History/DE US History teacher-I’ve had him for 2 years now and I think that he knows me extremely well, especially because he and I discussed pretty much everything when I had to stay at school a lot (lack of a ride). He also writes amazingly so I have complete faith (10/10)[/li]
My AP Human Geo/World/Euro/NHD coach-I've had this teacher as a teacher for 3 years but will have interacted with him regularly for all 4 years. He's seen what I can do with research and has encouraged me through everything. His classes are what taught me a work ethic. He was also my recommender for CPS so I think he did excellent (9/10)
[li] Counselor Rec: My counselor is my 2nd recommenders wife so any info she needed she asked him about to write a thoughtful recommendation. She was also in contact with me most of the time to ensure she got details right! (8/10)[/li][/ul]
Other
[ul]
[] State (if domestic applicant): Florida
[] School Type: Public
[] Ethnicity: Hispanic, specifically from Peru
[] Gender: Female
[] Income Bracket: ~45,000
[] Assets: None
[] Property: 210,000 house, owe 188,000
[] Extenuating Circumstances: ?
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): URM, first generation, LGBT+[/li][/ul]
Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments:
Strengths: GPA, Test Scores, Essays
Weaknesses: Courseload, extracurriculars
I honestly think I showed myself in every possible way in all of my essays. Despite the lack of opportunities at my school I have made the best of everything and have worked extremely hard with what I’ve got. Congratulations to everyone who did make it, and for those who didn’t this is not the end!
Decision: Finalist
Schools Ranked: Vanderbilt, Emory, Duke, UChicago, University of Virginia, Stanford, MIT, U of Southern California, Columbia University, Rice University, Princeton University, Washington and Lee University
Objective:
SAT I (Comp, Essay, CR, M, CW): Comp - 1450, Essay - 14 (yeah I know), ERW - 720, M - 730
ACT (Comp, Essay, Eng, Math, Read, Sci): C: 31, Eng: 35, M: 29, R: 35, Sci: 26 (i knowwww)
SAT II (Type, Score): n/a
Weighted GPA: 5.166
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 5/371
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Euro (4), AP Lang (4), APUSH (5), AP Calc AB (3)
IB (place score in parenthesis): Math Methods SL (4), Flim SL (3); kill me
Senior Year Course Load: AP/IB Biology HL, IB History of the Americas HL, IB Spanish B SL, AP Lit/IB English HL, IB Theory of Knowledge, AP Calculus BC
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Cross County (12), Track & Field (12), National Honor Society (12), National Science Honor Society (12), National English Honor Society (11-12), Mu Alpha Theta (11-12), Spanish Club (11-12), History Club (11), Archery Club (10)
Job/Work Experience: lmao yeet
Volunteer/Community service: various tutoring jobs for calculus, volunteer speaker an numerous IB Open House events for my school (to talk about the program), volunteered at Christmas celebration festivities for underprivileged kids; there are more that I can’t remember
Summer Activities: n/a
Essays: Might sound odd, but I don’t remember my essays?
Teacher Recommendations: One of my recommendations was from my IB Coordinator, who I know very well, and so I’m sure that essay was an 7.5-8.5/10. My other teacher, my IB Biology teacher from junior year, wasn’t able to submit my recommendation (a shame bc I’m sure it could’ve been a 9-10/10)
Counselor Rec: Oh man I love my counselor and she loves me; we have a very friendly and informal relationship. She knows me very well; I’m thinking an easy 9-10/10.
Other: n/a
State (if domestic applicant): SC
School Type: Public School
Ethnicity: African American
Gender: M
Income Bracket: ~35,000
Assets: $0
Property: nope
Extenuating Circumstances: n/a
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): not much…I guess I’m an URM (black?); single mother, but I’m sure that’s fairly common.
Why you think you were matched/not matched and general comments: My financial situation was pretty similar or worse than many of the applicants, but I feel as though I didn’t do a good job explaining my background. But I feel like the fact that I have taken/am slated for many AP classes/exams and the fact that I’m an IB Diploma Candidate really helps
Also
Major Awards: Various student achievement awards from colleges within the state, AP Scholar w/ Honor, numerous Honor Societies, National Youth Leadership Council: Engineering and Technology nominee
I was wondering the same thing. But perhaps there will also be more matches! Top tier universities really do seem to be admitting more and more low-income, first generation students. And QB does an excellent job facilitating that for them. However, my fingers will remained crossed until 12/3?
All financial info sent to all ranked colleges. This is the hardest part. If you are just starting, go one-by-one. Do one school completely and then move on to the next one. Use all the resources on the Questbridge site, checklist, etc. but click through to the detailed list for each school. Some want fax, some want upload, some want IDOC, and they all want different things. Watch out for those that require cover sheets and customized forms.
Match Day is less than a week away! Fingers crossed, everyone ! 
There is less than a week, and the doubt and anxiety is hitting hard now
What if all the hard work goes to waste?
Not a waste at all! You all should be proud of the hard work you’ve invested into the app process (and esp your academic careers)! Waiting is the hardest part. Relax and enjoy your friends and family
DS just reminded me today that Match Day is very soon. So we’re in the same boat.
Good luck everyone!
I know- it’s so close now! My D is at a semester school and I wish she could be home when she opens it next week, either for celebration or comfort. I’m so nervous for her!
this might be a question for only previous match recipients, but does anyone know (if you get matched) if you get an email from the school the day you are matched with them? (like if you don’t check the match results out of fear, the day you get matched would the school send you a congratulatory letter or something anyway, so you would find out?) thanks!
@baltimoregirl16 I saw from last year’s applicants that when the student is matched, the college will email the student with more information as well as congratulating them (so yes to the email but I am not sure if it’s on the same day).
Also, have you guys received any emails from QuestBridge’s College Partners that you didn’t rank? I know that the results will come on Monday, but I was just wondering if those emails were just a head’s up that the student wasn’t matched to the school.
baltimoregirl, did you ask this same question on reddit? I just saw something like it lolll
As Monday looms ever closer the hopes and the maybes start talking. But my son is getting his backup together, applying to the UC’s this week. We will see what Monday will bring. But I do believe, whether Match or no Match, it will all work out in just the right way and in Gods right time. Best of luck and well wishes to all here.