<p>I've been getting a bunch of letters and emails from the QuestBridge program, but I'm not really entirely sure what it is? How is it different from just directly applying to all the colleges and their financial aid programs? I'm only really considering one of the colleges they offer anyway, and it's unlikely that I would get into ANY of their "partner colleges" in the first place, so is this something I should even bother applying for?</p>
<p>I had planned on applying to QB but then backed out after talking to my school’s college advisor. I feel like, unless your family income is <30k (which is the case for 90% of their finalists, I think), it’s not worth it. </p>
<p>I just found it very limiting, and it throws you off the typical schedule. You have to write that many more essays. Also being named a Finalist doesn’t mean sh*t when it comes to which college you actually get matched to. And if you don’t get matched, then there really isn’t a point. Speaking of, the matching thing really limits the amount of choices YOU (not the colleges) have. Like you said, if you’re only interested in one college, then it would only make sense for you to put one college on your list. Which doesn’t work in your favor considering how limiting QB already is. But if you put 8, then you run the risk of getting matched to a college you aren’t even that interested in.</p>
<p>If your family income is low but not SUPER low (in the case of QBers who tend to gain a lot from the experience), then you should really consider just applying to your top school ED - they will give you good fin aid anyway; even if they don’t, just use that as a reason to not commit. You might also be able to apply to other schools EA (which I really liked about not doing QB), and spread yourself out a little more to increase your chances.</p>
<p>@absentions Thanks for the input! My family does actually make <$30k, but even then I really would rather pay more for a college I would like than get a full ride somewhere, no matter how prestigious, that I wouldn’t enjoy attending; like you said, it does seem really limiting. I’m not actually planning on going in ED/EA for any of my schools, which was another reason I’ve been hesitant; QB’s Regular Decision option doesn’t really seem to offer anything special at all.</p>
<p>In that case, I think you should really consider QB! Especially because of the income thing (sorry, I wrongly assumed by your post) and the fact that you aren’t planning to apply anywhere early. Because then you aren’t really throwing your schedule off by that much if at all. But then again, colleges with good need-based aid would probably give you a good package either way. </p>
<p>It really depends on you and which colleges you like!</p>
<p>This is a great question for the Questbridge forum
<a href=“Questbridge Programs - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/questbridge-programs/</a></p>
<p>I think there is some misinformation in the post above, at the least a skewed view. One thing Questbridge isn’t limiting. You can use the match different ways or not match at all like you would normally apply ED, EA or RD and you will still have the Questbridge finalist award on all your applications and schools can look at your additional QB application to get more background on you. </p>
<p>The point of QB is that if you get selected as a finalist then you do have a fair chance at some of the partner college, not all, no everyone can get into the top ones. So it brings the colleges to the attention of students who might not think they can get in, and it brings the students to those colleges attention. But you can apply just RD and they will give you consideration too.</p>
<p>@BrownParent Thanks, I didn’t know there was a dedicated forum for this!</p>