QuestBridge vs. Early Action

Paying for College Access Programs (Questbridge, Posse)
1

<p>I'm stuck between applying through QuestBridge or just skip the process altogether and apply early action. For early, I'm considering to apply to both MIT and CalTech, and I know that my chances are significantly higher than getting matched through QuestBridge. </p>

<p>The QuestBridge application also takes significantly more time and I'll have to rush a lot of things. I also feel like MIT and CalTech's applications actually give me a chance to talk about my math and science side. Like my recommendations from my research mentor (does QuestBridge even allow supplemental recommendations?) and places to list my AMC, AIME, and USAMO scores. </p>

<p>I also got the Stanford conference earlier this year, so I could just list that to highlight my low income status? </p>

<p>And although I do come from a low income family, I don't feel like I've suffered any significant hardship. It just means I can't really afford shiny new toys.</p>

2

<p>I’m going through the same problem as you. The thing is, the people who are matched are usually those who have overcome serious financial hardships, instead of just being low-income.</p>

<p>I wrote an essay about being low income to attach as Additional Info on the Common App, or you could just mention it.</p>

3

<p>I’m wondering the same thing. Also, if you don’t get selected as a finalist, do you have to apply to schools on your own, like without the QuestBridge application?</p>

4

<p>Here’s a flowchart from QB of the process:
[National</a> College Match Flowchart](<a href=“QuestBridge”>QuestBridge)</p>

<p>I’m just wondering if filling out the App is worth the time if you just end up being deferred to RD and having to fill out the Common App anyway.</p>

5

<p>You can actually use the QB app for regular decision for some of the schools.</p>

6

<p>It’s worth it if you get the application fees waived. My son wasn’t selected as a finalist but both NU and Yale waived his application fees for RD. There are other QB schools that will waive the fee as well for non-finalists. If you are fortunate enough to make finalist then every school will waive their application fee which can be a HUGE savings when applying to multiple schools.</p>

7

<p>^The thing that worries me is that if you are not selected as a Finalist, you have about 9 days to the EA deadline.</p>

8

<p>

But if you are using common application you can usually use the same essays. If you are that worried about it look at the essays required for the EA schools you are considering and if you don’t think the QB essays will work then you can always work on them ahead of time. My son didn’t have a problem applying EA to U-M after not making finalist so unless you plan on applying EA to a number of schools it shouldn’t be an issue and the pros out way the cons IMHO.</p>

9

<p>Kdog044, is it really worth hours and hours of time devoted to your applications for a couple of fee waivers?</p>

<p>And can’t you just apply for a fee waiver independent of QuestBridge?</p>

10

<p>

Only you can answer that but if you are TRULY a QB applicant every little bit helps. Many applicants are applying to 10 schools or more so you do the math. It’s only a lot of work if you want to apply to a bunch of non QB schools as many allow you to use your QB application if not selected as a finalist.</p>

11

<p>For Questbridge do you have to submit Standardized testing scores? or is that done when the school matches you?</p>

12

<p>You submit official standardized testing scores when you are selected as a finalist and you have to send the official standardized scores to the individual colleges before you can be matched. For QB, you do have to report your scores and send them some form of verification but it does not have to be official such as the pdf version of the SAT online score report or even a screenshot of you ACT score I believe.</p>

13

<p>But for QB, when is the last date to take the tests?</p>