Hi,
I’ve made a couple of posts about scholarships and admissions to selective schools, and everyone kept telling me to look at Quest Bridge. So I did, and the income is a bit of a problem, so I thought I’d ask the College Confidential Crew what they thought.
They say it’s not a strict cutoff, so that’s why I’m not incredibly worried. The “cutoff” is 65K, and as far as I know, my mother and stepfather jointly make around 78K for a family of 4 according to 2017 tax returns. My father will not be included in the financial aspect of it, seeing as there will be no way to get ahold of him when I apply. The reason why I’m not terribly worried is because my stepfather is currently unemployed, and there will be three of us in school when it comes time for me to go to college. Will I be able to express that on my application? Also, I am eligible for a pell grant according to the fasfa financial aid calculator. Will Quest Bridge take that into consideration?
As for the second part of this discussion, I wanted to ask my chances of even becoming a finalist, if all the financial stuff works out. I am a first generation student, National Honor Society member, with a 3.7 UW and a 4.0 W. I got a 30 on my ACT, (perfect score in reading with one point off on writing). I took a college class at Siena College last summer (got a B), and I will be taking two more classes at University At Albany this summer. I am a tutor for NHS, I volunteer at a nearby nature preserve, and I volunteer at a nursing home. I often volunteer at school events as well. I am a president of a club promoting diversity within my school, I mentor student in and help run a writing club, and I am a leader in an academic program I am a part of as well. Two more things: I have begun conducting research on genocide and human rights violations for a program I am in for the 2018-19 school year, and I have overcome significant adversity, including mental illness and dealing with a substance abuser for a parent.
If you’ve gotten this far, thank you so much for reading! I’m really trying to decide if I should even shoot for Quest Bridge. If I do end up doing it, I’m hoping to get matched for Columbia the most because it has a Human Rights program I’m really interested in, but I also would not mind going to Tufts or Emory! I listen to and appreciate everyone’s advice, so just let me know. Thank you!