I applied to be a QB finalist, and I’ve read that trying to match to a college is significantly harder than simply applying Early Decision. I really want to go to Northwestern, which is a partner college, so would my chances be better through QB (given that I become a finalist) or through Early Decision with “Questbridge Finalist” listed as an achievement in Common App?
Which leads me to another question: is Questbridge finalist status a hook? Or does it turn colleges off because it reveals low-income?
I know that the QB application is designed to display hardships better than Common App does, but the QB app requires all test scores, so Northwestern would see my not-so-stellar SAT subject tests and ACTs (retaking both in November and this month, respectively), as well as an embarrassing AP Physics 1 score lol.
Statistically speaking, you would have a better chance at getting accepted through ED than the Questbridge Match. However, the financial aid package might not be as great as the one you would get when matched.
The finalist status isn’t a hook, it would be listed as an award, a good one. And it wouldn’t “turn colleges off” as it can show achievements regardless of the economic set back.
If you’re sure you don’t want to rank any other schools if you’re a Finalist, and do apply ED, Northwestern says it looks at family need and not a dollar amount cutoff:
I actually contemplated this decision a lot. My first choice being columbia, I wasn’t sure if I would have a better chance at ED or college match. In the end I decided to go with college match, ranking Columbia and Yale. It’s pretty much up to you man.
Doing ED may suggest to admissions that you prioritize their college. However the financial aid may not be as good. And with college match you can rank a lot of colleges.