Understanding Questbridge - To Apply or Not to Apply?

[Kokko2k15]

<p>Hello CC Community!</p>

<p>I have stumbled upon Questbridge through messages from email and postal mail maybe a few months ago, and I am really debating whether to apply or not. </p>

<p>One factor holding me back is my lack of understand regarding Questbridge. </p>

<p>Hypothetically speaking, let's say someone's school of choice is Swarthmore with a keen interest in Haverford. So let's say someone has two top schools, both partner schools with the Questbridge program. Both Swarthmore and Haverford have ED options. Questbridge provides him with their own ED option with these schools. Let's say he complete the application, writes up his essays, teacher recs, personal information, etc and submits his QB application to the top schools, Swarthmore and Haverford, by September 26. Does his ED Questbridge application equal to a regular ED to Swarthmore or Haverford? Will his ED QB application substitute for a Common App ED to these schools, and will his be placed up against the Common App ED'ers to the schools? Since Questbridge only takes a number of match finalists, would it be better just to regularly ED to these schools or am I completely wrong? Hypothetically, if he is selected as a finalist to Swarthmore through QB, does that grant him admission to the school even if he fails to earn the full ride match scholarship? If someone is selected as a finalist, I do understand that he still has to complete Swarthmore's set of requirements such as sending in ACT scores, etc.. In other words, what does a QB finalist mean exactly? </p>

<p>Another question I have regards to the regular decision process.
If one was to apply for the ED option through QB to Swarthmore and Haverford but get rejected and deffered to the regular decision option, would this be a bad thing? Am I matched up against ED'ers from Common App submissions or from QB submissions? Since finalist spots are limited, is the chance to be deffered to RD greater than being deffered by regular ED Common App submission? In other words, is the ED acceptance rate through QB lower than an ED acceptance through a Common App submission? </p>

<p>Another question I have regards to teacher recommendations and QB being a Common App Substitute.
Most of my favorite schools are partner schools with the Questbridge program. If I obtain teacher recs for QB, these will be used for my entire application process for these schools right? In addition, will I have to submit a Common App to these partner schools or does QB cover that all? </p>

<p>I want to take you all in advance for reading this thread!
I do have quite a few questions and am still considering whether to apply through Questbridge or not.
I am completely aware of the benefits including the zero application fees for RD applicants, additional insight for schools on my financial standpoints, etc. I have also heard that many applicants do get admitted in their top schools through RD using QB. Wouldn't it just be better to just straight up apply ED to their school of choice? </p>

<p>Personally, Questbridge interests me greatly. I have grown up in a low income family, however, I have not had extremely horrible conditions due to this. Because of this, would QB be detrimental in any way to my application process instead of applying ED to my top school? QB traditionally awards scholarship to those who are greatly affected by their economical standpoint. I am still not sure whether this option is good for me or not as ED might be a safer route? </p>

<p>I wish you the best of luck to those in the midst of the application process whether it is with QB or not.
Thank you all again for reading this!
Have a great day! </p>

<p>Note: I just picked Haverford and Swarthmore out of the blue with them being partner schools with QB. I have nothing against them nor with the other partner schools. </p>

[badpundit]

<p>If you are all of these:</p>

<p>1) low income<br>
2) high-achieving
3) would not be able to attend the partner school(s) of your choice without generous financial aid
4) can relate personally to the Questbridge founder’s letter to students (on the QB home page; every student should read this I think)</p>

<p>then the time involved in applying is well worth it.</p>

<p>Applying ED to a partner school without using the Questbridge Match is an unnecessary gamble that your financial aid offer will be just as good either way. I say just do the match, and make very sure you list your match schools in your TRUE order of preference. The match algorithm is based on the one used to match Med School grads to hospitals for residency… and it is carefully crafted to give each student every opportunity to match to their top choice, THEN every opportunity to match to their second choice… etc. etc. So DO list your schools in your true order of preference!!</p>

<p>If you would REALLY turn down a (near) full ride to all partner schools except one, then look into whether that school’s policy allows you to apply via ED2 (or an extended ED period) if you don’t match anywhere. </p>

<p>Some colleges do, and that’s the best of both worlds – including both of your examples. Some don’t, and if you go into RD you will still benefit from your Finalist status, and many schools will allow your QB app to be part of their decision criteria – real important since you get to say so much about yourself, your background, and your goals in the ample space of a QB application. The Common App really limits your ability to express yourself.</p>

<p>Your choice of examples is interesting – last year, my son had Haverford #1 and Swarthmore #2 on his list of 8 colleges (he was matched to Haverford; we just got our first phone call from him there).</p>

<p>Best of luck to you. I recommend you cast your lot with Questbridge and be sure to give it your best shot.</p>