My sister received a brochure from QuestBridge this afternoon… I really want her to apply, because my parents are not willing to pay her way through college (nor mine) and scholarship money would be great. Her dream school is Oberlin, double majoring in CompSci and something else. I believe when I was younger (2nd grade and before) we were low-income, with my dad working for Ford and quitting just before Detroit/ the auto industries went under with three kids (one with Downs) in a tiny apartment. Now, my dad recently got a promotion and I think he is making ~$100,000 a year. My sister filled out the FAFSA form and she qualifies for about $6,000 (maybe a few hundred extra)… I know we are now considered fairly wealthy… So why did she receive a brochure, and should she bother to apply? She came out as bisexual a year or two ago, and I’m pretty sure she was bullied for it and was diagnosed with depression, if that makes a difference.
My understanding of the way it works is that letters are sent out based on your zip code. If you live in a mixed neighborhood where the average income is lower, it may be why your sister received a letter. Also, if you have extenuating financial situations, i.e., a special needs child who requires expensive care, it COULD make you eligible for QB.
If your financial situation has been relatively stable since your sister has been in high school, your financial situation from 2nd grade is not going to make a big difference.
I would never discourage an applicant from applying. You never know. However, you should have realistic expectations when applying.
Here is a link on financial info for QB: http://www.questbridge.org/for-students/cps-who-should-apply
I do have a partially deaf brother with Downs, and it has had an impact, but I don’t know to what extent. He is 21 with a job, and we are learning ASL with his peronal aide to help communicating with him. I believe she is paid by the special ed department of the county, but my brother will be too old soon and she will no longer be available. We typically drive an hour or so to test his hearing and adjust his hearing aids. There was therapy needed for her and the depression. While it has stopped, we are still worried. My mom has a low paying job (a bit above min wage), and my sister is still looking for work.
Would something other than fiscal reasons count? This isn’t discussed ever, but I’m fairly certain that my mother can be considered verbally abusive and my dad doesn’t really do anything about it, which I personally think was one of the reasons my sister had depression. My mother has indirectly called both of us lazy, stupid, and flat out told me that I am a hoarder, and I reflect her and my dads bad qualities and none of the good ones.
Note that this only happens when she gets angry and it quickly passes.
Over the school year, my family and I went on a trip to the coast on the other side of the state (by car) and spent all the money from a bonus my dad received (I was initially against spending it all - ~$2,000, which could have been tuition money for me and my sister!) and we are soon traveling to DC, which is essentially on the other side of the state as well.
I would assume that this means we are well off, correct? She and I agreed that we don’t seem to be qualified, because it says ‘low-income’ students, as well as the chances of her becoming a finalist are slim. My sister is open to the idea, but she is again, looking for a job, possibly dealing with mental illness, and does not want to write 3 essays and a answer a ton of questions if she technically does not qualify, and therefore waste a great deal of time. I’m sorry I don’t have exact numbers, so you’ll have to guess how much money we actually have left over.
Just a question, what does you ethnic it have to do with this? Just curious.
I assumed that a lot of Asians would apply. Since a lot of the colleges are HYPSM caliber or the LAC equivalent, I thought maybe the same ORM rules would apply to QuestBridge. Since no one mentioned it, I guess I was wrong.
This is straight from QB’s mission page:
QuestBridge aims to create a singular place where exceptionally talented low-income students can navigate educational and life opportunities.
QuestBridge recruits, develops, and supports motivated low-income students – beginning in high school through college to their first job – to be successful at America’s best colleges, graduate schools, and companies.
Here is the financial info from their website:
Financial Profile
Median Income: $31,208
Free or Reduced Price Lunch: 81% eligible
Here is the link to the finalists profile:
http://www.questbridge.org/for-students/ncm-applicant-profile
I am not trying to discourage your sister from applying. If both your parents work and make over 100k, you do not fit the typical profile of a QB finalist. It can’t hurt if there are extenuating circumstances in your sister’s life. You just need to be realistic about your sister’s chances. If she does apply to QB, tell her that she will only be ahead of the game because she will already have her essays and recommendations in hand when it is time to apply for college even if she isn’t selected as a finalist.
Also, in all likelihood, you will have a family contribution with an income level of $100k and only one student in college. Run the net price calculators on the college websites using your parent’s 2014 tax return. This will give you some kind of idea of what your family contribution will be for college.
Thanks @momofmusician17 . She isn’t interested in the program because of the essays, but thanks anyway! I asked our counselor if he knew why the invitation was sent, and he is working on it.