Yes, she may qualify for Questbridge. OP, the Q application format allows for more explanation. You still want to present something edited. But it allows a much fuller picture of the context. Questbridge.org.
On the Common App, yours is a case where you can come up with some abbreviated explanation.
Do you want to share something about your stats, the range of courses you’ve taken, and ECs?
@intparent That’s a really good point actually, I will send her an email or call in the next few days, if only to put the circumstances in a more official format for the admissions officers to read.
@austinmshauri Paying for school is for sure a problem, but my income is such that I know I can get loans, federal grants, and, if I were able to get into a really good (~top 20) school, very generous grants from the school. At the moment my primary concerns are getting into the best schools I can and having enough to eat (in that order, if I’m honest). My mother is not working at the moment, and I’m not sure what she will do, as she’s a somewhat spontaneous decision maker. If she ends up leaving the state, I will likely move out, since I’ll be 18 in the next month or so. Obviously that’s not ideal, but my income is enough to support me alone, so it’s certainly an option.
If you have a non-custodial parent, colleges that give good aid usually want their financial info as well.
@Lindagaf I am filling out a quest bridge application currently! It’s pretty competitive though, so I’m certainly not banking on it. Also, don’t be sorry at all! It was obviously a stressful experience but I think overall it’s done me a lot of good (assuming I don’t get rejected from college haha).
@intparent My non-custodial parent has been unemployed for years, so it shouldn’t affect the EFC.
I think going to an online HS can be a hurdle at colleges with good aid, too. You need good test scores, and maybe a couple of subject tests with good scores to show that you can do the work.
OP, if I understand the program correctly, Questbridge isn’t just about the competitive scholarships, the QB application gets sent to all of the schools you want to match and even if the schools don’t pick you in the match round, many of them will roll you over into the regular decision round where your application gets a second read. Also, applications get expensive after a while! The cost savings in applying via QB can be considerable.
@otterma , sorry if I was unclear! I am applying with Questbridge, but also intend to apply to other schools that are not partnered with Questbridge. Many of the Questbridge partner schools have very competitive admissions, and, while I feel like a viable candidate, I don’t want to presume anything about my own desirability as an applicant. Like many people, I feel intelligent and hardworking enough to succeed at a competitive school, but I don’t want to assume that’s how I’ll be seen by an admissions committee at a top school.
@intparent I agree with you on that. My SAT and ACT are decent (2290 and 34 the last time I took them, which was my “first” junior year). I have a whole other savings thing for college application expenses that I think I’m going to use to take the regular SAT and some subject tests in August. Based on how I have done on standardized tests and university exams in the past, I would say it’s probable that I’ll get above a 700 on the subject tests. Hopefully that’s enough to demonstrate to colleges that I didn’t pick online school for the easy curriculum, and am capable of actually learning things. My fingers and toes and pretty much all of my appendages are crossed!!!
Another option is to try to get time with a rep when he or she is in town for hs visits.