What Are My Chances to be Accepted As a Questbridge Finalist??

Paying for College Access Programs (Questbridge, Posse)
1

In 2016 there were 14,491 applicants, and 5,338 were selected as finalists. This is 36.84% of applicants. Over the past five years, the acceptance rate gets 2.06% less.

The Average Stats for a 2017 QB Finalist:
UW GPA: 3.89
SAT Middle 50%: 1320-1450
ACT Middle 50%: 28-32
Class Rank: 88% were in the Top 10%
Median Income: $34,390
First-Generation: 72% were

My Stats:
UW GPA: 3.56
No SAT (I got a 1050 Sophomore PSAT, and a 1290 Junior PSAT)
No ACT
Class Rank: Top 15%
Income: No clue, but at least $80,000
Not a first-generation student
No AP tests

I have ECs where I am just a member of the club and without a leadership position. I have one good EC, which is how I am the morning news anchor, and this is something I do nearly every day. I was selected into a STEM program at my HS that takes 25 students per grade. I am in dual enrollment courses with a college GPA of 3.875. I was a winner in the National High School Poetry Contest. I also have maybe 6 or 7 more distinctions I have received locally or from my high school.

I don’t think I have much of a chance, especially considering that I do not meet the academic standards and I am in comfortable financial standing. If I do write a very well-written essay, do I have a shot at being a finalist?

Thank you!

2

Questbridge is good to emphasize your disadvantages and hardships. Was there a time where you had to leave home because of an unstable family, or your house was badly damaged by an uncontrollable event. It doesn’t have to be overly extreme, but most finalists have some kind of familial hardship that they emphasized in their essay. I don’t want to discourage you, but based on the info you gave me, your chances seem low. If you applied to Prep, your results may give you the answer you need. Good luck with college admissions!

3

It doesn’t really seem like you’re someone that the Questbridge organization is looking for, especially given your income, but if there are any other extraneous circumstances, like debt or high medical bills, that might push you towards being a finalist if you can get a good standardized test score before the application and write some really good essays. I submitted my College Prep Scholars application about a week ago, and I’m anxiously awaiting the results!