What effect does income have on admissions to elite schools?

Applying to College
21

<p>Stupid question time. Okay, so if I’m reading this right, this scenario is possible: </p>

<p>1) Apply for “early” through Questbridge to (in order of preference):
Yale
Princeton
Stanford
MIT
2) Get “matched” to Yale
3) Apply to UCs and Harvard regular
4) Once April 1st rolls around, decide which university to attend without being forced to commit to Yale?</p>

<p>What about this scenario:

  1. Apply for “early” through Questbridge to (in order of preference):
    Yale
    Princeton
    Stanford
    MIT
  2. Get “matched” to Yale
  3. Apply to UCs and Harvard, as well as the other schools you applied “early” too like Princeton, Stanford, and MIT
  4. Once April 1st rolls around, decide which university to attend?</p>

<p>The way I’m reading it, the second scenario is not possible?</p>

22

<p>Scenario #1
Totally plausible, though getting into Yale is no easy task - especially in the Match round.</p>

<p>Scenario #2
Totally possible. Why wouldn’t it be?</p>

23

<p>Because it’s a bit like “applying twice”?</p>

24

<p>That’s the beauty of QuestBridge. Like I said in my other posts, you get two chances.</p>

25

<p>Won’t they notice you’re the same person? After all, you’re using the same name/same stats/etc.</p>

<p>Edit: Yeah, my parents aren’t too eager for me to use the program from my college apps. They think that with the current economic situation even top schools with large endowments will be struggling and favoring those who can pay the tuition.</p>

26

<p>Yes, they will notice you’re the same person. That’s the point. You are allowed to apply twice. You’re not actually applying twice; once you’re using QB and the other time you’re using RD. Not getting Matched at a particular school is not getting rejected, it’s getting deferred. If anything, the current economic conditions should encourage you to use a program like QB or to apply to top schools. QB partner schools have made an explicit commitment to high-achieving, low-income students. The whole point of QB is to try to get students to realize that there are ways to make their socioeconomic struggles into assets.</p>

27

<p>Using QuestBridge seems to be a very good idea for eligible students.</p>

28

<p>This thread talked about how a low income affects college admissions, but what about a high income?</p>

<p>Let’s say someone applies for financial aid but clearly has a high enough income to sustain 4 years of college life.
Does checking the box, which says you want to apply for financial aid, hurt you if you have a high income, or would it be better to leave it blank, which shows that you will be able to pay the full tuition?
Or will it not make a difference? </p>

<p>I’m asking this because I know someone who was rejected from a school who could have easily paid the tuition, but applied for financial aid. After rejection, the person partially blamed it on applying for financial aid. </p>

<p>This is directed towards the top-20 schools btw</p>

29

<p>Not as much as some people might think! On April 1st, I saw a lot of new evidence to support my position.</p>