<p>Hello everyone! I'm a Finalist that was accepted into multiple Partner Schools RD. To give you some context, I was not Matched earlier this fall, and was devastated, so when spring rolled around I was sincerely surprised to gain acceptances to several partner Ivy+ schools and partner liberal arts colleges. I will attending Yale University next fall.</p>
<p>Within this thread, I wanted to open the floor for discussion about the type of student it takes to be a successful Quest Scholar. I had the opportunity to meet many fellow Questies during the accepted students weekends this last month, and noticed that although these students were from QB, and thus fit the criterion of being low-income (and mostly first generation), that alone was not their only hook. They were students with top-notch test scores and GPAs, and resumes that could take your breath away -- true high-achieving low-income students like the QuestBridge website stated.</p>
<p>However, earlier this year, this was not what I had understood to be what it took to be a Quest Scholar. I thought that being a Questie was all about overcoming HARDSHIP. That overcoming life's obstacles was all it would take to secure a spot through QB. How wrong I was...</p>
<p>Here are some stats taken straight from the QuestBridge website:</p>
<p>Of the 383 National College Match award recipients:
29% were 1st in their class.
84% were in the top 5% of their class.</p>
<p>SAT Score (CR + M)
11% scored above 1500.
35% scored above 1400.
63% scored above 1300.
87% scored above 1200.</p>
<p>To be completely honest, I didn't take the time I should have with these numbers. I'm impressed; considering the circumstances that these students probably had to grow up in, these numbers are stellar! But then again, these are just numbers. The great thing about admissions is they truly treat your application holistically. I know 4.0/2400s that got flat out rejected EA, even though they had "everything" to be successful (leadership roles, community service, etc.).</p>
<p>Now, comparing and contrasting Finalists that I know who got matched and didn't get matched, and non-QB students that went though this process with me, I am starting to see the type of person it takes.</p>
<p>What is your opinion? Think of the people you know that have been Matched or weren't Matched. Be honest, be completely and totally sincere. There was a reason what happened to them happened to them. </p>
<p>What does it take to be a Quest Scholar? Are decent stats and a good story enough anymore? Or are you held to the same high standards as every other applicant?</p>
<p>Hoping to help those that are still deciding whether or not to go through with the extensive application process, I pose this question: Who should apply through QuestBridge?</p>