I am applying to Yale through Questbridge (I’m a Finalist) and will be getting results on December 1st. I have a question…
I recently got an email from the financial aid department asking for more financial documents and to ask some questions. Them and my parents exhanged a few emails.
I know that Yale is need-blind… so would that mean that they reviewed my application already and made a decision since the financial aid officer was asking for financial information?
Also, I was thinking, and it would be more logical for Yale to first decide on who is accepted because it would be more efficient for the financial aid department to only go through ~40 accepted applicants’ financial info rather than go through the thousands of applicants. A lot of them are going to get rejected anyways, there’s no point in reviewing their financial information ahead of time.
On top of that, Thanksgiving is coming up, and I would assume, with how early Match Day (Dec. 1) is, they would probably make decisions now, because they only have three days after the week off for Thanksgiving. With those three days, the admissions office will probably send decisions to QB to get it processed for Match Day.
Assuming that decisions are made before looking into financial information of applicants (need-blind), since they are reviewing my financial information, would that mean that I am already accepted?
I’m super nervous and don’t know if this is a good sign or not. I’m not counting on this being true, but it’s a bit of hope that I’m holding onto. Can someone please clear this up for me and maybe confirm if what I think may be true?
My guess – and it’s only a guess – Yale’s financial aid office reviews all Questbridge applications for missing financial aid materials, and requests additional information when something is missing or needed prior to the Admissions Committee making their final decision. After all, Yale is guaranteeing FA for every Questbridge admitted student. So, I wouldn’t read anything into those emails.
This is only a guess from me – Fin Aid and admissions must move somewhat in tandem. Obviously, FinAid doesn’t calculate every applicant’s package – that’d be wasteful as a good number will be rejected or deferred, not eventually needing any fin aid award. Then there’s the quick reads/quick accepts – barring anything startling, these applicants upon the early reads gained enough positive attention to warrant acceptance. The recruited athletes would fall into this group too. Awards are calculated for this group, it goes without saying.
Then, there’s the remaining pool – which will includes some accepts and some deferrals. I assume the fin aid office begins prelim work on this entire pool – and as decisions are made on which are accepts and deferrals, full work ups are made for the accepted pool.
I think you’re somewhere in this latter pool (which is much better than the first pool!). Are you already in the accepted pile or still in the “still considering” pile? Who can know? But it’s certainly not a BAD position to be in.
Best of luck to you! Decision in less than two weeks for you QB applicants!
I’m not sure if this helps but I am a regular SCEA applicant to Yale and I received an email for IDOC which asked additional detailed questions for documents. I was under the impression, and still believe that that sort of information request is sent to every applicant. Not sure if you got something similar or different.
@gibby@T26E4@legaleagle1 Thank you all so much for your help!
I’m sort of actually glad that this isn’t a sign of some sort… leaves the whole surprise element, I guess, for Match Day
At this point I’m so nervous that I’m reading into these signs wayy too much. Hope you all have a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Questbridge is a program based on extreme financial need which is not exclusive to Yale. It may be more they need proof that you are eligible for the program since that puts you in a different category of candidate. If you are indeed a Questbridge candidate, then you would get a full ride by default. Good luck.
@quoderatuhhh Haha! I guess so! Though I would guess that @T26E4 was right when they said that the financial aid office and admissions office work in tandem… or like what @gibby said that they’re not related at all. Whatever it is, it all worked out in the end!
Thank you all so much for your help again!! And thank you @quoderatuhhh for the congratulations!
Congrats! I hope this will go a long way in Yale convincing you to attend as well? I spoke with a QB Matched applicant in my area and she’s gotten many offers (including Yale). She sounds great and I hope she chooses us.
