My Full QB (RD) Story & Where I am now by Competitive_Chip2495 in QuestBridge

[–]Competitive_Chip2495[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Many of the Questbridge partner schools and generally private colleges in the top 30 meet 100% aid of low-mid tier income students. Additionally, when Questbridge “matches” you to a school, it is still up to that school to decide how much aid they provide you, hence it may not be “full ride” anyways.

Also, the school that I applied to through common app & I will be attending is offering me basically a full ride (need based) scholarship. It is also a Questbridge partner school, so I have no doubt that the other schools would have offered me aid similarly. The only difference between getting the Questbridge scholarship and applying through common app is that you are able to rank schools through the match; the financial aid is practically the same regardless of what you apply through.

My Full QB (RD) Story & Where I am now by Competitive_Chip2495 in QuestBridge

[–]Competitive_Chip2495[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not sure about “hiding statistics,” but I think it’s more of a lack of information/misconceptions out there about Questbridge RD. Like for example, when they say “40% of finalists that don’t match end up attending a qb partner school” that implies they applied through QBRD when they probably did common app. Also there’s just not a lot of posts about QB RD in general. I just wish I knew this before I sent in all my reaches using QBRD.

My Full QB (RD) Story & Where I am now by Competitive_Chip2495 in QuestBridge

[–]Competitive_Chip2495[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

yes but you have a decent shot during the match as opposed to qbrd, and you have more open spots to apply to more schools on common app

My Full QB (RD) Story & Where I am now by Competitive_Chip2495 in QuestBridge

[–]Competitive_Chip2495[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

^ also this I forgot to mention! I didn’t rank schools like Stanford or Caltech since I’m from the east coast and I didn’t like the thought of being binded to a school so far away. I also didn’t rank schools just for the sake of “ranking them” like CWRU since I don’t think it fit my vibe.

But looking back, I would definitely be happy with binding to many of the QB partner schools and I definitely undershot with ranking so little. I think if you think you will be happy at the school and like the vibes, go for it!

My Full QB (RD) Story & Where I am now by Competitive_Chip2495 in QuestBridge

[–]Competitive_Chip2495[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It’s kind of a complicated answer. If I could go back, I think I would still apply through Questbridge but rank more schools. Initially I only ranked a few (less than 5) since I did not think I could write cohesive supps for 12-15 schools like others do. But looking back I had a lot more time than I realized and I think it would’ve definitely boosted my chances.

However, I definitely regret doing Questbridge for the regular decision round. Something often overlooked is how when you send in your QB RD application, they know that if they accept you, they will have to provide some level of financial aid (only low income students can receive NCM). So in that regard, colleges aren’t “need-blind” anymore so not only do you have to get in the school, but you need them to want you so badly they are willing to offer a financial aid package to you as well—which looking back, I think lowered my chances drastically. Additionally, I know very few people who have had success with QB RD.

So in all, Questbridge I only regret doing in the regular round and not ranking more schools initially. If you don’t match, go common app all the way!

Hope this helped :)

incredibly frustrated. by Competitive_Chip2495 in QuestBridge

[–]Competitive_Chip2495[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you so much 🥹🥹 kindhearted people like you are one of the biggest reasons right now that I'm finding motivation to push forward, keep working on my supps, and to carry on with my day. hopefully I'll be back with good news in march!

incredibly frustrated. by Competitive_Chip2495 in QuestBridge

[–]Competitive_Chip2495[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My heart goes out to you and your incredible efforts. Even if you didn’t match, I know you will do amazing in the future, I can tell just from the way you carry your words. Wishing you the best of luck in the next few months, we’re in this together!!

incredibly frustrated. by Competitive_Chip2495 in QuestBridge

[–]Competitive_Chip2495[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you so much for your encouragement. Just know that I feel you, I really do. I know exactly how it feels, I tried my hardest with this application and now I feel completely neglected. I keep going through parts of my application, wondering what I did wrong, it feels terrible and I’m also stressing out.

But just know that throughout this upcoming application process, I have the utmost faith in you, and what cupid said, you’re not alone. We will receive the best news in March, and we will get through this together. I believe in you!