Worried you won’t have money for college, but you’ve worked so hard it would be such a waste to give up? The QuestBridge College Match Scholarship “matches” students to top private universities and colleges all over America and offers free tuition, room and board, and other expenses. This year, the class of 2010 has had two students matched to one of their top school. Senior Emily Yang was matched to Pomona College and senior Greg Chen was matched to University of Chicago.
As a scholarship searching for the best and brightest of seniors, QuestBridge releases its application in early August and has a deadline on the last day of September. Thus, QuestBridge seniors deal with the stress of the college application process before their classmates do. The process consists of two rounds. Students must first pass the first round as a finalist in order to continue to on in the matching process. However, with roughly 2-5% of applicants ending up matched, the chances of being matched to one of the nation’s top schools are small to none.
They both checked their status during school and were shocked to see that their hard work and perseverance had paid off and guaranteed them a quality undergraduate education. But despite the stress involved, both Emily and Greg agree that this is a process they would go through again. When asked of what she gained from the process, besides an amazing college package, Emily immediately responded with the fact that she was “done with her college apps.” But in addition to the sudden “peace of mind,” she admits that she has “gained more confidence in myself, because it was a highly competitive process and now I know I can make something of myself outside the Arcadia bubble.” Greg attributes much of his success to the love and support of Mr. Wang, Mr. Zhang, and Mrs. McQuaid “for their assistance in the admission process.” Furthermore, “this opportunity was definitely life-changing” and he is “very thankful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Going through QuestBridge was more than an academic growth, for Greg says that “I have learned to appreciate the presence of my family, teachers, friends, and everybody else who has helped me grow personally over the years.”
Both applicants enthusiastically encourage future seniors with the slightest interest in QuestBridge to apply without hesitance. Even when not matched, applicants that have passed the first round are honored with the title of QuestBridge Finalist, which will give them many boosts and advantages while applying to their colleges via regular decision. The way Emily sees it, “There really is nothing to lose, and with the prospect of having free tuition, room and board, books, travel expenses, and other necessities, it would only hurt not to apply.” Greg reminds all to not “think that you would be disadvantaged by your family background; dream big, push yourself, and sky is the limit.
As a scholarship searching for the best and brightest of seniors, QuestBridge releases its application in early August and has a deadline on the last day of September. Thus, QuestBridge seniors deal with the stress of the college application process before their classmates do. The process consists of two rounds. Students must first pass the first round as a finalist in order to continue to on in the matching process. However, with roughly 2-5% of applicants ending up matched, the chances of being matched to one of the nation’s top schools are small to none.
They both checked their status during school and were shocked to see that their hard work and perseverance had paid off and guaranteed them a quality undergraduate education. But despite the stress involved, both Emily and Greg agree that this is a process they would go through again. When asked of what she gained from the process, besides an amazing college package, Emily immediately responded with the fact that she was “done with her college apps.” But in addition to the sudden “peace of mind,” she admits that she has “gained more confidence in myself, because it was a highly competitive process and now I know I can make something of myself outside the Arcadia bubble.” Greg attributes much of his success to the love and support of Mr. Wang, Mr. Zhang, and Mrs. McQuaid “for their assistance in the admission process.” Furthermore, “this opportunity was definitely life-changing” and he is “very thankful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.” Going through QuestBridge was more than an academic growth, for Greg says that “I have learned to appreciate the presence of my family, teachers, friends, and everybody else who has helped me grow personally over the years.”
Both applicants enthusiastically encourage future seniors with the slightest interest in QuestBridge to apply without hesitance. Even when not matched, applicants that have passed the first round are honored with the title of QuestBridge Finalist, which will give them many boosts and advantages while applying to their colleges via regular decision. The way Emily sees it, “There really is nothing to lose, and with the prospect of having free tuition, room and board, books, travel expenses, and other necessities, it would only hurt not to apply.” Greg reminds all to not “think that you would be disadvantaged by your family background; dream big, push yourself, and sky is the limit.