Is The College Match Program worth it?

collegeboundinia
Fri, 09 Mar 2012 14:55:40 +0000

I was a college prep scholar and then last year a college match finalist. I did apply to two non-binding schools via the college match process but did not get accepted. However the evening those results came out, an admissions personnel from one of the match schools I had listed called me and said it was because of our income level but would I please apply to for ED? I did and was accepted. I was also accepted via QB to every school I applied to. I did apply through their own application to CalTech as I was told when I visited the campus that acceptance rates were super low for college match. In hindsight, I think college match is much tougher because not only do you have to be a good match for the school academically and personally but your family income has to be at a specific level or below. At any rate, I think the entire QB program, both college prep and match, is fantastic. I received three invitations to visit partner campuses where they offered to pay the travel expenses. I highly doubt those offers would have been forthcoming otherwise. I also was given GREAT financial aid packages from two of the partner schools and am very happily now attending one of them. It is not a full-ride but between my savings, summer job and two jobs during the school year, I’m able to very reasonably swing it with little debt. There is NO way our family could afford this school ($50,000+/year Expected cost of attendance) if it wasn’t for the school’s generous scholarships. I also applied to several outside scholarships which have gone a long way in allowing me likely graduate with little debt. So yes, I think it is very worth it. But like others have shared, consider carefully before ranking a school for college match. If you’re not absolutely sure you want to attend there, don’t put it. Or apply to only non-binding schools. In addition, yes, it’s a lot of work but this is pretty important so isn’t it worth it?

I also thought it was nice to have so much of the college application stuff sooner than my friends. It allowed me to focus on scholarship applications then since we didn’t get a 100% full-ride. Just my perspective, for what it’s worth. All the best to everyone!