QuestBridge Regular Decision Help

Applying to College
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Hello Everyone!

Match Day for QuestBridge was yesterday, and unfortunately, I was not matched. However, I can still apply through QuestBridge Regular Decision. I was wondering if anybody had any insight as to what college partners I should add to my RD list–or just any colleges I should consider. Here is my college list right now:

Yale, Stanford, Cornell, Duke, Rice, and Princeton (These are the colleges I ranked, so these applications go straight to the RD round)

These are the colleges I’ve added so far to my QB RD list
Carelton, Columbia, Macalaster, MIT, W&L, and Washington University in St. Louis

These are the colleges I’m working on through the Common App
University of Minnesota Twin Cities + Duluth, University of Wisconsin Madison, Hamline, and University of Michigan Ann Arbor.

-CONTEXT-
I’m interested in political science and a pre-law track, I was a foster kid from 11 to 14 (some schools offer scholarships for this), and I’m an MN resident.

If anybody has any advice as to any colleges I should add to my list–or scholarships to consider, please let me know.

Thanks!!

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@Mwfan1921 any suggestions?

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Not sure your state. I know Minnesota and Wisconsin have reciprocation but does that include aid ? In other words, is it worth applying to the OOS one ? I’m not sure but would look into that.

I would hit the easier to get into meets need - Miami, F&M, Denison, Kenyon, Lehigh, Sewanee, Berea.

Note many are need aware so that can work against.

Don’t know your stats/profile so not sure if any are realistic.

Poli Sci can be done from any school.

Best of luck.

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Add St Olaf and Grinnell* in Common app, they meet need.
Davidson*, Denison*, Hamilton*, Tufts*, Haverford*, Kalamazoo are all excellent for poli sci.

(*. = QB partner)

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Are you interested in applying ED2 to Rice? You do have that option, see here: Rice University - Application Requirements | QuestBridge

I am not saying you should do that, but I encourage you to at least consider it.

For RD apps, I agree with myos1634 recommendations. Also, you can add any QB schools you want from the RD list. All the QB schools will have fine poli sci majors. If you are interested in Oberlin and any of the QB women’s colleges, I would consider those as well. Here are all the RD directions for schools you didn’t rank:

Are twin cities and duluth affordable? Can you commute to either one?

I don’t think Wisconsin will be affordable, at least according to this? Wisconsin

I also don’t think Michigan will be affordable, and if not, would not put in an app so you can focus on schools that will meet your full need. In terms of QB partners that have similarities to Michigan, you could consider UVA (Northwestern and Vandy too.)

Make sure to stay on top of all your deadlines and supplements. Create a spreadsheet so you can see everything and then prioritize from there. And just to help others who may read this…I do wish you would have submitted your Twin Cities app in time for early action 1 or 2, as well as your Duluth app (rolling for most programs.) Applying to in-state publics is allowed per QB, and it’s just one last thing that you wouldn’t have to be dealing with right now. Good luck to you and keep us updated!

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Students interested in political science and prelaw also may be interested in the interdisciplinary, practically-oriented major of public policy. This site suggests colleges offering this major:

You will note quite a few QuestBridge partners among the included schools.

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Thank you for this feedback!

Yes, I’m considering applying to Rice ED, but I’m nervous because if the financial aid offer isn’t enough I’ll have to go anyway. But-- I LOVE the atmosphere at Rice, and I can see myself being very happy there. Not to mention it’s also a wonderful school. But, I need to do more research on ED–I’ll probably email Rice.

Thank you so much for that info about U-Wisconsin Madison! I wasn’t aware of this distinction. I’ll be sure to ask my College counselor more about it.

The Twin Cities and Duluth SHOULD be affordable. Because I was a foster kid after age 13, I am considered an independent on the FAFSA. I have no income, so my financial aid should be significant–I may even be eligible for the full 7k Pell Grant. Also, my GPA is 4.281, and I’m ranked 6/450 (but going test-optional because I didn’t test) so I should be able to snag some merit scholarships.

Also, for any college I would be living on-campus.

Also, if I can apply to other scholarship programs, that should help as well.

Unfortunately, though, I haven’t submitted the Common App yet. I wasn’t sure if it would be smart to because I don’t have an SSN yet–I’m a US Citizen and all of that. Still, when I was adopted, I changed my name and thus got a new birth certificate and SSN. BUT… those documents were never given to us. So my parents are working with the Social Security Administration Office trying to get everything straightened out. There is a part of the Common App that asks for an SSN to match the FAFSA, but I can’t even fill out the FAFSA–or even start an account-- until I have an SSN which probably won’t be until the new year (according to the SSAO).

Should I submit the Common App anyway, and email the colleges later when I have my SSN?

I know this is a lot, but please let me know what you think.

Thanks!!

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That’s not correct…if the FA offer is not adequate, you are not bound to go. Run the NPC here and see if the estimate is affordable: Net Price Calculator
If the NPC result looks good, you can be comfortable applying ED2.

However if you do want to compare offers then you wouldn’t ED.

Yes! You have to submit apps by all the various deadlines, do not wait for your SSN.

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