<p>I’d like to address some of the criticism being hurled at QB with my personal experiences…</p>
<p>In August, I received an email from QB inviting me to investigate the possibility of applying for a Match Scholarship. I was only vaguely familiar with QB (from a NYT article.) After doing a thorough job of researching on the QB website, I still questioned whether I was a viable candidate. </p>
<p>So, after some deliberation, I called the FinAid office of the top LAC that I was most interested in attending, and spoke with a Dean. He was kind, friendly, upbeat, and spoke quite candidly with me about the school’s commitment to both ethnic and socio-economic diversity. I explained my situation to him and he encouraged me to apply. He also gave me helpful advice about how to proceed. After that conversation, I decided to apply for the QB Match.</p>
<p>I am Caucasian (about as white as you can get, and I included the optional photo with my app.) I live in a nice suburb and attend a good school. I do, however, face some extraordinary financial and unusual personal obstacles. I am “high-achieving/low-income” from a single/disabled parent home. My stats are well above the posted averages. I’m taking 6 AP classes–all A’s & A+'s; I volunteer; I am politically active; I am involved in the performing arts; I belong to a few select clubs; I work part-time; and I have to help out at home–a lot. Obviously, some days are rough, and I don’t get much sleep. Still, I remain positive, and I always remind myself that there are others that are much worse off than I am. I don’t feel extraordinary, or think I’m superior, or entitled to anything.</p>
<p>So, I applied for the Match even though I did not truly believe that I would be chosen as a finalist, and certainly did not dream of being matched. (Only about 5% are actually matched—in admit-rate terms that is not encouraging.) I did think that it would give me “a leg up” in the ED and/or RD process, and I liked the QB App better than the Common App. And, I was already going to be applying to 6 of the LAC partner schools. </p>
<p>Imagine my surprise when I was notified of my finalist status, and subsequently of being matched. I thought it was a mistake. I did not believe that a white girl from the suburbs had any chance of being matched. Any assumptions that I made, any preconceived notions that I had went out the window that day. Honestly, deep down, at first, I felt as though I didn’t even have a right to be selected. I applaud those schools that give URM’s (as you call them) an opportunity to shine. I am, however, completely thrilled to be selected by such an amazing school. </p>
<p>I think it’s ignorant to say that a school is lowering its standards for URM’s. Amherst, for one, takes the position that a 1250 SAT student from a certain disadvantaged background would be a 1500 SAT student if transported to someplace like Greenwich, CT. Amherst looks for students who are doing the best they can with what they have to work with. Potential and character count. I think that’s admirable, not racist in the reverse.</p>
<p>As for me, I ranked 4 top LAC’s that I was already interested in. I also had an ED App submitted and waiting in the wings pending the outcome of the Match. Ultimately, I did not gain admission into my #1 choice, but rather into my #2. I had a brief moment of longing and loss for #1. I withdrew my ED App, and quickly embraced the exciting future that is before me. And, I soon learned that I was not the only “suburban white girl” that this LAC selected. Two white matches out of a small pool of matches may possibly dispel the anti-white myth, if you put faith in Statistics.</p>
<p>I think it is a mistake to offer gross generalizations about the QB Match. From reading the QB finalist forums, I could see that there was a lot of erroneous information being spread as gospel, creating confusion for people who did not seem willing or able to do the proper research. I read everything thoroughly, made charts, and double-checked anything ambiguous with the schools. I encountered no problems.</p>
<p>Also, making inferences and predictions based on such a small statistical sample, and with a short history, is iffy at best. I also don’t believe that 50 points on the SAT implies a far superior candidate. (The score range is already + or - 30 pts, after all.) Top 5% or 10% means nothing absent the context of the school profile. It’s easy to manipulate stats to support your case. Plus, you’re lumping Blacks, Hispanics, Native-Americans, Eskimos, and mixed race people all together. Are they all the same? What about Asians? Are Koreans and Vietnamese and Hmong and Chinese and Japanese and Thai all the same? What about South Asians? I think it’s distasteful to characterize people under some URM umbrella. And frankly, statistically speaking, the differences, percentage-wise, reported here, are, for the most part, negligible between the approximately 100 Matches and approximately 500 RD’s. </p>
<p>I also think people need to stop obsessing about their stats. This numbers-obsessed culture is destructive. We are not numbers. Stats play a minimal role in the process. People with 2300+ SAT’s are not auto-admits, nor are people with laundry lists of EC’s. </p>
<p>I took the SAT’s once. I spent little time in preparation. I set a minimum goal of 2100 and comfortably exceeded it, so I was not going to waste my precious time trying to squeeze out 50 or so more points to impress anyone. I took the minimum 2 SAT II’s. I did not take the ACT. I didn’t see the point. My EC’s are things I’ve being doing for a long time (before HS) without a thought to what colleges would think. Everything I do is interrelated and ties in with my long range goals. I have known what I wanted to do with my life for a long time. I have a unique perspective and some atypical aspirations.</p>
<p>QB clearly states that they are seeking individuals who are high-achieving in the context of their environment, and display a sincere altruism. I think this is why I was matched. I think my ethnicity had little, or nothing, to do with the decision. I don’t believe that any school sets out to select 2 Black, 2 Hispanic, 1 Native American, 1 Asian, and 1 White applicant. Or, 2 West Coast, 2 South, 2 Mid-West, and 1 East Coast applicant. I believe they select people based on fulfilling their particular mission, and by being moved and impressed by what they learn about an applicant. I think private institutions are well within their rights to determine what the correct fit is. I think the adcoms read the apps and the essays and show a preference for those that seem authentic, unique, wow them, and possibly bring a tear to their eye. That’s what I would do. The adcoms are human, and I’m sure they have visceral reactions to applicants. I think it’s only natural. I don’t believe there is any reverse-racism inherent in the process. I don’t believe anyone read my app and said "Oh, too bad she’s white, we can’t select her.” </p>
<p>QuestBridge does an admirable job of creating opportunity for low income students. It is up to the applicant to demonstrate and to convey his/her worthiness. (I wrote the three required essays and I used the additional info page for a fourth essay. I reworked and edited those essays multiple times over the course of a week. I put my all into it. My GC and teachers assured me that my recs were outstanding, as well. I did everything I could to portray myself wholly and accurately.) </p>
<p>Personally, apart from QB, if I was not matched, I was only going to apply to need blind LACs. I know, from researching, that FinAid packages at these schools are pretty great. The QB partners are amazing. There aren’t many other schools that are going to grant you $180,000 or so and give you so much support, as well. The partner schools should be commended for committing millions of dollars to help us achieve our goals. </p>
<p>QB exists to bridge the gap. It’s their mission, as their name implies. I hope the program expands, and that more schools agree to sign on as partners. Match status aside, I wholeheartedly endorse QB and the partner schools. </p>
<p>I wish everyone who was not matched the best in the RD round. Take heart; many of you will be successful. Do not despair, and do not be bitter. Negativity and feeling like the victim of a hoax is not going to bring good things to your life. You have to rise above. Believe in yourself and in the future. If you want it, you have to make it happen.</p>