What QuestBridge Partner Colleges would be the best fit for me?

College Search & Lists
1

<p>Here is the list
[Partner</a> Colleges](<a href=“http://www.questbridge.org/partner-colleges/overview-listing]Partner”>QuestBridge)</p>

<p>Gender: Female
Ethnicity: East Asian
Location: Washington
Noncompetitive Large Public School, but will have competition for colleges in California
GPA: 3.8 UW (downward trend from freshman and sophomore year, did bad 1st semester of junior year)
SAT: 2060 Composite
SAT II: Planning on taking Math II and Biology
Class Rank: Top 15%</p>

<p>Junior Schedule:
Orchestra (0 period)
AP Biology, expecting a 3 or 4
AP English Language and Composition, expecting a 3 or 4
AP Economics (Micro/Macro), expecting a 3 or 4 on both tests
Math Analysis (Pre-Calculus)
Spanish 3-4
US History</p>

<p>Senior Schedule:
Orchestra (0 period) <– may not do
AP Psychology
AP Statistics
Government <—may change to AP Gov
AP Computer Science
Humanities
Physics</p>

<p>Extracurriculars: Key Club (secretary), NHS, Swim Team, Tennis Team, TeenCERT (training program for volunteer emergency response), Orchestra (2nd chair violin), Hand bell Choir since 2nd grade, volunteer program for teaching students violin, approximately 300-400 hours of volunteer service</p>

<p>Awards: AP Scholar with Distinction, MIP Orchestra, MVP Orchestra, Scholar Athlete, Academic Achievement (top 20%) awards, various other school awards, QuestBridge College Prep Scholar</p>

<p>Other info: I speak Cantonese, low income student (qualified for free/reduced lunch), sort of first-generation (brother went to university but never got job, parents have very low education level)</p>

2

<p>The above information doesn’t address your topic question (except with respect to admission selectivity).</p>

<ul>
<li>What is your intended major(s)?</li>
<li>How far away from home are you willing to travel?</li>
<li>Do you have any preferences for climate, region (N/S/E/W), or setting (urban/rural)?</li>
<li>Would you prefer a large research university (more course offerings, bigger classes) or a small liberal arts college (smaller classes, fewer course offerings, probably no business/engineering/journalism majors)?</li>
</ul>

<p>etc.</p>

<p>Your stats should qualify you for many of the most selective colleges and universities (except for the Ivies and some other super-selective schools, which may be out of reach for your class rank and downward trend). Browse through one of the major college guides (such as the Fiske Guide) for ideas. Basic information also is available on the US News site.</p>

3

<p>If you want a Questbridge partner on the West Coast, with realistic admission odds for your stats, your options are limited. If you’re seriously considering engineering, then you only have one of those, namely USC, unless you want to consider a LAC (liberal arts college) with a 3-2 program. Scripps College is a West Coast LAC and QB partner that does offer a 3-2 engineering program (as well as bio/chem/physics in the Keck Science Department). Scripps would be a reach, but has a lot going for it including its relationship with 4 other schools in the Claremont consortium (including Harvey Mudd, a small STEM powerhouse.)</p>

<p>Moving farther east, you have Colorado College. Again, it’s a small LAC with no engineering (unless you pursue a 3-2 program). However, it has some pretty strong science programs (especially geology). It has the sunny climate and urban/suburban setting you want. It’s closer to home and a bit less selective than many of the other QB partners. I think an Asian female low-income/first-gen STEM nerd would have an admission edge at Colorado College.</p>

<p>Trinity College is one of the few LACs with its own engineering program. Your stats should give you a realistic shot at admission. However, the climate and setting is not as nice as Scripps or Colorado College, and it’s much farther from home (CT).</p>

<p>Rice has warm weather and engineering, but I’m afraid would be a long shot. Ditto for Vanderbilt (although your chances there might be slightly better than at Rice).</p>

4

<p>OP mentioned that she is “leaning towards STEM fields.” She said nothing about engineering, so I would not jump to the conclusion that she needs an engineering program. Most of the Questbridge colleges offer strong opportunities to study mathematics and science.</p>

<p>Out of 35 Questbridge colleges, 5 are located on the West Coast – Caltech, Pomona, Scripps, Stanford, and USC. Caltech is STEM only, so I would not recommend it to the OP unless she is absolutely gung-ho for STEM.</p>

<p>In my opinion weather should be an unimportant factor in selecting a college. I would encourage the OP to read up on all of the Questbridge colleges. Keep in mind that many of these colleges are very competitive for admissions, so don’t fall in love with any of them. Questbridge will be helpful for admissions, but it is not a guarantee.</p>

5

<p>You may want to ask your question here as well:
[Questbridge</a> Programs - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/questbridge-programs/]Questbridge”>Questbridge Programs - College Confidential Forums)</p>