What's with the geographic distribution of QB matches and finalists?

[applicannot]

<p>

So what you’re saying is that if there are two candidates, one from NE, the other from the South, and both are objectively making the same amount of money, the candidate from NE would actually have a lower standard of living? By that line of reasoning, QB should see the NE candidate as more favorable, since he/she has to experience more hardship.

</p>

<p>I’m saying that because the cost of living is higher in the Northeast, the person making the same would have less buying power. That may or may not correlate with a lower standard of living; the NE has other factors that actually increase standard of living. Income is not a direct measure of hardship. Someone with a lower income does not automatically have more hardship, especially because QuestBridge consideres other factors such as home life, educational opportunity, family history.</p>

<p>

3% of QB finalists are from NE, while 15% are from the mid-atlantic.

</p>

<p>Maybe that year, the Mid-Atlantic students were just better applicants.</p>