QuestBridge Regular Decision

Decisions:

You are going to run into a lot of important decisions during this time. I'd advise you to get an advisor; if not, we may need to rely on AI slightly (not for writing, but to review how strong our application seems)

ED/EA or RD

The first decision you will face is ED/EA with schools on your match list or letting the application proceed to RD (this only applies to certain schools). If you are unfamiliar with the abbreviations, please consult the QuestBridge page :).

I personally waited for the RD round for a few reasons.

• Some people will be in a binding contract and have to go to their ED school. This removes them from applying or being competitors in other schools you're applying to.

• Most of the ED/EA pool are highly competitive applicants, so letting them flesh out (get into) these schools will either make them secure with one of their ED/EA schools or discourage them from applying to more schools since they already got in.

• You will have more time to do application updates and put in recent awards or significant changes that admission reviewers have to take note of before making your college decision.

Some pros to switching to EA/ED

• It gives you a higher chance to stand out because there are fewer applicants in this round, thus a higher acceptance rate.

• If you get in early, you'll have a sort of insurance. You can apply freely to other schools without stress because you already know you can go to this school, or you've already committed to this newly accepted school.

Personal take:

If you truly believe your application is strong enough to stand out in this ED/EA process, then go for it. It's a great way to achieve some sense of security or finish your application journey. If you're more skeptical, I'd recommend you wait for the ED/EA round to end and try to farm awards or projects to update your application. You can then stall time to refine a better application.

Common APP (CA) or QB RD

I have received many questions about this! I think it's important that you actually do both for a few reasons on both sides.

Pros to CA:

• If you feel that your QB application was rushed, you can refine your essays and submit to schools with a "better" application.

• CA also allows you to have more activities that you can list. If you feel that your application is very extracurricular or award-focused, CA would benefit you. (Additionally, you can use QB Finalist as a national award!)

• You also have time to make art portfolios (all mediums), because some QB schools do not accept or look at artistic pieces in the early process.

Pros to QB RD:

• No application waiver fees!

• College supplements for some schools may be shorter because your application already covers some extra essays.

• The schools you apply to here will already know that you are a QB Finalist and essentially give a hint of your financial state, which is crucial for your holistic review if that's a point you are trying to make.

• If you're worried about not being able to show enough awards or new extracurriculars, you can use application updates to supplement this.

• There are a lot of QB partner schools, so you can spam apply. I wouldn't recommend this for all the schools because of how much work it is and also the existence of QB Pilot Program.

QB Pilot Program:

This is a select program where QB takes students with strong applications that didn't match and sends their application to schools that you did not choose to apply to on the QB RD checklist. In my experience, I got accepted to WashU and Williams for my major without having to do any essays. Although it is a slight possibility that they will choose you, spam applying may hinder you from being able to receive this treatment. I'd recommend you to really focus first on the schools you actually want to apply to!

Additionally, if you get in, it is non-binding. You can go visit the schools during their early student admissions day because you technically got in during the early application time period. (I visited WashU :))

Here is a guide to Application Updates if you choose to submit any.

In the end, it is your choice to use whichever process that you'd like. I did a mix of both because I wanted an almost "perfect" application for Harvard, but I knew my QB app was strong enough to compete for top schools. I'd say if you have strong essays in QB app than stick with QB RD application. If not, use Common App because now you can edit your essays to make them better for RD. 

Application Checklist

If you are applying to a lot of schools, I'd recommend you make a check list. This helps you keep everything organized because applications will require certain financial forms or application updates. I will link a guide here.

Tips

I do recommend, if you can handle it, apply to as many schools as you can (only if you don't have to pay an application fee). I don't mean apply to schools that are super high acceptance rates, maybe one or two. I'd say apply to any school you have slight interest in or any targets or reaches. You never know if you'll get in! I know people who got rejected from so many universities but then got into one top school. 

REMEMBER IT ONLY TAKES ONE!!

I hope you all enjoyed the guide! Reach out to teo_program@gmail.com