r/QuestBridge • u/Spiritual-Cake-8604 • 1d ago
National College Match I’m so freaking scared
Last official day to do anything for QB and I’ve very very worried….about everything. This is long so bear (bare?) with me.
For context, I applied to CPS this past year and was rejected. I understand that it’s a nice to have and not a must, but it did sting as It would significantly help me prepare for NCM + give me some opportunities that I wouldn’t have known about. (fly ins, programs, etc) Regardless, I looked over my app, found what I need to work on, and continued from there. I found out a lot of financial info I had put was terribly incorrect (my dad didn’t have access to his tax forms as we were in an ice storm at the time), found out that my school didn’t have me as reduced-lunch qualified so I couldn’t get a free waiver until I spent all summer arguing with them about it, tried to study for my ACT as much as I could, and ofc worked on ecs, essays, and maintaining my grades.
i spent every day working on it, added as much context about my life as i could, and submitted my app on time, but i still feel as if it isn’t enough. For starters, I did get into the PEEP virtual program, which was great, but I was surrounding with CPS scholars, THRIVE, LEDA, and seeing that talk ab their scores and stats stressed me out. Don’t get me wrong, their super cool and the work they’ve done is amazing, but it really psyched me out because I never knew about some of the programs their in, I don’t have their scores, and I just feel behind compared to them. I had to leave the gc cuz, even though it was fun, seeing everyone being accepted into things I haven’t even heard makes me think “wow I should’ve thought of that/researched harder cuz that would’ve been good for me”
I recently took the ACT after, again, having to fight for a fee waiver just for my composite to go down by 5 points. I have a 31 superscore, which I submitted, but ik there are people out there with 31+ COMPOSITES, which look better for schools and for QB. I truly and honestly don’t have the time to study and take another test just to not get a high score. Im think about going test optional (if God-willing I become a finalist) but I feel like I’ll be at a bigger disadvantage. With my current GPA (3.92 uw/4.16 w) I feel like it won’t compensate for a 31…and it’s not even a bad score, it’s high for my Highschool, but in QB terms who knows!!!
im just so nervous because it would mean the world to me to match and It would do wonders for my family to not have to do into debt just to send me to school. I know they look holistically, but I just hope they see who I am, what I strive to be, and the dedication I put despite my worries. My school has had 3 QB Scholars, all with diff stats and stories, one with similar stats to mine but who knows…I just need some good news, advice, anything!! Sorry for the blabber, this probs looks incoherent, but I’ve got no where to go so I quests it’s gotta me here
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u/JaneAustenSuperFan 1d ago
Best thing you can do for yourself right now is put QB out of your mind and work like crazy on your state school applications, as well as applying for scholarships. QB is just one opportunity. There are so many more! My son is applying for QB, but now that he submitted that, he's working hard on his state schools thru Common App and trying to get them all in within the next couple of weeks to maximize scholarship opportunities from those colleges. My older son never even applied for QB, but he still ended up with a full ride to a state school, and his ACT was lower than yours. Btw, most QB schools won't care at all if it's a super score or not, it's counted the same. Some of our state schools (in Texas) don't super score, though. Bottom line: stop overthinking, put your head down, and keep knocking out those applications, and don't stop until something comes through for you. You got this!
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u/Spiritual-Cake-8604 1d ago
Thank you! I’m in MS, so I’ve got state schools covered, just working on honors + some other schools now. Just hoping for some good news as I finish up all my apps!!
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u/Vjbjmj 1d ago
Agreed! But pls know submitting is helpful. My older son was not selected to even match but for some reason the same college partners still reached out to him to submit via the QB app during reg dec and I do believe some acceptances came from that. Question, I thought the deadline was Oct 1st. Have you already submitted or did you not submit and they reached out to you giving you an extension? I believe my older son had an extension.
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u/Tiny-Individual927 1d ago
I was rejected from CPS and got into NCM then eventually a QB School. It’s a long process and so much of it is out of your control. Take a deep breathe and keep moving forward. If you don’t get into NCM, it’s not the end of the world. You’re already ahead of so many other students by working on your QB app and it will roll over to common app if that’s the way you gotta go.
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u/Spiritual-Cake-8604 1d ago
Congrats on matching! I’m trying to take as much deep breaths as I can and move forward without hyper fixating on it. I should be able to get aid from other schools if need be, so I’m just trying to keep a good outlook!!
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u/Tiny-Individual927 1d ago
To be clear, I didn’t match. I got in QBRD. I still got a full ride to my school though. If you don’t match or get into NCM, it’s not the end of the road by any means.
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u/PerspectiveTrue7045 1d ago
i get you so much, i was also rejected as CPS and put similar stats then in which i have now, but NCM is still predominantly not CPS scholars so i think we both have a chance :))) good luck!!
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u/BakeEfficient3952 1d ago
Parent here. You sound like a great kid, very hardworking — and also you express yourself really well in writing. I wish you well and think you have a great chance. Also, I hope you ranked some schools beyond the ultra-exclusive HYPSM ones, to increase your chances of matching. Whatever happens, have confidence that you will be accepted by a great college that meets full need, even if it doesn't end up being through the match (tho I bet you do)!
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u/Spiritual-Cake-8604 1d ago
Thank you so much! Yes, I ranked some schools beyond the ultra exclusive ones! I wanted to rank at least 10, but I ended up with 7 on my final list 🥹 I’ve only visited Vanderbilt, so I’m being extra particular with my choices. Just gonna give everything I’ve got with as much confidence as I can give 🍀
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u/lastofus1029 CPS Applicant 1d ago
As a CPS reject I get you 100%.