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What Is College Prep Scholars Program?
Who Can Apply?
How to Apply
Powerful Benefits
A Pathway to Elite Schools
Getting Accepted
The QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Program helps academically motivated low-income high school juniors embark early on a successful transition to a great university. Each spring thousands of qualifying applicants who get accepted into the program enjoy unique support, including access to summer study programs, higher education mentors, college application resources, awards programs, and more. The program also elevates participants' visibility across a wide network of top-notch colleges and universities while helping to demystify the complexities of applying to college.
If your family is low income but you have an exceptional academic record and dreams of getting into a top school, keep reading to learn more about QuestBridge, the College Prep Scholars program, who's eligible, how to apply, and more.
QuestBridge is a US nonprofit, founded in 1994, that partners with a network of member schools, all with the goal of helping low-income students — and often first-generation college students — successfully navigate the college application landscape.
Given the quality of the partnering schools and today's competitive admissions landscape, QuestBridge offers a unique model, empowering motivated students who are striving to earn their way to a top school despite financial and generational challenges.
Keep reading for a deep dive into the College Prep Scholars Program, QuestBridge's early entry college pathway for qualifying high school juniors.
If you’re a qualifying high school junior — more on that in a moment — the College Prep Scholars Program is an ideal way to get connected to QuestBridge services, resources, and university networks.
Key Features:
The QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Program is designed for high school juniors with outstanding academics who come from low-income backgrounds (families earning less than $65,000 a year for a household of four).
- Class Rank: Top 5-10% of the graduating class.
- Standardized Test Scores: Optional, but recommended if you have them. Typical scores for past Scholars:
- SAT: 1290 - 1460 (middle 50%)
- ACT: 26 - 31 (middle 50%)
To qualify students based on income, QuestBridge looks at both family income, family size, and important family resources or assets.
To apply, you’ll need to submit the College Prep Scholars Program application using the online portal.
It’s free to apply, and you’ll find links to application support resources and application instructions here.
The most game-changing benefit of being a College Prep Scholar can simply be the visibility it provides you within the organization’s network of partner colleges. In essence, the distinction itself pre-qualifies you for great future opportunities.
Your status as a College Prep Scholar distinguishes you academically.
Your income-based eligibility can help you qualify for enhanced financial and academic support, as well as application resources and mentoring, across a network of excellent colleges and universities.
During the summer between junior and senior years, QuestBridge College Prep Scholars may get selected to take college-level courses on a world-class campus, preparing for college and college life.
This noteworthy benefit is a chance to experience life beyond high school while also exploring university-level academics before applying to college in your senior year.
Summer learning awards may cover the full cost of travel, tuition, housing and meals, and supplies.
According to QuestBridge, students who participate in a summer program will:
As a QuestBridge College Prep Scholar, you’ll be in the running for a range of other awards and opportunities, including:
Whether you gain the distinction of being a College Prep Scholar or not, simply applying is a great way to signal your interest in QuestBridge programs and learn more about all they offer.
If you fit the eligibility criteria and you’re motivated to achieve academically in high school and college, QuestBridge can help you chart a course to any number of truly exceptional colleges and universities across a higher education network that includes seven Ivies, Stanford, MIT, and many more great schools. (As of this writing, Harvard was the only Ivy not partnering with QuestBridge.)
In addition to the visibility you get within their network of school partners, the opportunities for one-on-one admissions advising, essay coaching, peer and educator networks, and other resources can provide you access to a level of guidance you don’t often see for students, especially students whose families can’t afford private admissions counselors.
Empowering Students to Achieve Their Dreams
I've watched College Prep Scholars gain confidence in themselves and their college potential. Many go on to attend schools like Yale, UPenn, and Stanford on full scholarships through QuestBridge.
As a Questbridge College Prep Scholar you're not just being helped through the college application process, you're being actively encouraged and empowered every step of the way, until you cross the graduation stage.
If you have what it takes to be a College Prep Scholar, you're likely ready to succeed at the nation's best colleges. This program helps you make that dream a reality.
The power of the QuestBridge College Prep Scholars Program is hard to over estimate. It can be truly life changing for the students who participate.
If you're academically talented and committed and a high school junior from a low-income household, our Strategists at Crimson Education urge you to apply — it could be the single most important stepping stone to your future success!
Here are a few tips to get you on track if you want to apply for the College Prep Scholars.
Just to highlight the size and scope of the opportunity, 3,911 high school juniors — about 23% of those who applied — got selected to be College Prep Scholars in the last scholarship cycle, based on their academic achievement, financial qualifications, and personal character!
While Questbridge is an exceptional program, and one that stands apart from most others, you'll find other organizations out there that are also eager to help you access support for your college journey.
The Questbridge College Prep Scholars Program is more than just a scholarship program; it's a lifeline for high-achieving, low-income students who dare to dream big. As Crimson Education Strategists, we've seen the impact QuestBridge support can have on students’ lives, offering them the resources, guidance, and confidence to pursue their college dreams. We strongly encourage eligible students to seize this opportunity and embark on a journey that could transform their future.
Remember, the future is bright for those who are brave enough to pursue their dreams, and the Questbridge College Prep Scholars Program is a formidable ally in that pursuit.
If you’re excited about exploring more opportunities and resources, with insights from Crimson Education, we’d be happy to explore your college dreams with you. You can schedule a free consultation here. Our world-leading team of admissions counselors will be excited to hear where you’re at on your journey!
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