QuestBridge

Source: https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply/questbridge Parent: https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/apply

Overview

Harvard College is committed to bringing the most promising students to Harvard from all socioeconomic backgrounds.

We are excited to partner with QuestBridge, an organization dedicated to connecting the nation’s brightest students from low-income backgrounds to top colleges and universities with full scholarships.

About QuestBridge

The QuestBridge College Match Program is a highly competitive, full-scholarship initiative that connects high-achieving, low-income high school seniors with some of the nation’s most prestigious colleges and universities. Through this program, students can gain admission to one of QuestBridge's partner schools with a guaranteed full four-year scholarship, covering tuition, housing, food, and other expenses.

The program is designed to support students who have excelled academically despite financial challenges. Participants submit a comprehensive application, including essays, recommendations, and financial information, which is then reviewed by both QuestBridge and partner colleges. QuestBridge Finalists rank up to 15 colleges in order of preference and, if matched, commit to attending the matched school with a full scholarship.

If admitted to a college partner through the College Match or QuestBridge Regular Decision, students join a supportive community of over 10,000 other QuestBridge Scholars currently attending QuestBridge college partners, and upon graduation, they’re welcomed into a network of over 20,000 QuestBridge Alumni for continued support, networking, and growth opportunities.

Learn more about QuestBridge

Quick Links

About

The Process

QuestBridge Home

Apply to Harvard through QuestBridge

Applying to Harvard through QuestBridge is one of several ways to apply to Harvard and may be a good option for low-income students interested in selective colleges due to the streamlined process and guarantee of financial aid. 

Important Notes

• Harvard’s generous financial aid program ensures that all students admitted through any application program or round - QuestBridge, Early Action, or Regular Decision - receive the necessary need-based aid.
• A student's chance of admission is not impacted by application choice, and a student should use only one type of application to apply to Harvard.
• Students who rank Harvard must be certain of their commitment to attend if matched, as the National College Match process is binding.
• If a student is not selected as a QuestBridge Finalist or does not match with Harvard or another binding institution through the National College Match, they may still be admitted to Harvard.
• For the most accurate and up-to-date information, students should consult the QuestBridge and Harvard Admissions websites.

Learn more about applying via QuestBridge

The QuestBridge Process

• If you are a QuestBridge Finalist and rank Harvard

National College Match applicants learn if they matched with a QuestBridge partner institution in early December via an email from QuestBridge. We will not release decisions over the phone or email – please contact QuestBridge directly if you have questions about your match process.

If you match with Harvard through the QuestBridge College Match program, it is a binding decision and we will be excited to welcome you the following fall. You must withdraw your applications from all other colleges and universities that you applied to outside of the National College Match.

If you don’t match with any college or university through the National College Match, your QuestBridge application will be reconsidered during our Regular Decision process after you fill out the QuestBridge Regular Decision Form. - #### If you are a QuestBridge Finalist and do not rank Harvard

If you rank colleges in the National College Match and DO NOT match with any institution, you are welcome to apply to Harvard through the QuestBridge Regular Decision Form on your Application Management Page by December 11.

QuestBridge will send applicant materials to Harvard by December 12. You will receive access to your Harvard Applicant Portal via email within one week. Please use the Harvard Applicant Portal to track the status of your materials.

All students are eligible for the same financial aid program which meets all students’ demonstrated need. Read more about Harvard’s financial aid and the application process here. - #### If you are a QuestBridge Finalist and do not rank ANY Colleges in the National College Match

If you do not rank any colleges (meaning you are not participating in the College Match), you may apply to Harvard through the Restrictive Early Action round (which is non-binding) which has a deadline of November 1, or the Regular Decision round which has a deadline of January 1.

If you wish to apply for Early Action consideration, you must submit the Common Application or Coalition Application.

If you wish to submit your QuestBridge application for Regular Decision, you must apply to Harvard through the QuestBridge Regular Decision Form.

QuestBridge will send applicant materials to Harvard. You will receive access to your Harvard Applicant Portal via email. Please use the Harvard Applicant Portal to track the status of your materials.

All students are eligible for the same financial aid program which meets all students’ demonstrated need. Read more about Harvard’s financial aid and the application process here. - #### If you are not a QuestBridge Finalist

QuestBridge non-finalists should apply to Harvard using the Common Application or Coalition Application. You can find out more about how to apply here.

All students are eligible for the same financial aid program which meets all students’ demonstrated need. Read more about Harvard’s financial aid and the application process here.

Frequently Asked Questions

The QuestBridge website is a great source of information for your questions. Below, we've listed some of the more frequently asked questions, and Harvard-specific answers.

• Where do I fill out the QuestBridge application? When do I start it?

The application opens in the late summer before you begin your senior year. You can find the application on the QuestBridge website here: www.questbridge.org/apply-to-college/programs/national-college-match/apply. - #### Can I apply to Harvard through the National College Match if I am not a U.S. citizen?

Yes. All students attending high school in the United States are eligible to apply through the QuestBridge National College Match. - #### Does applying through QuestBridge change my chances for admission and aid?

No. The QuestBridge application is one of our three rounds of admission - QuestBridge, Restrictive Early Action, and Regular Decision. Students who do not match with Harvard during the QuestBridge match - (and do not match with any other institution) - are welcome to apply to Harvard through the Regular Decision round to be considered again. We are committed to meeting the full financial need (with no loans and no student contribution) of eligible students regardless of when they apply. - #### What are the eligibility requirements for QuestBridge?

View this page for the eligibility requirements. Most of the students who are selected as Finalists come from households earning less than $65,000 per year for a household of four with minimal assets. (Assets include savings, investments, and homes, properties, or businesses owned.) However, there are no absolute cut-offs. - #### What is the QuestBridge timeline?

QuestBridge applications are due at the end of September. By mid-October, you must submit your college rank list which can include up to 15 colleges. A few days later you will find out if you are a Finalist, and then you may need to complete additional information for the specific colleges you ranked by November 1. Match Day - when you find out if you matched with a college - is early December. Visit this page for more information: www.questbridge.org/apply-to-college/programs/national-college-match/apply/dates-and-deadlines. - #### Do I still need to submit standardized testing?

Yes, Harvard requires the SAT or ACT test for every applicant. In exceptional cases when those tests are not accessible, one of the following can meet the requirement:

1. AP exam results
2. IB Actual or Predicted Scores
3. GCSE/A-Level Actual or Predicted Results
4. National Leaving Exams Results (externally assessed) or Predictions

Exceptional cases typically involve a student facing challenges in paying for or accessing a test site or a student being unable to secure an available seat at a test site prior to the Regular Decision deadline. The Admissions Committee does not expect applicants to go to extraordinary measures to access SAT or ACT test sites. Applicants will have an opportunity to provide an explanation for why they are unable to submit the SAT or ACT. - #### Is the QuestBridge match binding at Harvard?

Yes. Those who rank Harvard and match are expected to enroll. - #### If I don’t match with Harvard, can I still apply to Harvard?

You may still apply to Harvard through the Regular Decision program if you don’t match with any binding college during the match process. - #### Can I share additional materials?

Yes, you are welcome to submit additional information through your Applicant Portal or through Slideroom. View the supplemental materials section on this page. - #### Is there an application fee for the QuestBridge National College Match?

No! - #### Who can I contact for more info about applying to Harvard through Questbridge?

For Harvard-specific questions, you may contact us at questbridge@fas.harvard.edu. - #### If I share my QuestBridge application with Harvard during the Regular Decision round, do I also submit my Common Application or Coalition Application?

No. Students should submit only one application. - #### What materials does Harvard require in addition to the QuestBridge application?

• We require finalists and QuestBridge Regular Decision applicants to submit the Harvard Supplement for QuestBridge. The supplement includes the additional short-answer essay questions:
  • How do you hope to use your Harvard education? (150 words)
  • Tell us about a time when your perspective was different from someone else's. (400 words)*
  • *If you already answered this prompt in the Writing Exercise section of the QuestBridge National College Match application, you may submit the same response here.
• Students who match with Harvard, and students who apply through QuestBridge in Regular Decision, must have their school submit the QuestBridge Mid-Year report at the end of their first semester senior year.

• What are the financial aid application requirements for QuestBridge students?

We require the current year CSS Profile and the prior prior year federal tax returns and forms for custodial and non-custodial parent (if applicable). Keep in mind that the deadline for submitting these forms is November 1. - #### Can I apply to Harvard through the National College Match if I attend high school outside the U.S.?

Yes, U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents living abroad are eligible to apply for the match. - #### Will I have an alumni interview if I apply through the National College Match?

Interviews for National College Match candidates are assigned at the discretion of the Admissions Committee, and are not available by request. - #### Does Harvard College provide financial aid for travel to visit campus for QuestBridge scholars before they have been admitted?

No, Harvard does not provide any financial assistance to visit campus prior to admission. Admitted students who are eligible to receive travel assistance to attend Visitas (our program for admitted students) will be contacted directly with details. - #### If I am a QuestBridge Finalist, can I apply Restrictive Early Action to Harvard?

Yes. Applicants who are recognized as QuestBridge Finalists who do not rank any colleges for the National College Match may apply to Harvard in the Restrictive Early Action round. However, applicants to the Restrictive Early Action round are required to submit an application via the Common Application or Coalition Application powered by SCOIR; applicants can request fee waivers within either application. Restrictive Early Action applications are due by November 1 at 11:59 PM (applicant's local time). Finalists may not participate in the National College Match and also submit a separate application to Harvard in the Restrictive Early Action round.