Fall 2024 marks a lot of new beginnings—a new semester with our newest students (shout out to the Class of 2028), among them our inaugural QuestBridge Scholars cohort. QuestBridge is a national program that provides a full four-year scholarship to academically high-achieving students who face financial hardship. There are more than 50 college partners you can match with.
As application season starts, we’d like to introduce a few of our Scholars. Read on for advice they have for students who are interested in applying to Hopkins through QuestBridge’s application.
Kathy Q.
She/her/hers
Minneapolis, MN
As someone who had difficulty finding research opportunities in high school, I didn’t want to go through the same thing in college. For that reason, Hopkins was one of my top choices. What further separated Hopkins from other colleges was the diverse campus with many student organizations located in a very artsy city. I wanted to be exposed to different cultures, backgrounds, and languages as there is just so much to learn both inside and outside the classroom. I loved the idea of being able to work with a community through volunteer opportunities and outreach programs. Moreover, I liked the proximity to cities such as Washington, DC and New York City and that Baltimore has gems such as museums, parks, and fun events!
I heard about QuestBridge when I searched for generous scholarships for graduating seniors. I really didn’t know how it worked until one of my friends reached out and explained the process of matching with a college and receiving a full scholarship. I started doing more research, which was supplemented by emails and other information from QuestBridge.
Looking back, I wish I had more holistically researched my college options. I did virtual tours and online sessions. I explored websites and brochures and attended college visits at my school. However, I wish I had reached out to current students at their respective colleges. I recommend you be diligent in asking questions and connecting with current students. There are just so many factors to consider when deciding which college to attend, from school vibe and size to the strength of their different programs. Use the many resources available to navigate the college process, such as the QB group chats on Discord and messenger and advisors. Most importantly, don’t procrastinate and take time for yourself.
Taiyo T.
He/him/his
Dededo, Guam
I found out about QuestBridge through a poster on my school’s billboard. I began to research schools and, because I knew I wanted to major in computer engineering, I applied to schools with good engineering programs. Hopkins happened to be near the top of that list, with great diversity and a strong engineering school.
My advice for seniors applying through QuestBridge is to keep people around you in the loop. Your QB application deadline is earlier than most other university admissions plans, and you will have to let your recommenders and counselor know about it ASAP. If you become a finalist, you should let your teachers know that, within the span of a few weeks, you have to work on up to 15 college applications for a full-ride Match Scholarship to top-tier institutions. Navigating the QuestBridge National College Match application process is a lot easier with teamwork, so communication is key!
Joanna H.
She/her/hers
Morristown, NJ
As a first-generation, low-income student, my family was completely lost in the college application process and how we were going to afford college. We only planned on applying to a couple of schools, most of which were public. Our lives changed when my older brother stumbled upon a random email in his inbox. Though we were skeptical of QuestBridge at first (because a full-ride scholarship to a top university sounded too good to be true), he matched with his dream school. This opened my eyes to endless opportunities I never imagined were possible.
I instantly knew I wanted to apply to Hopkins, one of QuestBridge’s newest partners, because I had always admired their ground-breaking research opportunities. When my eyes first laid on the flashing “YOU MATCHED!” banner, countless emotions flowed through my body. I couldn’t believe I was now part of The Nest and was about to be in the first QuestBridge Scholars cohort at Hopkins.
To future QuestBridge applicants, know you have already accomplished so much, from overcoming everything life has thrown at you to being a high-achieving student despite financial circumstances. You should be immensely proud of yourself. Don’t be afraid to seek help from the people you trust and stay optimistic! Good luck on your journey, I know you’ll do great!
Adamari R.
She/her/ella
Newark, NJ
From a young age, I knew I wanted to be a doctor, especially one that would help underserved communities. Hopkins embodies my desire to change the world because of the many resources it offers students like me. What most attracted me to Hopkins was its support for students who come from limited-income backgrounds. At Hopkins, I have an array of opportunities that are already being offered to me that will set me up to become the best doctor I can be. The immense amount of support that the university continuously provides students was ultimately the thing that pushed me to rank Hopkins. With all the opportunities I am being given, there is no doubt in my mind I will be able to achieve all my goals and one day give back to our community.
I decided to apply to Hopkins through QuestBridge after hearing about it from former students at my high school. Many students in my high school had matched to schools through QuestBridge, and seeing how much it had helped them pushed me to follow in their footsteps. From these students, I was able to learn so much about the program and how it would continue to help me beyond my college years. Just like those students who helped me learn about QuestBridge, I also desire to help people who plan to apply through the National College Match. My biggest piece of advice is to reach out to QuestBridge Match Scholars, especially those who are attending schools you are interested in. The process can sometimes feel overwhelming, but with the right support, everything will be manageable and fun. All the QB people I have talked to have been nothing but supportive, and I am sure they would be honored to help anyone wanting to learn about the match. My QB community at Hopkins is already so supportive and amazing, and I cannot wait to spend the next four years with them!
Michelle L.
she/her/hers
baltimore, md
Hopkins has been my dream college for a long time. I ranked Hopkins mainly because of the great engineering program, its closeness to home, and the opportunities and resources I’ve already experienced here. I’ve done a lot of research and internships through Hopkins, which has helped me learn more about the school.
I found out about QuestBridge on my own by scrolling through social media and watching videos about scholarships and programs during my junior year. My advice to applicants is to start early because it’s a comprehensive process, especially in the first semester of senior year. The application and deadlines can be a lot to stay on top of, so make a schedule to keep track of everything. Try to set your own deadlines a bit earlier to give yourself some extra time. Don’t rush things and get as much help as you can at every step—don’t try to do it all on your own. It’ll make everything a lot easier.
Susan T.
She/her/hers
Houston, TX
Upon my research for colleges and scholarships, I stumbled across QuestBridge—a national program that connects first-generation, low-income students with top universities. As I traversed through the catalog of match partners, Johns Hopkins University piqued my interest. This was Hopkins’ first year participating in the Match, so I thought “Why not look?” To my surprise, this university had a plethora of resources for humanities and social sciences. In my venture, I found a discipline that encourages conversations around the social implications and complexities between morality and markets, and the Kessler Scholars program, a community that invests in student growth through research and networking opportunities. In addition, the school’s proximity to DC as well as its study abroad programs increased my desire to apply.
It seemed almost too good to be true. After all, I wasn’t the ideal applicant—I wasn’t the president of anything, I didn’t win national competitions, and I didn’t even have a firm grasp of who I was—yet I was already imagining myself at a school filled with the most exceptional students worldwide. Did I really stand a chance? It was already far-fetched enough to believe I was going to be a part of this esteemed institution with a tuition higher than my family’s income, and now I’m asking for a full ride on top of that? These questions plagued my mind as I filled out the QuestBridge application, but another question spoke louder than the rest: “Why not?” Following my submission, I reopened my confetti-filled application months later, thankful I took the chance QB gave me.
To the prospective students reading this: Whenever you doubt yourself, remember to ask yourself, “Why not?” Don’t let yourself be the one stopping you from reaching your dreams—you are capable and worthy of whatever you set your mind to. Good luck and have fun with the application process!
Kimberly R.
She/her/hers
Sylmar, CA
Hopkins has greatly impacted the field of medicine and I, with an immense passion for medicine and healthcare, wanted to be part of making this positive impact in the community. I knew I would be presented with way more opportunities at Hopkins than in other colleges in the field I was interested in. The institution excels at giving students the resources and support they need to succeed, a factor that was very important to me as a first-generation student. At Hopkins you will feel welcome. With the high levels of diversity, it’s very easy to find a community where you belong. Visiting campus for Early Decision Visit Day confirmed my ideas. Each table at the resource fair gave me reassurance that Hopkins was the perfect place for me.
In the beginning of my QuestBridge application I was skeptical of being matched without having the opportunity to choose where I wanted to spend the next four years of my life. Once I matched with Hopkins, I started to have doubts about my decision, but after going through the subsequent process and learning more about the university, those worries went away. By being matched with Hopkins, you will not have to worry about any finances throughout your four years of undergrad because you will have your guaranteed full-ride scholarship. You won’t have to worry about anything while receiving education from a distinguished, well-known university. Coming from a low-income family, that was crucial for me in pursuing higher education. After being part of the summer program Hop-In and spending my first week on campus for Orientation, I can confidently say Hopkins has provided me with the resources to be ready for classes even before the semester starts. I feel supported to continue my academic career by all that’s available to me.
