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QuestBridge

QuestBridge is a platform that connects the nation's brightest students from low-income backgrounds with leading institutions of higher education. 

Are you participating in the QuestBridge National College Match? If so, then read below for more details on the application process.

High school students entering their senior year who are considering applying to Penn through QuestBridge, should begin the process with the National College Match Application. 

 

If you:

  1. Are a QuestBridge Finalist
  2. Are participating in the National College match but have chosen not to rank Penn as one of your ranked schools

You are able to apply as a Regular Decision applicant to Penn. However, if you receive a binding match from one of your ranked schools, you must withdraw your application to Penn. The Regular Decision deadline is January 5th.

If you would like to apply using your QuestBridge application, you must request to forward your application to Penn using the Regular Decision Form provided by QuestBridge. You must also fill out the Penn Supplement, which will be available on your Penn Applicant Portal once your application has been received by Penn in mid-December.

If you don’t want to use your QuestBridge application, you can apply to Penn through Common App or the Coalition Application. You’re also eligible for a fee waiver. While filling out either application, you will be asked if you are a QuestBridge applicant and then prompted to enter your 9-digit QuestBridge ID number in order to waive the fee. 

If Penn is your top choice, please consider applying to Penn through the Early Decision program.

Penn’s grant-based financial aid program will meet your family’s demonstrated financial need. QuestBridge students will generally be considered for a four-year Match Scholarship only in those cases where the expected parent contribution is less than $4500, and it appears unlikely that it will change over time.

Please note: Penn’s policies for Early Decision applicants is a binding process. To apply Early Decision to Penn using your QuestBridge Application, you must log into your Penn Applicant Portal and complete the Penn Supplement to the QuestBridge Application. This supplement is due November 1 at 11:59 pm, your local time.

You may also apply Regular Decision. Regular Decision Applicants must submit the required materials by January 5. If you choose to apply Regular Decision, you can do so using your QuestBridge Application. You will also need to fill out the Penn Supplement, which will be available on your Penn Applicant Portal.

If you don’t want to use your QuestBridge Application for the Early or Regular Decision process, you will also be eligible for a fee waiver through Common App or the Coalition Application. While filling out either application, you will be asked if you are a QuestBridge applicant and then prompted to enter your 9-digit QuestBridge ID number in order to waive the fee. 

All non-participating finalists will receive an email from Penn with instructions on how to access the Penn Applicant Portal shortly after finalists are announced by QuestBridge in October.

If you:

  1. Submitted a QuestBridge Application

  2. And were not selected by QuestBridge as a finalist

You can still apply to Penn either Early Decision or Regular Decision. Please note: Penn’s policies for each Decision process and the deadlines for each. The Early Decision deadline is November 1 and the Regular Decision deadline is January 5.

If Penn is your top choice, please consider applying to Penn through the Early Decision program.

Please note: Penn’s policies for Early Decision applicants is a binding process. To apply Early Decision to Penn using your QuestBridge Application, you must log into your Penn Applicant Portal and complete the Penn Supplement to the QuestBridge Application. This supplement is due November 1 at 11:59 pm, your local time.

You may also apply Regular Decision. Regular Decision Applicants must submit the required materials by January 5. If you choose to apply Regular Decision, you can do so using your QuestBridge Application. You will also need to fill out the Penn Supplement, which will be available on your Penn Applicant Portal.

If you don’t want to use your QuestBridge Application for the Early or Regular Decision process, you will also be eligible for a fee waiver through Common App or the Coalition Application. While filling out either application, you will be asked if you are a QuestBridge applicant and then prompted to enter your 9-digit QuestBridge ID number in order to waive the fee. 

All non-finalists will receive an email from Penn with instructions on how to access the Penn Applicant Portal shortly after finalists decisions are announced by QuestBridge in October.

QuestBridge Application Flowchart
questbridge flowchart