QuestBridge College Admissions Conferences 

Each year, QuestBridge hosts invitation-only College Admissions Conferences for high school juniors during the late spring and early summer. Over 1,500 College Prep Scholars are invited to one of these sessions, which take place on several of our partner college campuses. In 2012, the conferences will be held at Northwestern, Princeton, and Stanford Universities.

Conference Benefits

The conferences feature workshops that detail how low-income students can make the most of the advantages they possess in the college admissions process. Students who attend the conference will have the opportunity to:

• Participate in small group conversations with QuestBridge partner college admissions officers and learn how to be a stronger applicant.
• Attend a college fair and talk with admissions officers about their colleges.
• Get to know students from around the country with similar backgrounds, abilities, and aspirations.
• Take a guided tour of the college campus.
• Hear inspiring words from Dr. Michael McCullough, QuestBridge Co-Founder and President. (Watch a video from previous conferences.)

In addition, QuestBridge staff and college admissions officers lead workshops covering:

• Strategies to use in preparing college applications, including how students can present their academic achievements in light of the obstacles they have overcome.
• Writing application essays that effectively portray life experiences.
• How to get the full benefit of top colleges’ generous financial aid policies that cover 100% of students’ financial need.
• Additional opportunities that QuestBridge offers through the National College Match and the Quest Scholars Network.

Travel Grants

QuestBridge is committed to helping as many students as possible attend the College Admissions Conferences. Each year, we do our best to provide a limited number of travel grants to students who travel long distances to attend the conferences. However, as a non-profit organization, we do not have the resources to sponsor travel for all students who receive conference invitations, and can only provide a limited number of travel grants.

We encourage student to fundraise on their own if possible. Past students have been successful in raising funds from sources such as local businesses, churches, and community organizations in order to cover their travel expenses. You may wish to review the fundraising guide on the Junior Statesmen Foundation’s website for more ideas.

Conference Details

You will be asked to choose your preferred conference location on the College Prep Scholarship application.

The 2012 College Admissions Conference locations and dates are:

May 12 at Stanford University
June 16 at Princeton University
June 23 at Northwestern University

To get a sense of what the day will be like, please click here to view a sample conference schedule.