The National College Exploration Conference is an in-person-only event with unique content and experiences that will not be available virtually. This is a distinctive opportunity to explore your options with college partners, find the best fit for you through engaging in person with admissions counselors, and learn more about the opportunities QuestBridge offers through the National College Match and QuestBridge Scholars Network.

The virtual National College Admissions Conference is offered to all College Prep Scholars and is an opportunity to gain valuable information about the National College Match. In those sessions, you will gain the foundations of the National College Match application and an introduction to your college journey.

This conference is for College Prep Scholars who are selected to attend by invitation only. Each College Prep Scholar invited to attend can bring one guest to the conference, who will participate in a separate guest program throughout the day.

In general, only a parent/guardian, family member, or other adult over the age of 18 may attend as a guest. Due to space limitations, we will not be able to accommodate additional guests such as younger siblings, other students, or friends. Please note that all programming will be conducted in English, and we are unfortunately unable to provide translations.

There is no cost for the conference programming, but students will need to plan and pay for their own travel expenses, including transportation and accommodations, if necessary. Breakfast and lunch will be included at the conference.

QuestBridge awards a limited number of travel grants to students who will be traveling long distances to attend a National College Exploration Conference. As a nonprofit organization, QuestBridge does not have the resources to sponsor travel for all students who receive invitations to the QuestBridge conferences.

All students who have been awarded a travel grant were notified in their College Prep Scholars Program decision letter.

We encourage you to fundraise on your own from sources such as local businesses and other community organizations. Many students who have attended our organization's events in past years have been successful in doing so.

QuestBridge is committed to providing inclusive events. If there is a reasonable accommodation (dietary, mobility, etc.) that would assist you in fully participating in this event, please email us as far in advance as possible, but at least two weeks prior to the conference. Please note that we will provide vegetarian lunch options (you do not have to request this ahead of time) but are unable to accommodate other dietary restrictions. In the event that we are unable to meet your accommodation request(s), or if we have any questions, we will reach out in advance.

You will be meeting other students from across the country as well as college admissions representatives, so we recommend that you wear attire that is both professional and comfortable. Nice jeans and sneakers are acceptable, but we recommend avoiding both overly formal clothing (suits, heels, etc.) and overly casual clothing (pajamas, crop tops, short shorts, tank tops, flip flops, etc.) as you think about how you want to present yourself in this environment. Keep in mind you’ll be walking around campus, and it may be cold indoors and hot outside.

Please bring a water bottle, pen or pencil, and any other supplies you might need to be comfortable throughout the day.

We are committed to having a healthy and safe environment, with the understanding that no event is risk-free. We encourage participants to stay home if they feel sick but all attendees participate at their own risk. Masking at the conference is a personal choice that is left up to each individual and we ask that you respect everyone's choice.

To make the most of the conference: 

• Engage actively. Ask questions during sessions and connect with admissions representatives.
• Reflect on your college goals. Use this opportunity to think critically about what you want in a college experience.
• Network with peers. Other attendees share similar goals, and connecting with them can offer valuable perspectives.
• Take notes. You’ll receive a lot of information that will be useful when completing your National College Match application.

If you are unable to attend this National College Exploration Conference, you may be eligible to attend one of our other on-campus conferences instead. Please email us at [email protected] with the subject line "Conference location change" to request this change. If you are unable to attend an on-campus National College Exploration Conference, note that you will still have access to the virtual National College Admissions Conference and recordings of key sessions later this summer.