Published On: August 13th, 2015By Leticia Fehling

3 Victory Early College High School Juniors Selected as QuestBridge College Prep Scholars

Top-tier universities like Stanford and Yale have a major interest in CP Scholars.

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Alessandra Urbina, Richard Paredes and Melissa Stewart (l-r) are among the 2,828 selected across the nation as Scholars. The students attended the National College Admissions Conference at Stanford.

[dropcap color=”#888″ type=”square”]A[/dropcap]ldine ISD students Richard Paredes, Melissa Stewart and Alessandra Urbina had a busy summer. The trio from Victory Early College High School had an opportunity to meet representatives from elite universities. This has given the students an advantage as they enter their senior year this fall to form part of the Class of 2016.

[icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]QuestBridge selected the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Victory ECHS students as [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]College Prep Scholars. This is one of the resources the organization offers. QuestBridge works to support academically talented, underrepresented students. The nonprofit is leveling the playing field for low-income students. QuestBridge seeks to increase the number of [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]low-income students attending the nation’s best universities.

Did You Know?

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Abundant low-income talent exists. Each year, approximately 30,000 low-income students score over 1300 on the SAT. And another 42,000 score over 1200. Moreover, over a third of top low-income performers don’t take the SAT. [/li] [li]More than 80 percent of top low-income students in America don’t apply to top colleges who want them. In one study, only 3 percent of low-income students attend the nation’s top 146 colleges and universities.[/li][/ul]

More than 8,750 juniors across the nation applied. Of these applicants, QuestBridge selected only 32 percent as 2015 College Prep Scholars. The median income of these scholars’ households is $31,543. Approximately 82 percent qualify for free or reduced-price meals. The average GPA is 3.89 and the middle 50 percent received between 28-32 on the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]ACT and 1820-2090 on the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]SAT.

QuestBridge selected the students based on their College Prep Scholarship application. Applicants also submitted recommendations from high school teachers and counselors.

Benefits of the Program

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Admission to one of QuestBridge’s National College Admissions Conferences. They also have the opportunity to engage with current Quest Scholars.[/li]

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College Prep Scholars at the summer 2015 conference at Stanford. Scholars from across the country attended one of three conferences.

[li]Full Scholarships to summer programs at Stanford, Yale and other partner colleges. And priority consideration for all expenses paid college visits to QuestBridge partner colleges.[/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Personalized essay coaching and feedback for college application essays.[/li] [li]Opportunity to apply for telementoring with Amherst College students.[/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Priority help from QuestBridge to strengthen every Scholar’s National College Match application.[/li][/ul]

The conference offers students the opportunity to speak to partner college admission officers. Students also learn how to strengthen their college applications and admission essays. They also learn how admission officers review applications. Top-tier universities also inform Scholars about their financial aid packages. Many of these can cover the full cost of college.

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Representative from Trinity College informs Scholars he is looking for quality over quantity when it comes to extracurriculars.

The QuestBridge application process is like regular college applications. Applicants must submit essays and short answers. But the questions are somewhat more tailored to experiences of low-income students. For example, the application might ask students what obstacles they have overcome.

The Victory Early College High School CP Scholars attended the conference held at Stanford University in June. Alessandra found the experience educational and has newfound confidence to reach her full potential.

“I gained confidence in becoming a competitive applicant,” said Alessandra. “I now have a clear understanding that colleges seek students like me. They want students who overachieve academically in the face of economic hardships. And I realize that I have the capability to succeed at a top university. I am determined to excel and reach my full potential.“

QuestBridge Has 36 [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Partner Colleges … They include Columbia University, Dartmouth College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Northwestern University, Princeton University, Rice University, Stanford University, University of Notre Dame, Vassar College, Wellesley College, Wesleyan University & Yale University

Richard appreciates everything QuestBridge provides Scholars. He feels the resources allow Scholars to dream big. They now have an edge in being able to afford college.

“The benefits of the program are incredible,” Richard said. “Being a Scholar is a wonderful honor. QuestBridge’s program, scholarships, and network are giving students the opportunity to attend their prestigious dream schools.“

QuestBridge encourages College Prep Scholars to apply for the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]National Match Scholarship. The program helps students find full four-year scholarships. In 2014, more than 11,650 students across the country applied. Of that number, only 36 percent of the applicants became finalists. College Match finalists typically come from households earning less than $60,000 annually for a family of four. The deadline to submit an application is late September during the students’ senior year. Melissa is not passing this chance up. She is submitting her application (deadline is Sept. 28, 2015). Melissa hopes to be a QuestBridge College Match recipient like Sharon López from the Class of 2015 at Aldine High School. Sharon is headed to the University of Chicago.

“Scholars have a head start on their National College Match application,” said Stewart. “This gives us an opportunity to receive a scholarship to one of QuestBridge’s 36 partner colleges. That is incredible.

A representative from Vanderbilt University talks to CP Scholar parents about applying to QuestBridge Partner Colleges.

“This experience has been pretty motivating. QuestBridge selected students that have demonstrated potential to succeed. It is an honor to be among this group. The recognition alone distinguishes me from other applicants. But more importantly, being a QuestBridge Scholar has given me an early edge in the college admissions process. The resources QuestBridge provides students are extremely helpful in developing strong college applicants.“

Victory Early College High School has a poverty percentage of more than 75 percent (TEA data from 2015). The campus blends high school and college level courses. This gives students an opportunity to earn a high school diploma while obtaining up to two years of college credit. Students don’t pay college tuition. The college-level courses are free. According to Angella Ford, 100 percent of VECHS students graduate from the campus. She added that on average, 87 percent of the VECHS students earn their associate of arts degree. Ford serves as the college connections counselor at the campus.

“Our students are dedicated and work extremely hard to reach their full potential,” said Ford.

Dr. Phyllis Cormier is proud of the QuestBridge Scholars. She serves as principal at the campus.

“Many of our students don’t come from rich families or neighborhoods,” said Cormier. “But they are taking advantage of the opportunities we offer them. And they work hard. Their goal is to attend college and achieve their dreams. There are two sayings that go ‘Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you react to it.’ And ‘You get as much out of life as you put into it.’ I think our students at Victory are doing just that. Our students have chosen to create a brighter future for themselves.“