Nail the Questbridge College Prep Scholars Essays

By Quetzal Mama • March 17, 2020

With the COVID-19 social distancing mandate, I’m using this time to help students successfully apply to national competitive programs. Today, I’m focused on the Questbridge College Prep Scholars Program. Below, you’ll find a snapshot of tips and hacks to help you nail the short and long essays. Enjoy these tips:

Question #1: Tell us about a concept, theory, or topic you have explored simply because it sparked your intellectual curiosity. Why do you find it intriguing? How do you want to explore it further? (200 words)

Tip – This should be aligned with your future (intended) major. For example, if your future major is Neurobiology, then it’s ideal to speak about neurobiology. Similarly, if your intended major is Psychology, select a theory or concept in Psychology and discuss how it sparked your curiosity. Here’s an example:

During our Advanced Placement (AP) Psychology module on Social Psychology, I was intrigued with the concepts of bias, prejudice, and discrimination. As a future Psychology major, this particular concept was especially fascinating. To learn more about Social Psychology, this past summer I enrolled in Psychology 120 (Social Psychology) at Palomar College. In this course I was able to explore this discipline in depth and conduct research about the theory of Stereotype Threat. Moreover, I read the book, “Whistling Vivaldi: How Stereotypes Affect Us and What We Can Do” by Dr. Claude Steele. As a first-generation, woman of color (Latina), this theory sparked my interest regarding the ways marginalized students are impacted by Stereotype Threat in high stakes academic situations. For example, this threat is aligned with the performance of Latinx and African American students taking SAT or ACT exams. This phenomenon threatens the way marginalized students evaluate themselves, which negatively alters our academic identity (and subsequently, our academic performance). Furthermore, theories such as Stereotype Threat can help us explore more complex attributions to student’s performance. Phenomenon like Stereotype Threat has inspired me and solidified my desire to pursue Psychology as a future undergraduate. (193 words)

Key Points – To nail this short essay, you should focus on the following:

The structure. Introduce your topic briefly (approximately 25 words maximum). Provide a reasonable transition that logically flows into your thesis. Your thesis is simply your answer to their question. Use at least 150 words to elaborate and provide “proof” for your thesis. Use the last 25 words to close out with a conclusion. Do your best to use all 200 words.

The topic. Remember, this short essay is focused on intellectual curiosity. That means, focus on an academic topic. Don’t “dumb down” your language when discussing a theory or concept.

The tone. Your goal is to convey authentic interest and engagement in the subject matter. Use compelling language without going overboard. For example, most students wouldn’t legitimately gush about linear algebra.

The proof. Don’t just tell, you need to show. Provide meaningful examples to exemplify your interest. It’s helpful to link the topic to your intended major. This makes logical sense, and it allows you to provide examples from Honors or AP/IB coursework, workshops, lectures, summer research, on-campus clubs, online courses, community college courses, or internships.

Question #2: Describe an experience that caused you to change your perspective and/or opinion. (200 words)

Tip – The experience should be significant enough to warrant a change in your perspective. For example, saying that you read a quote on a bumper sticker wouldn’t reasonably result in a change of your opinion or perspective. Your perspective can be on any significant topic or ideology. Some examples might include the following. Note, this is NOT an exhaustive list:

Political affiliation (immigrants rights, women’s rights, global climate, etc.)
Mental Health (depression, suicide rates, anxiety, etc.)
Access to 4-year Colleges
Health Issues
Gender Issues
Socioeconomic Issues
Race, Ethnicity, or Culture
Sexual Orientation

Key Points – To nail this short essay, you should focus on the following:

Convey Impact. The goal is not to simply declare that something caused you to change your perspective. You must provide reasonable and logical “proof” to explain how your changed opinion or perspective impacted you. In other words, what was the outcome of your new perspective? Did it cause you to join a group? Lead a movement? Change your lifestyle? Confirm you future major?

Convey Intellectual Depth. Focus on a topic that conveys critical analysis, introspection, and reflection. How did you arrive at your new perspective? Describe the mental process you engaged in, and how you eventually arrived at your new position or perspective.

Link to Scholarly Pursuits or Future Career Plans. If this experience shifted or solidified your intended college major, tell them. As well, did this new perspective compel you to consider a future career? Remember, this is a “College Prep” program, so stay within the overall theme.

Question #3: What do you admire most about your community? What would you improve? (200 words)

Tip – Your community can be virtually any type of community. Examples may include your high school community, faith community, regional community, STEM community, immigrant rights community, fine arts community, or a group you belong (e.g. Native American community). Note: While belonging to a sports community is a thing, remember to respond within the context of a “college prep” program.

Key Points – To nail this short essay, you should focus on the following:

· Utilize my “Magical Power of 3” strategy outlined in my college essay-writing books to describe what you admire.

· There are two parts to this question. Allow adequate word count to include a mini introduction, respond to both questions, and a brief conclusion.

· Identify positive characteristics to describe why you admire this community. For example, resilience, collaboration, unity, integrity, or other core principles.

· Explain why you admire these traits or qualities. What is it about this community’s particular qualities that makes you admire them?

· When describing what you would change or improve, make sure you avoid labeling or blaming the community by referring to negative stereotypes or myths. For example, stating that Latinx students should just work harder or adapt new cultural norms to be successful in academics is a harmful proposition. Stay away from simplistic ideas. Convey critical thinking skills and language by doing your research on your topic.

The Main Essay!

We are interested in learning more about you and the context in which you have grown up, formed your aspirations, and accomplished your academic successes. Please describe the factors and challenges that have most shaped your personal life and aspirations. How have these factors helped you to grow? (650 words)

Tip – This essay, compared to the short response essays, will provide the Questbridge folks with insight into your formal composition abilities. Remember, strong writing skills are aligned with college success. Make sure this formal essay has a clearly structured introduction, thesis, supporting paragraphs, and a conclusion.

Key Points – To nail this short essay, you should focus on the following:

You can’t pick and choose! You must respond to all four (4) subtopics in this prompt. Respond in the order in which they are listed.

Begin with describing the context "in which you have grown up." This context could include your family background, immigrant status, culture, etc.

Don’t underestimate the fact that Questbridge programs are geared exclusively for low-income students. That means you should place particular emphasis on how your family’s socioeconomic status impacted you. The impact may be academically (did you attend a low-performing school or a Title 1 campus?); health-wise (did your family lack healthcare benefits?); residence (apartment rental, sharing home with other families?), or regarding college preparation (lack of tutors, lack of AP courses, lack of test prep programs, etc.). These are just examples.

Make sure to list succinct factors, and then focus on providing details related to these factors. For example, if attending a low-performing school was a significant factor, elaborate on that topic and provide concrete details on how that factor impacted your performance and/or aspirations.

They are assuming the factors you listed are indeed aligned with your academic pursuits, personal life, and aspirations.

“Aspirations” may include academic, career, community service, or civic-minded goals. Make sure to include both short-term and long-term goals. Utilize persuasive language that indicates you have a solid plan and the means to actualize this plan.

Most importantly, listing challenging factors or obstacles is not enough. End your essay with describing how these factors positively influenced and impacted your goals. If you need examples, see my infographic on how to “flip” a negative to a positive.

“Helping you grow” can refer to intellectual or psychological growth. It can be represented by a new mindset, perspective, or attitude.

Bottom line, they are looking for candidates who have experienced adversity but have come out #winning.

Good luck! Dr. Ocampo