QuestBridge
QuestBridge is a platform that connects the nation's brightest students from low-income backgrounds with leading institutions of higher education. Through QuestBridge, you can be matched with a participating school to receive full four-year scholarships to cover your cost of attendance.
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. The application opens in the late Summer and is due at the end of September.
We encourage you to visit the QuestBridge website to learn more about how the National College Match works and the timeline to apply.
Even if you decide to not participate in the matching process, or are not chosen as a finalist, your QuestBridge application can automatically convert into a Regular Decision application to Penn.
We know the QuestBridge process can be a bit confusing for applicants, so we created a handy flowchart to help you!
How Does Matching Through QuestBridge Work?
QuestBridge Finalists Ranking Penn
If you…
- Are a QuestBridge Finalist
- Are participating in the National College Match
- Ranked Penn among your College/University preferences…
Please review the application requirements for QuestBridge Finalists Ranking Penn. There are several steps to take to ensure you are eligible for the National College Match at Penn and to complete your application.
Please note that if you decide to rank Penn and don’t match with any partner school, your application will automatically roll into Penn’s Regular Decision pool. You also have the option to apply through Early Decision.
Application Materials
Please note, application fees are waived for all QuestBridge Applicants.
To learn more about all materials and financial aid documents you will need to submit, please review the full list of QuestBridge Match Requirements.
Learn more about Penn’s National College Match Scholarship Package.
- Your Penn Supplement includes three short answer prompts and asks you to identify which undergraduate school or program you are interested in.
- If applying with your QuestBridge application, the Penn Supplement will be available through the Penn Applicant Portal. You will receive log in instructions for how to access the Penn Applicant Portal once your QuestBridge application has been forwarded to Penn.
- If applying using Common App or the Coalition Application, you should select Regular Decision when submitting your application. You may reuse essays from your QuestBridge Application for the Common App or the Coalition Application personal statement.
- Please write an original response for the Penn-specific short answer prompts. Learn more about preparing your essays and short answer prompt responses.
- If an official transcript was submitted through QuestBridge, it will be accepted. If an unofficial transcript was submitted, please ask your school counselor or registrar to submit your official transcript directly to Penn.
- We will use the School Report that your school submitted to QuestBridge. You do not have to submit this form again.
- We encourage you to learn more about high school preparation.
- We will use the letters of recommendation from your school counselor and teachers that are submitted to QuestBridge. You do not need to submit these again.
- Learn more about requesting letters of recommendation.
Penn will require applicants to submit the SAT or ACT for the 2025-26 application cycle. Applicants who face hardship in meeting this requirement can submit a waiver instead.
Learn more about our testing policy and guidelines.
Alumni conversations are offered virtually and based on availability from mid-October through early December. After you submit your application, keep an eye on your email for an invitation to interview with an alum. You are not required to have this conversation, but it can be a great opportunity to learn more about you, and for you to learn more about Penn!
Learn more about preparing for an alumni conversation.
QuestBridge Finalists Not Ranking Penn
If you:
- Are a QuestBridge Finalist
- Are participating in the National College match, but have chosen not to rank Penn as one of your ranked schools
Consider Applying Regular Decision
You can still apply as a Regular Decision applicant to Penn by January 5. However, if you receive a binding match from one of your ranked schools, please withdraw your application to Penn.
If you would like to apply to Penn using your QuestBridge application, please request to forward your application to Penn using the Regular Decision Form provided by QuestBridge.
Fill out the Penn Supplement
If you choose to use your QuestBridge application to apply to Penn, you will also need to 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 choose to use the Common App or Coalition Application, you will need to submit the "Penn Supplement" through that application platform. The "Penn Supplement" includes several short answer prompts and asks you to identify the undergraduate school or program to which you are applying.
Your Application Fee is Waived
If you use your QuestBridge application to apply to Penn, your application fee will automatically be waived. If you use the Common App or Coalition application, you are also eligible for a fee waiver. You will be asked if you are a QuestBridge applicant as part of the application and then prompted to enter your 9-digit QuestBridge ID number, which will waive your fee.
QuestBridge Finalists Not Participating in National College Match
If you:
- Are a QuestBridge Finalist
- Are not participating in the National College match
Consider Applying Early Decision
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 policy 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 can also apply using the Common App or Coalition Application.
Consider Applying Regular Decision
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. You can also apply using the Common App or Coalition Application.
Your Application Fee is Waived
If you use your QuestBridge application to apply to Penn, your application fee will automatically be waived. If you use the Common App or Coalition application, you are also eligible for a fee waiver. You will be asked if you are a QuestBridge applicant as part of the application and then prompted to enter your 9-digit QuestBridge ID number, which will waive your fee.
Check Your Penn Applicant Portal
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.
QuestBridge Non-Finalists
If you:
- Submitted a QuestBridge Application
- And were not selected by QuestBridge as a finalist
Consider Applying Early Decision
If Penn is your top choice, please consider applying to Penn through the Early Decision program.
Please note: Penn’s policy 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 can also apply using the Common App or Coalition Application.
Consider Applying Regular Decision
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. You can also apply using the Common App or Coalition Application.
Your Application Fee is Waived
If you use your QuestBridge application to apply to Penn, your application fee will automatically be waived. If you use the Common App or Coalition application, you are also eligible for a fee waiver. You will be asked if you are a QuestBridge applicant as part of the application and then prompted to enter your 9-digit QuestBridge ID number, which will waive your fee.
Check Your Penn Applicant Portal
All non-finalists will receive an email from Penn with instructions on how to access the Penn Applicant Portal shortly after finalist decisions are announced by QuestBridge in October.