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. Information about the Early Decision option is sent to eligible students in December.
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 essay for the Penn-specific essay or Penn supplement. 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 not require applicants to submit the SAT or ACT for the 2023-24 application cycle. This applies to both first-year and transfer applicants. If you decide not to submit SAT or ACT scores you will not be at a disadvantage in the admissions process. Students who can take the SAT, ACT, and/or SAT Subject Tests and wish to report them may continue with that plan.
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
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. The “Penn Supplement” includes several short answer prompts and essays and asks you to identify which undergraduate school or program you are interested in.
Your Application Fee is Waived
If you don’t want to use your QuestBridge application, you can apply to Penn through the Common App or the Coalition Application. You’re also eligible for a fee waiver. While filling out either application, you will be asked if you are a QuestBridge applicant and then prompted to enter your 9-digit QuestBridge ID number in order to waive the application 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.
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.
Your Application Fee is Waived
If you don’t want to use your QuestBridge Application for the Early or Regular Decision process, you will also be eligible for a fee waiver to apply through Common App or the Coalition Application. While filling out either application, you will be asked if you are a QuestBridge applicant and then prompted to enter your 9-digit QuestBridge ID number to waive the 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.
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.
Your Application Fee is Waived
If you don’t want to use your QuestBridge Application for the Early or Regular Decision process, you will also be eligible for a fee waiver to apply through Common App or the Coalition Application. While filling out either application, you will be asked if you are a QuestBridge applicant and then prompted to enter your 9-digit QuestBridge ID number to waive the 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.