Editor's Note: The QuestBridge National College Match helps outstanding low-income high school seniors gain admission and full four-year scholarships to some of the nation's most selective colleges. Princeton has been a proud QuestBridge partner for many years now and every year, we match with a small number of students through College Match. Hear from some of our current QuestBridge Scholars and their experiences with the match process and the University. - Kayla McDonald, Assistant Director of Admission

David Hwang '23

Major: Undecided

Email: jyhwang@princeton.edu

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Congratulations! It may be hard to believe, but as a QuestBridge Scholar, you are incredibly deserving, and you should honestly take a moment in this tumultuous and overwhelming time to breathe and commend yourself. I remember, just a year ago, that this time was filled with heaps of letters, brochures, notifications and forms that contributed to this sense of happy chaos. Thus,  I want to briefly share my experience at Princeton as a fellow QuestBridge Scholar, so that you can perhaps get a feel for what it is like here.

I was surprised by being matched with Princeton University. I remember seeing the acceptance rate and thinking to myself that it was a long shot—perhaps too long of a shot. During the commitment period, I was distraught between some amazing opportunities at other colleges, but ultimately, Princeton had my heart. To put it simply, all of the schools I was fortunately blessed to choose from offered great programs with bountiful opportunities and generous financial aid. However, the undergraduate-focused culture at Princeton and the unique and diverse student body, conjoined with the stunning campus convinced me to matriculate at Princeton. The difference is significant.

And I know that I have not made the wrong decision. Yes, school can get difficult at times, and it is a lot of work, but that is true no matter where you go! Many resources will be available to you, and it is ultimately up to you to capitalize on them. I personally have found some classes at Princeton to be challenging, but at the same time, it is rewarding to know that I have done my best and that the results reflect that. 

My advice for those scholars who matched with Princeton would be to simply cherish the present moment. Be honest with yourself, trust yourself and take it one day at a time!

Danielle Newton '20

Major: Chemistry 

Email: dnnewton@princeton.edu

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I would advise the newly matched QuestBridge students to pick a college that has a large and established community of FLI (first-generation and low-income) students so that you have other people who share a similar background. Schools that prioritize bringing FLI students to campus likely also prioritize their success once they are there. I remember how selecting a school among an impressive list is overwhelming and challenging, but I’m so thankful I ended up at Princeton, and I’d love to see you on campus too!

My first year at Princeton was more of a transition than I was expecting—I hadn’t heard of J.Crew, I thought squash was a vegetable and not a sport and I had never worn a pair of “Bean” boots. But before I even stepped on campus, I was welcomed by a community of FLI students and faculty through the Scholars Institute Fellows Program (SIFP). Throughout my first two years at Princeton, I met with a group of SIFP students each week to share and gather advice or stories through the guidance of an upperclassmen mentor. SIFP also provided me with so much support: everything from extra precepts for organic chemistry to rides to the nearby mall for Halloween costumes. I have also remained quite involved with QuestBridge throughout my four years at Princeton. I’ve been a National College Admissions Conference Group Leader, and I attended the QB25 Conference in San Francisco this summer. Additionally, I have also been a part of the Quest Scholars Network on campus.

With all of the support, guidance, companionship and mentorship I’ve received at Princeton as a FLI student, I haven’t felt that anything is off-limits. Princeton has awarded me generous financial aid for two summer study abroad programs and a summer senior thesis research grant. Joining an eating club, traveling abroad for the first time and much more were fully accessible to me.

Daniel Palleres '20

Major: Computer Science

E-mail: DanielPallares@princeton.edu

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When I started senior year of high school, I wasn’t even thinking about Princeton as an option for my undergraduate education. I didn’t think I could get in, and I knew my parents couldn’t afford it. My college and career counselor encouraged me to apply through QuestBridge, and I was left speechless when I got matched.

After visiting Princeton and several schools I was admitted to, I realized that Princeton was the best choice for me. The diversity in academic passions, the wealth of resources available to me as an undergraduate, and the support that the institution provides for first-generation and low-income students are unmatched.

Now that I’m in my final year, I have fully integrated into the University. I’m finishing my concentration in Computer Science at the School of Engineering & Applied Science, I’m president of the eating club Quadrangle and I have a job lined up for after graduation. I’m excited to come back to Princeton as an alumnus.

Marisela Neff  '20

Major: Chemistry 

Email: mneff@princeton.edu

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Being matched to Princeton through QuestBridge has truly been life changing for my family and me. Coming from a first-generation and low-income background, I was entirely convinced Princeton was not within reach. However, getting matched to Princeton has allowed me to take a step into a world of opportunities that I never could have imagined were available to me.

After visiting Princeton, I fell in love with the University’s focus on its undergrad students and its dedication to creating leaders who will change the world. I have been so grateful for resources like the Freshman Scholars Institute and Scholars Institute Fellows Program, which helped me adapt after high school and get introduced to all that the University has to offer. At Princeton, I’ve been able to travel the world, interning in India and Ecuador for two months while also visiting Peru, Chile, and Cuba through the Office of International Programs. I’ve participated in and lead a civic engagement trip on social-political issues that I am passionate about in Washington D.C. and Detroit, Michigan through the Pace Center for Civic Engagement. And finally, as a senior, I’m spending a lot of time working in an organic chemistry synthesis lab for my senior thesis. As a premedical student studying Chemistry with a certificate in Latin American Studies, Princeton has certainly been challenging. However, the support and opportunities available here are truly one of a kind.

Princeton students enjoy joking about the unique language of acronyms and slang that we have developed to communicate about different activities and aspects of life on campus. Whether you are chatting about your Zee group (advisory group), COS (computer science), or D3 (Draft 3 of the freshman writing seminar), for an outsider or anyone new to Princeton it is all quite confusing. 

When I first started Princeton, I was immediately taken by the notion of the “study break.” While the name itself is self-explanatory, the extent to which study breaks are such an integral part of Princeton culture took time to register. Study breaks are organized by clubs, groups and even classes. They represent the chance to put down your work and go eat, chat with friends or do something fun. I was dubious about this notion of “pre-organized,” seemingly artificial fun. If I wanted a break, I could just take a break, right? Why make the effort to go to the various different study breaks I was invited to each week?

After going to my first study break, I changed my mind. In an atmosphere in which everyone can be  busy with academics and activities outside the classroom, it’s great to have a culture that emphasizes taking a break. Once I embraced the idea of the study break, then I became overwhelmed by the sheer number of breaks offered – how was I supposed to choose? Once I came to see study breaks less as a break from studying and more as a social event, I relaxed and enjoyed the options.

One week, I helped to organize two study breaks. On one day, I helped host a wood-fired pizza study break as board member of the Center for Jewish Life. My responsibilities in the CJL during the semester have consisted of organizing weekly study breaks and it has been fun to get creative about what we can organize to help students relax, unwind and snack on delicious treats. Other study breaks have included make your own s’mores, waffles, fancy coffee and gelato. 

The other study break I organized was one through the vegan advocacy organization I am a part of. We served vegan hot chocolate, eggnog, muffins, donuts and more to help interested students learn about delicious vegan options. This study break was particularly enjoyable as it allowed me to both be involved with a cause I care about and share that passion with my community. 

Overall, I am grateful for the unique culture of study breaks at Princeton and know I will take the spirit of them with me wherever I go when I graduate. 

Dear Prospective Students:

Take a deep breath. I know that college application season can be a stressful time.  I’m actually going through the same process⁠—law school⁠—so I feel your pain. 

You’ll end up where you’re meant to be. You’ll be happy. You’ll be successful. Everything’s going to be okay. These are phrases we hear all the time during the application season. We hear them so often that we don’t end up paying enough attention to them. Looking back on my undergraduate applications, I’m realizing that everyone was right. You shouldn’t take it personally; your application is a very small representation of who you are, and the admission decision is not a reflection of you.

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That being said, it’s difficult to actually internalize such an ideology. There’s no trick to surviving the application season. There’s no trick to being the perfect applicant. All you can do is your best, and after that, it’s a waiting game. What I can tell you is that you should enjoy your senior year as much as possible. Next year, your slate will be wiped clean and you’ll be left to find your own path, most likely without the help of the people you’ve grown up so close to. College is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced, and that’s both scary and exciting!

Take the time to appreciate the little things. The homecooked meals, the familiar hallways of your high school or the ability to go home after a long day. Appreciate the same faces you see, day after day. Take time to be thankful for the neighborhood you grew up in, your siblings who may annoy you at times, your pet that you love more than anything in this world. The distance that comes with most college experiences tends to complicate these things.

But at the same time, look forward to meeting new people, getting to know a new place or making new friends. Look forward to becoming more independent, discovering new interests and exploring a side of academia you’ve never experienced before. Application season is so, so stressful, but it’s also momentous; the decision you make will affect you for the rest of your life! So no pressure…

Take a deep breath, and good luck.

One of the aspects of Princeton that surprises most people when I am talking about the University is its size. With fewer than 6,000 undergraduates, Princeton is a relatively small school compared to its peer institutions. But it is precisely this size that enables the University to focus on the undergraduate experience. If you spend enough time around here or even just take a tour, the University’s “undergraduate focus” is sure to come up, and rightly so; it is a significant part of what makes Princeton the school that it is.

Princeton’s size allows for a more intentional focus of resources on the undergraduate students. Upon matriculation, each student is assigned to a residential college (their home for the first two years), a residential college adviser, a peer academic adviser and a residential graduate student. Students are also made aware of dozens of other resources, including group and individualized tutoring, Counseling and Psychological Services and dozens of other centers or offices that focus primarily on supporting undergraduate students. As students work their way through Princeton and begin the quintessential independent work their junior and senior years, everyone either is assigned or chooses a departmental adviser who meets and works with them to see their work from start to finish. This alone is an incredible aspect of Princeton—to develop robust research alongside a Princeton professor!

Another benefit to the number of students is the sense of community that exists between current students and the alumni. This creates a sort of bonding effect that connects Princetonians across the years. I know that sounds like a typical admission phrase; even I was skeptical when I first arrived here. But I must say that is one of the more special parts of going to school here: the people you meet and the community you are encouraged to build.

With that being said, it is important to note that a small campus is not for every student. The University is set up next to, but a bit separated from, the town of Princeton. Most of Princeton’s buildings are on the main part of campus, making a walk from one end of campus to the other an average of twenty minutes or so. After classes, many students are engaged in extracurriculars, studying or socializing. Most of the performance shows, eating clubs or dining halls are either on campus or immediately adjacent. Overall, you can see why the phrase “Orange Bubble” exists; time can slip by easily without stepping foot off campus. And with Princeton’s size, it is easy to meet someone new every day, but it is simultaneously easy to get settled in a routine where you interact with the same people and see the same faces each day. Having a relatively small, communal campus in a non-urban setting has a lot of benefits, but it also has its drawbacks if you aren’t careful or intentional about getting off campus or interacting with non-college aged students. But regardless of the pros and cons, it is not for everyone. Some people thrive better in smaller environments than Princeton, others in larger. As with any university or anything in life, it’s all about balance and finding out what works for you.

Princeton offers a variety of different seminars that travel abroad during the fall break and spring break. I recently got the opportunity to travel to Russia for an urban studies seminar called “Moscow on the Hudson”. It was an enriching experience filled with daily walking tours around the city, discussions about famous landmarks and an understanding of the rich history behind Moscow.

During class we read literary and cultural texts pertaining to urban studies in order to understand the physical construct of both New York City and Moscow. We focused on a specific topic every week, all the way from religious institutions to public housing. We first traveled to New York City and visited different parks which we later analyzed during our in-class discussions.

In preparation for the trip to Moscow, I purchased a travel guide and made sure to pack my winter jackets for the cold weather. Once we arrived, we settled in and got ready for a week of intensive walking tours. We got to visit a cemetery where important literary and political figures were buried, The Cathedral of Christ the Savior (which was formerly a giant swimming pool), Zaryadye Park (a modern park that opened in 2017) and other fascinating sites.

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Surprisingly, the highlight of the trip was riding the metro. Moscow’s metro shines in comparison to New York City’s sometimes unpredictable subway system. It is easier to navigate, cleaner and each station is embellished with beautiful architecture which makes the metro a tourist attraction itself. Each station is different from the rest, so you never get bored by the changing underground scenery.

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In between the walking tours and later at night, we got to indulge on different cuisines. I must admit, I was not a fan of Russian food, since the options are limited for vegetarians like me. I did enjoy drinking tea and experiencing a new food culture. My favorite international cuisine was definitely Georgian food. Our first and last dinner on the trip was, in fact, at a Georgian restaurant, and I simply couldn’t get enough of it.

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Reflecting back on this trip, the major takeaway was my increased understanding on how Moscow came to be and a new lens with which I will approach cities I visit in the future. I visited sites and locations that I would have never considered going to if I were traveling by myself, learned how different groups of people inhabit the same space and started to think about the challenges faced by most modern cities, such as economic inequality.

This experience has been one of the highlights of my undergraduate career, and it wouldn’t have been possible without Princeton’s generous funding. I am also grateful to both of my professors for their active engagement and planning throughout the trip!

Before coming to Princeton, I didn’t really know what entrepreneurship was. Surprisingly, the first club that reached out to me during the first-year activities fair was the Entrepreneurship Club. Since then I have discovered a passion for the field and have participated in many entrepreneurial opportunities offered by the University. 

I have been able to learn about entrepreneurship through the courses offered by the Keller Center. In a course called “Creativity, Innovation and Design,” I was able to propose a solution to a major problem affecting college students: time management. My group and I thought of implementing meditation breaks during lectures in order to help with concentration. Another great course is “Foundations of Entrepreneurship,” in which we have weekly guest lectures from leaders in the field. The founder and CEO of Giphy recently came to the class and it was incredible to learn how he began his own venture.

Outside of the classroom, the Keller Center offers opportunities during the summer. I got to travel to Tel Aviv as a marketing intern at a high-tech startup. Believe it or not, I was able to use my liberal arts education to write blog posts and redesign the startup’s website. I lived with a cohort of 20 Princeton students and learned a lot about the Israeli startup culture. What’s amazing is that this summer internship was fully funded by the University!

Other opportunities made available by Princeton was the Tigers Entrepreneurs Conference 2019 in San Francisco. It was an unbelievable experience because I was able to meet with alumni who founded their own startups, as well as visit companies like Google and Salesforce.

I am incredibly grateful to Princeton for letting me discover my passion for entrepreneurship and giving me the tools and skills necessary to pursue the field after I graduate. My message to prospective students is that, while Princeton is known for its liberal arts education, it also excels in entrepreneurship! If you are creative, have innovative ideas, or want to change the world, entrepreneurship might also be for you! 

Coming to Princeton I was scared to choose a concentration. Taking a look at the academic offerings can be overwhelming, as Princeton offers 37 different concentrations (our word for “major”) and 55 certificate programs, all under two degree programs, Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) or the Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.). 

What makes Princeton unique is its flexibility in allowing you to take courses in a variety of academic fields. In fact, you do not have to declare your major until the spring semester of sophomore year, if you are an A.B. student, which gives students plenty of time to decide. I initially thought about becoming a math concentrator but discovered I really liked the history classes offered at Princeton so I decided to switch. I know this decision is never easy, so I compiled a guide to help you in your process of selecting a concentration:

1) Reflect on your high school experience

One great way to start discovering what you like is looking back at your four years of high school. What classes and extracurriculars did you enjoy? I have several friends who always knew they wanted to study engineering because they liked math and other quantitative subjects. At the same time, you should know what you don’t like. I didn’t enjoy taking chemistry in high school and I was not a fan of reading fiction. 

2) Consider your career goals

What do you want to do after graduation? Do you want to become a lawyer, doctor or a historian? The options are endless! Having your career goals in mind is important when selecting your classes. For instance, if you want to attend medical school, you have to fulfill the pre-med requirements. Do note that your concentration does not need to be related to your future job. For example, I have a friend who studied engineering and now works for a non-profit. 

3) Take classes in different fields 

From urban studies to molecular biology, Princeton offers classes in almost all the subjects you can think of. You have to be open to taking classes outside your comfort zone because you never know if you are going to discover a new interest. For example, I took “History of The World” to fulfill the history distribution requirement and liked it so much that I decided to join the department. 

4) Reconsider your interests

Did you know that more than half of students change their concentration at least once during their four years at Princeton? So odds are that you might not stick with your intended field of study and that is ok. You just have to be open to learning from new experiences and understand that your interests might change as you become older. Discover what you like and what you don’t like, and enjoy the process. Once you join your respective department, you will have the satisfaction of knowing that this is what you really want to study.

As the deadline for early action applications to Princeton looms closer and closer, I’m constantly reminded of my own path to Princeton and the process it took for me to get here. I remember how stressful the college application process was, with everyone asking, “Where are you applying?” and, “What’s your first choice?” It’s easy to get overwhelmed by these questions, especially if you’re not quite sure of how to respond.

The process of making your list of schools to apply to is tough. I remember I didn’t understand why it was so hard when I was young; why couldn’t students just apply to every single school in the country? That way they’d surely get in somewhere. I didn’t realize that each application came with an application fee, not to mention the fact that the Common Application limits the number of schools you can apply to through their platform. (If the application fee is a hardship for your family – you can check with the school to see if fee waivers are available.) Upon learning this, I started to understand why so many students have a hard time crafting their list.

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So, how do you go about making “The List”? What should you keep in mind when looking at schools? Below is a survival guide to college applications.

1. Location. Location is key. Many high school students can’t wait to graduate and go to a university far away from home, but here’s a pro tip: everyone gets homesick at some point or another. Maybe you miss your parents, siblings or pet. Maybe you miss sleeping in your own familiar bed. Maybe you miss that small-town feel. Whatever the reason, it’s very hard to go home for the weekend if you live far away. When I was looking at schools, my parents insisted on a “no-fly zone,” meaning the schools I chose had to be within driving distance from home. At first, I thought this was a huge limitation; then I realized that, since I lived in New York, I had so many colleges within driving distance from me!
2. Campus feel. When I was looking at colleges, I remember that the way a campus was structured was really important to me. I wanted a campus that felt like a campus. For that reason, a lot of city schools didn’t make it to my list. One aspect of Princeton that I love is that it has a physical gate that clearly signifies where the campus is. This solid campus structure makes the school feel homier to me, which was important. If you’re a person who loves cities and being immersed in them, try adding more city schools to your list!
3. Money. Money can be a sore subject that not a lot of people like to talk about. Nevertheless, the reality is that money is a huge factor when students apply to college. There are many different ways to go about this. In-state tuition versus out-of-state tuition can make a huge difference at some schools. At others, the financial aid program is what attracts students. When I made my list of schools to apply to, I made sure to keep all of this in mind before choosing universities. Princeton's generous financial aid program made college possible for me, as the program is need-based and is committed to meeting 100% of a family’s demonstrated need. Princeton also reevaluates your family's financial situation every year in order to account for any changes, making it extremely flexible!
4. Academics. Of course! We can’t forget the actual reason why you go to college! The academic opportunities at a university will likely be a deciding factor during your application process. Part of what attracted me to Princeton was its academic rigor which, in turn, opens doors to countless internship and career opportunities.
5. Alumni network. When you apply to a school, you have to also keep in mind your plans for after college. A strong alumni network goes a long way when it comes time to look for work, internships, fellowships, graduate programs, etc.  In fact, over 26,000 alumni volunteers work with the University in various capacities including providing opportunities and advice to students and young alumni interested in internships and careers.

I hope that these tips will be helpful to you during your college application process. However, you should also keep in mind that you’re going to end up where you’re supposed to be. The admission process doesn’t always work out the way you expect it to, and the stress of the “What-ifs” is exhausting and simply awful. Try not to feed into the frenzy of college applications; if you focus on keeping your own process under control, you’ll be much happier in the end!

My parents always encouraged me to go to college. Not only was I encouraged, but I was expected to pursue higher education. Not in a “We’re forcing you to go to college” way, but more of a “College helps you succeed and you will be successful” way. Nevertheless, I quickly realized that my current and future situation wasn’t like that of my friends.

My path to college was a little different. My parents didn’t go to college. My dad didn’t finish high school. My parents moved to America from Spain when they were 20 years old, not knowing a word of English and without a cent in their pockets. Sure, Princeton is the number one school in the country, and it’s part of the prestigious Ivy League, but there isn’t one specific way to make it here.

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Many students at my high school would say that they were not applying to any Ivy League schools because of how expensive they are. My parents had heard the same thing, but they still encouraged me to apply; they said that college is important, and that, somehow, they would find the money. One of my mother’s colleagues had a son who went to Princeton, and she told my mom about Princeton’s incredible financial aid program. Suddenly, Princeton seemed that much more attainable.

My family and I visited Princeton for the first time during my sophomore year of high school and attended an information session about financial aid. There, we learned that aid packages rely on grants, not loans. This means that 82% of students graduate from Princeton debt-free. We also learned that Princeton has a need-blind admission policy, which means that financial need is not taken into consideration when making admission decisions. There’s even a financial aid online estimator, which allows you to input your financial information to see an estimate of how much your family would have to pay to attend Princeton. We were so excited; I have a twin sister, which meant that my family would be paying two college tuitions at the same time. Princeton’s financial aid would help make that possible.

When I was admitted to Princeton in December of 2015, I committed that same day. Some of my friends waited a few weeks after their admission to a bunch of schools so that they could compare the financial aid package received from each school, but I knew I wouldn’t get anything better than what Princeton was offering me. The financial aid office made itself so available to my family for any questions we had during the application and matriculation processes; since my parents had never done this before, we had many questions! Princeton’s financial aid made Princeton possible for me, and I’m eternally grateful.

If you ask anyone on Princeton’s campus what the most daunting Princeton experience is, they’ll probably tell you it’s the senior thesis. Some students look forward to it, others dread it. Once spring rolls around and those thesis deadlines start creeping closer and closer, you start seeing fewer seniors on campus, as many of them are locked away in their rooms or in the library, trying their best to meet their deadlines. No matter the opinion, the thesis ends up getting done, somehow.

Despite it being a shared experience among Princeton seniors, the senior thesis seems like a far-away concept that is often hard to understand as a non-senior. During my junior year, my department⁠—the Woodrow Wilson School⁠ of Public and International Affairs—hosted a few information sessions about the upcoming thesis, but I remember leaving the meetings wholly unsatisfied and with lingering questions. How was I supposed to fit all that research into a couple of months?

Finally, I went to an information session about funding for thesis research. There, I learned that students in the Woodrow Wilson School have the opportunity to receive funding for their thesis research after filling out an extensive application. Among other things, the application includes a description of your thesis project and research, as well as an itemized list of your anticipated expenses.

At first, I was worried because there were so many students at that information session. How would there be enough funding for everybody? However, after speaking with seniors at the time, I quickly learned that most students do not start their research until they get back on campus. With this in mind, I submitted an application and was excited to learn that I had gotten the money I asked for!

Thanks to the Woodrow Wilson School and its funding program, I was able to complete my senior thesis research in Norway during the summer. The purpose of my trip was to visit Halden Prison, a maximum-security men’s prison in southern Norway, in order to learn about the Norwegian prison system and compare it to the American prison system. While there, I spent a day with the warden, learning about the culture of the prison and touring the entire facility. I also spent a day interviewing guards and incarcerated individuals.

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Of course, my trip wasn’t only educational! I also found time to get away and do three incredible hikes⁠—Preikestolen, Kjeragbolten, and Trolltunga⁠—and eat amazing food.

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My time in Norway was extremely valuable, and I am excited to continue my thesis research on campus!