Questbridge: Opening Doors to Excellence

By Kadijah Olanipekun

In a world based on systemic inequality, specifically in education, it is common for minority students to lag behind their peers in their education. Due to lack of resources or insufficient guidance, these groups tend to find themselves lost and doubtful during the process of applying for colleges. However, programs like the well-renowned Questbridge have been made to help find a solution to that problem.

QuestBridge is a vital program that plays a crucial role in leveling the playing field for students from low-income backgrounds in the college admissions process. One of the main reasons why QuestBridge is important to students is its focus on providing access to top-tier colleges and universities that might otherwise be financially out of reach. Many of these universities offer excellent academic resources, networking opportunities, and career prospects, which can significantly impact students' future success.

Additionally, QuestBridge provides comprehensive support to students throughout the entire college application and admissions process. This support includes guidance on selecting the right colleges, navigating financial aid and scholarships, and preparing strong application materials. For students who may not have access to college counseling or resources at their high schools, QuestBridge’s mission is to ensure that talented students are not overlooked due to financial constraints.

Programs like Questbridge are highly valued and need to be more accessible in communities of people of color. “Around the world, 258 million, or 17 percent of the world’s children, adolescents and youth, are out of school. The proportion is much larger in developing countries: 31 per cent in sub-Saharan Africa and 21 per cent in Central Asia, vs. 3 per cent in Europe and North America.” (United Nations, 2020). Therefore, it is statistics like these that prove that the need for increased guidance for our marginalized youth is a necessity, and it is what will help create better futures for these kids in the long run.