QuestBridge Helps Students Feel at Home
Before learning about QuestBridge, Jorge Salinas 26 had never imagined he could attend a prestigious college like ϰٿ.
A lot of times, we just assume, Oh, I wont be able to afford it, he says. I know that was what I thought.
But as a high school senior, Salinas learned about QuestBridge, a nonprofit organization that connects exceptional low-income students with leading colleges nationwide. The QuestBridge National Match Scholarship helps qualified students achieve admission with full scholarships or generous financial aid from partner colleges, including many of the nation best schools. ϰٿ, a QB partner since 2010, offers a full scholarship to QuestBridge scholars.
Salinas grew up in McAllen, Texas, near the Rio Grande River. He calls it the true south of Texas, four hours south of San Antonio. With encouragement from his uncle, Salinas applied to QuestBridge and was matched with ϰٿ.
It been great, he says. He appreciates the opportunities QuestBridge and ϰٿ have made possible. Theye the only reason Im here, and it something Im really grateful for, Salinas says.
But QuestBridge isnt just about admission and financial aid it also a student organization that helps students have fun, find their community, and feel at home on campus. The ϰٿ chapter of the QuestBridge Scholars Network provides a supportive community for first-generation and low-income students to flourish academically, socially, and emotionally through leadership, volunteer, and community-building opportunities.
If youe a prospective QuestBridge scholar considering ϰٿ, Salinas wants you to know that you dont need to worry about feeling like an imposter here. His involvement with the ϰٿ QuestBridge chapter has helped him feel at ease on campus.
I did find my community quickly, he says.
Social events are among the most popular activities on campus, and they all have one thing in common food. What do ϰٿ students love the most? Salinas asks. I know if there an event that offers free food, Il probably be there.
ϰٿians universal love of bubble tea made a recent QB boba/arts and crafts event a big hit. We had a really great turnout, Salinas says. All events sponsored by the ϰٿ QB student chapter are open to everyone. They have a game night coming up soon, which Salinas says offers the perfect opportunity to relax for a couple of hours with friends and have some fun.
Ive found that a lot of my friends are from QuestBridge, Salinas says. QuestBridge is a really great hodgepodge of diverse students from different backgrounds it a great opportunity to meet people from all over America.