SHOCKED at my Yale Admissions File | The Truth About Questbridge, Essays and Recommendations

Around 1700 days ago, I was admitted to Yale on full financial aid. About 40 days ago, I submitted a request to see my admissions file. And three days ago, I ACTUALLY saw what readers had to say about me.
Yes, I was curious, but more importantly (!) I wanted to know the truth so that I could better educate you guys about the process! After all, it’s not like I’m applying to Yale again for undergrad.
Anyways, please enjoy this enlightening video which took me eight hours to make. It’s particularly important to watch if you’re applying through Questbridge, so my FGLI friends - please watch the whole thing! As always, tap that like button if you found this info helpful and know that I’m always rooting for you guys!
A link to the Google Doc with admissions readers’ comments: docs.google.com/document/d/1d....
My name's Kevin Zhen and on this channel I’ll teach you everything school forgot to. Sometimes, there will also be videos about my personal life. Hope that’s cool. Let’s level up together!
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Links and Socials and Stuff
The one link to rule them all ►bit.ly/zhenfox
Buy me a coffee! ► ko-fi.com/kingkev98
Instagram ► / kingkev98
LinkedIn ► / kevin-z-82b257104
Resume ► www.kevinzhen.com/about
Email ► [e-mail]
Bother me! ► bit.ly/botherkevin20
Help me hit 250 subs! ► bit.ly/kevinzhenytsub
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[@elevatedschool]

From now until August 2024, I (Kevin) will offering doing FREE intro calls with students (and parents!) If interested in chatting, please visit: www.elevated.school/getstarted Thank you watching our videos! Your support seriously means the world to us!!

[@Eli-gn3km]

I applied SCEA to Yale with my Questbridge app and the decision comes out in 3 days and I'm oscillating between a feeling of empty acceptance of my likely rejection, a feeling of optimistic daydreaming that I got in, and a feeling of crushing depression that I was rejected. My anxiety is through the roof. But your voice is super calm and just hearing you talk about this was weirdly helpful, so thanks for that.

[@elevatedschool]

hey lizzy! I just made a video about dealing with college anxiety, so you might want to check that one out!

[@jane-lp9wz]

I WANNA KNOW HWO IT WENT

[@Eli-gn3km]

@@jane-lp9wz I GOT IN!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@jenniferjaskolka6491]

@@Eli-gn3km Legendddddddd

[@jane-lp9wz]

@@Eli-gn3km AHHHHHHHHGG

[@angelam8719]

you noted that yale cares a lot about leaders and that uchicago and princeton are more academic/graduate school oriented. what would you say the “fit” of the other ivys and t20s are if you know them? it’s great to finally get insight from a student there :)

[@tac1ttales]

This is the FIRST person/channel that matched through QuestBridge and is sharing their QuestBridge experience openly that I have found, and, apparently, I needed this so much more than I knew.

[@elevatedschool]

u r welcome my friend

[@davidtejuosho587]

Questbridge is not need-blind. It is geared for poor people. The poorer you are, the better

[@erpollock]

Kevin, you are all potential! I see you as running for Congress in 15 years, after you've made substantial money, made influential friends to support you, and have experience under your belt. You have zoomed from Exeter to this point. You are in movement, and the movement is upward. Start with Congress, have that as a modest goal. You are capable of winning, because you are a winning personality. You reveal who you are, and all is admirable.

[@samsam-rd7vz]

every time I read others' essays or applications, I feel like mine is lacking. Sometimes I ask myself why I even applied to some of these highly selective colleges.

[@gabcampbell1905]

Where are you now?

[@asukulusongolo965]

this video has given me so much hope!

[@elevatedschool]

you got this fam

[@sarahkay4765]

I thought my application sucked but hearing your feedback on the things that they value/actually find important in the application process, I think I might actually have a shot! Best of luck you guys, I'm sure wherever y'all go you'll do great :)

[@elevatedschool]

you never know! good luck sarah! rooting 4 u :))

[@user-fo5ej2tg5k]

Its been a year, how did it go?

[@BryanDouglass150]

It's been 2 years, how'd it go?

[@elevatedschool]

🎓How to get into an Ivy-League College 2021 [playlist]: htts://bit.ly/ivyzhensei ✏️My Common App Essay: kzbin.info/www/bejne/maaUfH2fgaeUg68 ✍️My Yale Supp Essays: kzbin.info/www/bejne/pKjHk4WoiLitg80 🙋Interviewing Friends in College: bit.ly/collegewinterviews 🙏SUBSCRIBE to my Microscopic channel so I can teach you everything about college, life and college life pls: bit.ly/kevinzhenytsub Buy me a coffee lmao: ko-fi.com/kingkev98 If you feel overwhelmed during the college apps process, check out go to collegeadvisor.com/kevin-zhensei to get a FREE Ivy League Strategy Session! This a great resource for helping you strategize your narrative, craft your essays, and boost your extracurriculars! 100% free people!!

[@rani2562]

You are now my go to college youtuber. Thank you!! 🤩

[@elevatedschool]

yay!! thanks Rani :))

[@abhiroopreddy8673]

@@elevatedschool kevin world domination!!

[@bebeerin]

the thumbnail of your video is everythinggg

[@elevatedschool]

Hi everyone! In the two years since we started this channel, we've helped more than 70+ students get into every single Ivy League School, Stanford, MIT and more! If you're interested in working with us, please visit our website: www.elevated.school/getstarted. And if you'd like your essay edited by a member of our team, visit www.elevated.school/editmyessay . Also, please note that we do take on exceptional low-income students every year, so if you identify as part of that group and would like a scholarship, let us know! I hope you found this video helpful and are having a wonderful day 😇

[@emilychu6183]

Hi Kevin ! This was such an informative and interesting video! I'm also a qb finalist this year but I opted of the match because ✨commitment issues✨.

[@emilychu6183]

Btw u got yourself another subscriber!

[@elevatedschool]

I'm so genuinely glad you found it helpful! If there's anything else I can help with, lmk!

[@emilychu6183]

@@elevatedschool tysm! Do you have a fb or ig?

[@elevatedschool]

@@emilychu6183 yup! My insta is @kingkev98 and @bboy_bubblez 😊

[@deborahwey4183]

omg i did questbridge too! i wasn’t matched sadly but i did get into a few schools through it

[@xavieramaro145]

I applied REA and decisions come out in 2 days. Curious about how they viewed my recommenders and school counselor's report. Manifesting acceptance, your video really grounded the process. Thanks :)

[@diego7589]

how did it go?

[@ShadeandShadow4ever]

First I wanna say I like your videos. Great job! I think the fact that your father has the degree might have actually HELPED though. I read a "How to Write an Essay that'll get you into a UC" book and it pointed out how the applicant subtlety pointed out that his whole family was educated and had doctors. There was another girl who pointed out that even though she didn't get along best with her step-father, he was wealthy. And could pay tuition fees. Point is having education or wealth in the family apparently normally boosts chances.

[@elevatedschool]

mm it really depends on the school and particular situation, typically FGLI is seen as a plus. but it's good knowing that either way (having your parents go to college or not) could technically benefit your app! at the end of the day, my recommendation is to focus on what factors you CAN control and not the ones that you can't (race, socioeconomic status, gender, etc.)

[@CubingEncoded]

Haha 3 more days until rejection!

[@elevatedschool]

or maybe 3 more days until acceptance!

[@shaamsnur8089]

How'd it go?

[@Biggest_War_Is_With_Yourself]

+1. How did it go?

[@ndindakasyoka5733]

Please come tell us what happened

[@ericroth2433]

I guess they are never gonna reply with the results :(((

[@elevatedschool]

A link to the Google Doc with admissions readers’ comments: docs.google.com/document/d/1dJB_rfe_bGkaa0adjwYaffkR3js0epWVONt-Z9LUM-4/edit?usp=sharing. Also, someone on Reddit edited my essay! I thought their analysis was pretty spot-on (this CA is definitely far from perfect): www.reddit.com/r/ApplyingToCollege/comments/kbtgek/editing_essays_part_3_kevin_zhen_and_literary/

[@pubspec7217]

Am I the only one that can't access the link?

[@elevatedschool]

@@pubspec7217 oh whoops, let me fix this - in the meantime, everything they wrote is in the video!

[@elevatedschool]

@@pubspec7217 just updated it!

[@pubspec7217]

@@elevatedschool Thanks! I can access it now.

[@elevatedschool]

@@pubspec7217 dope

[@yuriyu279]

I'm so anxious waiting for the deicision from Yale that I'm frantically watching all types of Yale videos ahhhhhhhhhhh.... 3 weeks to go

[@elevatedschool]

good luck man! my friend likes to say "It's on someone else's to-do list now"

[@aakashhaque9805]

AN EXONIAN on my recommendation! When you said ESSO I was a bit hopeful, but when you said Exeter, I rushed to write this comment. Good to see an Exonian went to Yale.

[@elevatedschool]

yeah man! I'm cilley '16! Exeter >>> Yale all the way hahaha

[@yuvrajsethi1797]

@@elevatedschool Cilley '21 here! Just missed you lol.

[@elevatedschool]

@@yuvrajsethi1797 dang man! we almost overlapped!

[@johnliu9108]

Hey Kevin nice video man! I was chosen as a QB Finalist and will see if I get matched in like 9 days...I ranked Yale first and honestly think it's the best school for me...I love the vibe; I'm super excited, but also nervous lol. See you at Yale soon #manifesting.

[@elevatedschool]

Hey John!! Wishing you the best of luck! Please dm me if you get in so we can celebrate together! 🍻

[@johnliu9108]

@@elevatedschool Yesss im down broo

[@amandanguyen3775]

@@johnliu9108 wait how’d it go :)))

[@krysa2726]

Hey Kevin! Thanks for this informative video! I would love to schedule a 20 min meeting with you but see that your schedule is currently full for October. I was wondering if you may have any extra slots to meet?

[@elevatedschool]

Hey Krys, unfortunately I don’t have any slots left for this November :(

[@susanacrane1770]

Hi! Just subscribed, what a great video! I wanted to ask if you are still offering the 20-minute meetings? I'd love to ask for your advice

[@elevatedschool]

yes I am! bit.ly/botherkevin20

[@abhiroopreddy8673]

Kevin world domination!!

[@ShadeandShadow4ever]

Wow. So even when you change the common app to suit each university, they can see each one anyway? That's good to know!

[@elevatedschool]

just for questbridge! and this was years ago, not sure if this is the case nowawadays anymore

[@wizardemail]

patiently waiting for my scea decision to come out this afternoon...

[@elevatedschool]

good luck James! fingers crossed! rooting for you!!

[@andywozniak6880]

Same man

[@johnliu977]

Hey Kevin so I just got my QB match results back and unfortunately I didn’t match with any schools. I’m currently debating whether to apply to Yale using QB RD or switching over to common apps. If I use common apps to apply to Yale, will the admission officers have access to my QB NCM application? Which application method do you recommend?

[@elevatedschool]

dang John, sad to hear that, but if it's any consolation, I got into Yale and Princeton on literally the last day possible. With regards to your question about switching to common app - I'm pretty sure the admission officers WILL have access to your early QB app so I'm not sure it makes much of a difference at this point whether you apply using QB regular or the regular common app. Honestly, the best course of action is to call/email a QB person and see what they think. When I did QB, there was no QB RD - there was only early matching I think.

[@johnliu977]

@@elevatedschool thanks for the reply man! Honestly I was so disappointed that I wasn’t matched but at this point I’ve accepted it and it’ll only make me stronger. I’m definitely going to email Yale about this since I want to try something else beside QuestBridge since they’ll see my QB app anyways if I use common app (hopefully). Kevin, so you didn’t match with Yale either and decided to go with common app?

[@elevatedschool]

@@johnliu977 yeah! but like I said, I think in those days you didn’t have a choice lol

[@ronalds271]

Good video

[@jinwoopark2867]

I got accepted to Yale EA but I’m still considering on applying to other colleges for RA and I feel like knowing the notes I got for my admissions file will help me. Do I just email the admissions office? And will I get a response fast?

[@elevatedschool]

Hey Jin Woo! You can try to email the Yale admissions office but I"m pretty sure you need to be a student already enrolled to see your file - not 100% sure tho

[@arunu9466]

Ayy you got 1K subs

[@patmoh4204]

Kevin Zhensei, would you consider this thought as to why you have such low click to view. The thumbnail was not undicatuve of the serious of the topic you were discussing, I clicked on the previous & first video of yours to watch, & I was impressed by the quality of the content.

[@elevatedschool]

Thanks for the feedback Pat! I'll be sure to note that in the future

[@boopsea6415]

Just got rejected from Yale through QB... 😥😥 I heard some rumors about how if u had an EFC of 0 and got rejected in the match, then u will get rejected again in RD if u submit the same QB app (unless you apply with the common app instead apparently..?) What do you think about this? Did Qb finalists with 0 EFC get into to top schools in RD with the same application?

[@elevatedschool]

Hey Chelsea! I'm honestly not sure about this, since when I did Questbridge, there was no RD :( To be safe tho, I'd probably just apply RD using common app.

[@elevatedschool]

But some part of me also doubts that that rumor is true lol, it just doesn't make much logical sense

[@personnoun7086]

ooooooof ouch. I just submitted 8 application this morning and in all of them I said they were my #1 choice!

[@elevatedschool]

it be like that sometimes

[@bpxl53yewz29]

I don't get it. So how did Yale know Princeton was your #1 choice? Did you apply EA or ED to Princeton through QB and they saw that? I wonder if Common App reveals the EA/ ED info to other colleges...

[@elevatedschool]

yeah that's what I'm saying! I think QB showed them my first and second choice which is super weird

[@mcstuffins]

Heyy, great video as always! But I have a question, why would a student with a family income less than $65k need a scholarship to an institution that offers need-based need-blind financial aid?😅 I mean wouldn't that automatically qualify them for full financial aid if they get in?

[@elevatedschool]

Hey Tasneem! That's a great question. Let me try to write a detailed answer to clear this up. The short answer is you're right: if your family income is less than $65k, you essentially get full aid. There's some technicality where the aid I got came from a Yale scholarship, but you can just think of that as aid. I didn't apply for any outside scholarships, nor did I need to. In my particular case, I think my first year I had to pay somewhere around $800, and in later years, this went up to around $1500 ish (which is super duper low). I'm not 100% sure if this applies to international students, but I'm prettyyy sure it does. Also, if you apply through QuestBridge, college partners commit to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need. I think things get tricky if your family is technically poor but owns some valuable assets like real estate or stocks, etc. - that could actually hurt your aid and make you pay a lot more than you need. Let me know if this was helpful or not!

[@mcstuffins]

@@elevatedschool Yeahh that was very helpful thanks! So do you mean QuestBridge is only useful if you're applying to universities that don't offer need-based aid, am I getting that right?😅 Or else what's the differrence between the aid you'd get if you apply through QB rather than the common app? Both with family income less than $65k And one last thing, why do think that that might not also apply to international students? I mean it says on yale's website that their aid is need-based to both domestic and international students🤔

[@elevatedschool]

​@@mcstuffins Well there's other advantages of applying through Questbridge - for instance, you find out earlier than other early admit students and the college match works such that if you don't get matched with your first choice school, they go down the list until you do get matched. As for international students, I believe that most universities don't give generous need-blind aid (just the really rich top 10 schools I think lol). But to return to your point about "QB being useful if you're applying to universities that don't offer need-based aid" - I guess I'd say that it's *especially* useful for universities that don't have robust aid.

[@mcstuffins]

@@elevatedschool well I just looked QB up a little bit more and it turns out that "International students living outside the U.S. are not eligible to apply to the National College Match" It also turns out that only five institutions give need-based need-blind aid to intl. student, I knew they would be very few but like not literally-just-five-out-of-5000+ few. Why is life treating me so well

[@elevatedschool]

@@mcstuffins ah yes, sorry about that Tasneem - QB is only for domestic students ://

[@wolfmangoland7972]

You have a nicely furnished home. Expensive furniture. My uncle works for IRS. He says a lot of restaurant owners do not show cash income on their federal tax returns. Also, they take more deductions to lower their taxable income. It helps them financially and then helps their kids get college scholarships due to low income.

[@nayeligonzalez3938]

I’ve been contemplating asking to see my admissions file. Not sure yet but what steps did you take to see it? 👉🏼👈🏼

[@elevatedschool]

You just email admissions! You have to be attending the school already tho so you might have to wait until the fall

[@nayeligonzalez3938]

Thanks! I’m Yale 2024 so no problems there :)

[@bebeerin]

im shocked that the admissions officer is allowed to say that because princeton was your #1 choice that that now affects how he feels about your application and not only that but it changed his rating of 'plus' to 'neutral'. like the fuck??? how are they allowed to show bias like that. whether an application is a 'yes' or 'no' for an admissions officer should be based on their rating of the applicant's merit, extracurriculars, essays, etc. also why are the admissions officers privy to the fact that princeton didn't admit you? seems like something that should be fixed bc the admissions officers of one school should not be influenced by the decision of admissions officers from another school

[@bebeerin]

i love how you called the size of your channel a chloroplast lmao

[@julien3544]

"s" is so proud of you I'm sure sweet girl.

[@minetime6881]

Wait so telling a certain college it’s your dream school is a bad idea?

[@lendsi2062]

Hmmm my family used to be extremely poor and I have a lot of things to write now my family is okay making the same combined income as your parents so $41k. Would it be ok to write more about experience of being more than like achievements cause I have no ECs or awards lol

[@elevatedschool]

Yup!

[@phoneheaded]

The income being specified at the start of the file might just be a Yale/0 efc school thing. Yale and some other QB schools and only match those who are "sufficiently low income."

[@josephmulligan3247]

Noo he is famous now :( great video though, appreciate it

[@thedoctork1037]

How are you low income if you went to a rich feeder school im confused

[@elevatedschool]

I attended Exeter on full financial aid

[@spiderduckpig]

I think they look at income for questbridge because some very rich families have actually managed to get around the intent of the QB program and get their kids in. So you'll see people with 200k household income in QB every once in a while.

[@ethelyntaylor6349]

I want to do an essay on a list of a child who was out there, in the stree on drugs, escape,that cause him incarcerations to death. I go through my days in pain, praying to God to preserve y other three children, don’t let me feel this lost again. I am a 72 years old woman who wants to do online classs in human development. I have never done an essay before. I do not know what 500 words essay is.please help me, thank you in advance.

[@amandanguyen3775]

I feel like questbridge would be a great way to apply but I’m not first gen and my family isn’t really poor would this hurt my chances in the qb pool? I am a sophomore btw so I have time to lay out all my options. :))

[@elevatedschool]

hey Amanda! I believe there's a cutoff for QB (meaning your family should make a certain amount of $ or less). But it's primarily for low-income, first-gen students - hope this helps!

[@emelyaccostupa3311]

I'm not a first gen, and they say most applicants have a inc of 65 K or less for a family of four, but it never hurts to apply! If you're family makes a little more than that, don't worry. I saw a bunch of kids become a finalist and have an income of 75K, or slightly higher, they also pay attention to circumstances. Even if you don't get matched, as a finalist you wouldn't have to pay a single application fee! so definitely keep that in mind. I would also check out their CPS program too considering you're a sophomore.

[@elevatedschool]

@@emelyaccostupa3311 thanks for this detailed info!

[@lenachoi]

oh em gee all the meetings are WIPED OUT

[@elevatedschool]

yeah unfortunately I'm all booked until first week of Jan D:

[@ashleymarie6682]

Wow people that use the word “shooketh” can get into Yale?

[@brooklynhamler4826]

What’s the point of this comment?

[@bebeerin]

it's obviously used in jest. why so serious

[@pumpkin12348]

How did they know that Princeton was your first choice? Did they see your rankings or did you say it elsewhere?

[@elevatedschool]

Yeah I ranked them in my qb application

[@idafan4577]

​@@elevatedschool Hi! Do you know if schools still see my QB application if I was not chosen as a finalist and don't plan on using my QB application to apply? (Or should I use my QB application to apply?) Thank you >< Your videos are so motivating, especially since I'm double guessing everything right before when I planned to submit my applications.

[@elevatedschool]

@@idafan4577 hey Ida, unfortunately I do not know if they still see your QB application or not :( I'd check with some more recent questies. Glad to hear you enjoy my videos though! 😇

[@idafan4577]

@@elevatedschool No worries, and thank you for replying!!

[@kevinmei787]

how did they know princeton was your first choice?

[@elevatedschool]

because I said so in my QB app lol

[@Toress62]

@@elevatedschool Was it on one of those 35 word prompts?

[@elevatedschool]

@@Toress62 No, I think the app was different then... or maybe I wrote it in the additional info section, I can't exactly remember

[@wandew7057]

Random Student: I have a gold medal in olympic swimming, running and diving. I also have 3 gold imo medals won the physics olympiad 5 times in a row and take every ap class. Yale: not unique.

[@jenniferjaskolka6491]

Deferred from Yale Early Decision gang???