When writing about a student's qualities, we encourage you to be as specific as possible, providing examples or stories when applicable. Focusing on their personal qualities, their work in class, or their engagement with the school community will help to paint a fuller picture of who they are outside of their grades and test scores. One of the goals of the reference and recommendation is to help us and our college partners understand a student as a person and how they contribute to their community.
Various personal qualities are often used to describe successful QuestBridge applicants. Below is a list of some of these personal qualities, and what QuestBridge generally understands them to mean. However, this is not meant to be an exhaustive list of the personal qualities we consider when evaluating an application.
Note for the College Prep Scholars Program: If you are selected to provide a reference, QuestBridge will contact you directly with additional details. You do not need to write a letter of recommendation or take any other action unless later requested.
- Agency/Self-Efficacy: The student is confident in their ability to positively affect their life outcomes. They believe they have options and can choose how to deal with challenging situations.
- Compassion/Empathy: The student is concerned about the well-being of others, and they can put themselves "into others' shoes." They are driven to help others who are suffering or in need.
- Courage: The student is willing to face challenges and difficulties despite their doubts or fears. The student may find themselves speaking up for what is right, facing difficult social situations, or going beyond their comfort zone.
- Curiosity/Passion for Learning: The student exhibits a desire to learn and understand new things. They often ask questions, explore new ideas, and investigate or research to reach their own answers.
- Desire to Improve: The student shows a consistent effort to improve themselves. They seek to learn from their mistakes and exhibit a growth mindset.
- Exceptional Natural Intelligence: The student quickly learns and applies new knowledge and skills.
- Generosity/Selflessness: The student seeks to give to those around them. They may share their material belongings, attention, and time freely with others. They tend to put others first and are willing to make individual sacrifices.
- Gratitude: The student shows appreciation for what they have and what others have given to them. They see the goodwill in the world around them.
- Integrity/Honesty: The student is dedicated to the truth. They are true to themselves, take responsibility for their actions, and are genuine in their interactions with others.
- Optimism: The student approaches problems and challenges in their life with positivity. They have confidence in a positive future.
- Purpose: The student sees their actions as part of a larger, consistent goal and value framework. The student finds the goal to be meaningful both for themselves and for others.
- Resilience/Grit: The student's experiences have demonstrated difficulty or challenge that threatens their development or well-being. They have overcome and done well despite these experiences.
- Resourcefulness: The student is able to deal with or solve difficult or stressful situations with their own solutions, especially with limited resources. Often, the student is creative or innovative with their solutions.
- Self-Control: The student can postpone their immediate wants and impulses to accomplish their longer-term goals for themselves or in the service of a larger mission.
Character trait summaries were created using various sources, including the Making Caring Common Project and the VIA Institute on Character.