QuestBridge vs Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS) - Get Involved
Comparing two highly competitive interdisciplinary opportunities. Both are scholarships for high school students.
| QuestBridge | Gates Millennium Scholars Program (GMS) - Get Involved | |
|---|---|---|
| Prestige Tier | Tier 2 — Highly Competitive | Tier 1 — Elite |
| Type | Scholarship | Scholarship |
| Organization | QuestBridge | Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation / Gates Millennium Scholars Program |
| Acceptance Rate | Highly selective; exact acceptance rate not publicly disclosed but Finalists are described as 'competitive candidates'; estimated 10-20% of applicants become Finalists based on indirect sources | Approximately 3-5% (extremely competitive) |
| Applicants | Not officially disclosed; significant national applicant pool estimated in tens of thousands | Estimated 50,000-80,000+ applications annually |
| Deadline | Rolling | — |
| Cost to Apply | Free | Free |
| US Only | Yes | Yes |
| Grades | High school seniors only (also offers College Prep Scholars Program for juniors) | High school seniors and current college freshmen/sophomores (varies by year) |
| College Impact | QuestBridge is highly respected by admissions officers at partner institutions and is viewed very favorably in college admissions. Being a QuestBridge Scholar demonstrates to any college (matched or n... | Gates Millennium Scholars is viewed as ONE OF THE MOST PRESTIGIOUS scholarships by college admissions officers and employers. Being named a GMS Scholar significantly enhances college applications (tho... |