Goal: Find schools where you can thrive and afford

<aside> 💡

"There is no single 'right' school. There are dozens of schools where you could be happy and successful. Your job is to find the best fit across academics, finances, and culture—not to chase the most prestigious name."

</aside>

One Decision Matrix (4 Categories, Weighted):

Scoring Guide:

Academic Fit (25%):

• Does the school offer your major(s) of interest?
• Can you easily switch/double major?
• Undergrad research/internship opportunities?

Financial Fit (35%)

• Net price after aid (run NPCs for each school)
• Average debt at graduation
• Merit aid likelihood
• Work-study/co-op availability

Cultural Fit (25%):

• % first-gen students (do you have community?)
• Student support systems (tutoring, mental health, advising)
• Social vibe (visit if possible, check student Reddit/social media)
• Geographic location (do you want/need to be near home?)