Crossroads

The decision’s yours, but you don’t have to make it alone.

Deciding between college options can be stressful, but with having clear criteria, expert guidance, and financial clarity will enable you to make the decision with confidence.

In the Crossroads stage, we focus on making an informed choice with careful consideration and analyses between the options, focusing on affordability, student appeal, and college performance metrics.

At this critical stage, you’ll weigh your options, evaluate financial realities, and choose the path that best fits your goals, values, and future success.

  1. Review Your Acceptances and Financial Aid Offers

    • Gather all acceptance letters and financial aid packages to see your full range of options.

  2. Compare “True Net Costs”

    • Calculate the “True Net Cost” of each school—analyze the actual costs of attendance, factoring in grants, scholarships, benefits, expenses, etc.

    • Identify areas where an appeal may be beneficial and request it. Update your options accordingly.

  3. Evaluate Alignment and Metrics

    • Review each acceptance to evaluate how aligned it is with your Ideal College Profile. Rank them accordingly.

    • Review each acceptance in terms of college performance metrics and outcomes and rank in order.

    • Merge the two rankings to establish a “master ranking” or similar document.

  4. Post-Acceptance Campus Visits (If Feasible)

    • If you haven’t already, consider a visit one or more of your top choices to experience the campus culture and confirm the best fit.

  5. Make Your Decision with Confidence

    • With all the data and insights in hand, make the choice that aligns with your financial needs, academic strengths, and long-term success.

Making the Best College Choice