<p>First thing we were concerned with was “could she grow there?” That’s not just “fit,” it’s the “thrive” part. That started with the right level of academic challenge, right mix of motivated and prepared fellow students- and the social scene. Yes, I mean the right tier of schools and schools within that tier.</p>
<p>D1 knew her major, which is rather specific- but as a back-up was willing to go with a general program that at least offered some classes in her area. </p>
<p>Finaid was a huge consideration, but we already knew, eg, that easily affordable choices (cc and state) wouldn’t offer that growth, as we defined it. Hey, we were left with a bunch of 50k schools. So, after we had found the places where she could thrive and be challenged, then we cut down the list based on our research of how generous the various schools were with aid. We cut the ones that had crappy aid- small amounts, reliance on “work study” that wouldn’t come through or big loans.</p>
<p>That left us with a shorter list of fit, thrive, probable affordabilty- then we dug deep into the department- courses offered, profs’ backgrounds and interests, internship connections, study abroad in her specific area.</p>
<p>She’s at a school that matches all those needs, incl depth and breadth in her major.</p>