Using the School Comparison Worksheet

Module 2.6: Using the School Comparison Worksheet

By the time you finish your research, you will have a lot of data: notes from tours, statistics from profiles, and gut feelings. To make a rational decision, you need to organize this chaos.

This guide explains how to use the School Comparison Worksheet (available in the Resources folder).

Setting Up Your Tracker

If you haven't downloaded the template, create a spreadsheet with the following columns:

Section 1: Logistics (The "Hard" Data)

• School Name:

• Location: (Distance from home / flight time).

• Application Platform: (Gateway, SAO, or Custom).

• Deadlines: Application due date AND Financial Aid due date.

• Testing: SSAT/ISEE requirements (Test Optional?).

• Interview Status: (To be Scheduled / Scheduled / Completed).

Section 2: Fit Factors (The "Soft" Data)

Rate each of these on a scale of 1-10 for every school.

• Academic Vibe: (1=Too Easy, 10=Pressure Cooker). Aim for your sweet spot.

• Extracurricular Match: Does it have your sport/art/club?

• Social Culture: Did the students seem happy?

• Facilities: Labs, fields, dorms.

• "Gut Feeling": Your immediate emotional response.

Section 3: The "Hook"

• My Angle: In one sentence, what is your strategy for this specific school?

  • Example: "The STEM recruit who also plays varsity squash."

• Specific Programs to Mention: List the 2-3 specific classes or clubs you found during research (Module 2.1).

The Weighted Scoring System

Not all factors are equal.

• If you are a recruited athlete, the "Athletics" column matters 5x more than the "Dorms" column.

• If you have a learning difference, the "Learning Support" column is non-negotiable.

Action Step: Highlight the 2 columns that are "Dealbreakers" for your family. If a school scores low in a Dealbreaker column, cut it from the list, no matter how prestigious it is.

Tracking Progress

Use this worksheet as a living document.

• Color Code:

  • Green: Task Complete.

  • Yellow: In Progress.

  • Red: Urgent/Deadline Approaching.

The Final "Sanity Check"

Once your sheet is filled out, look at the "Deadlines" column.

• Are all your deadlines bunched on January 15th?

• Do you have enough "Likely" schools (Module 1.5) with green scores in the "Fit" section?

Using this systematic approach removes the emotion from the logistics and ensures you don't wake up on January 14th realizing you forgot a supplemental essay.