Every year, many low income, academically strong students make college choices that do not match their abilities. They are not being rejected by competitive colleges; they simply never reach. This pattern, known as undermatching, is one of the most important yet least understood issues in college admissions. If you have built a strong transcript, taken challenging courses, and earned consistently high grades, this guide is designed to help you. The goal is not to push prestige, but to prevent you from narrowing your options because of cost confusion, self doubt, or incomplete information. A well matched college list reflects your preparation and opens doors you have already earned.

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