Zada Admissions
College Decision Dashboard
Making a clear, confident choice by May 1
Section 1
My schools at a glance
| School A | School B | School C | School D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| School name | ||||
| Location | ||||
| Major program | ||||
| School rating auto-filled from Section 4 |
Section 2
Financial aid comparison
| Aid type | School A | School B | School C | School D |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cost of attendance (COA — the school's full estimated annual cost) | ||||
| Grants & scholarships (free money — you never pay this back) | ||||
| Work-study (wages earned on campus — not applied to your bill automatically) | ||||
| Subsidized loans (federal loan — government pays your interest while enrolled) | ||||
| Unsubsidized loans (federal loan — interest builds from the day you borrow) | ||||
| Parent PLUS loans (loan in your parent's name — their debt, not your aid) | ||||
| Other funding (529 Plan, External Scholarships, Military/ROTC, Parent Employment Benefits, CalKIDS, Private Loans, etc.) | ||||
| True net price (COA minus grants & scholarships only — what you actually pay) | — | — | — | — |
| Family contribution (estimated) | ||||
| Out-of-pocket after family contribution | — | — | — | — |
Section 3
4-year cost projection
School A — [School Name]
Year 1
$—
net price
Year 2
$—
net price
Year 3
$—
net price
Year 4
$—
net price
4-year total
$—
Debt at graduation
$—
Debt-to-income ratio
—
target: 1.0x or below
School B — [School Name]
Year 1
$—
net price
Year 2
$—
net price
Year 3
$—
net price
Year 4
$—
net price
4-year total
$—
Debt at graduation
$—
Debt-to-income ratio
—
target: 1.0x or below
School C — [School Name]
Year 1
$—
net price
Year 2
$—
net price
Year 3
$—
net price
Year 4
$—
net price
4-year total
$—
Debt at graduation
$—
Debt-to-income ratio
—
target: 1.0x or below
School D — [School Name]
Year 1
$—
net price
Year 2
$—
net price
Year 3
$—
net price
Year 4
$—
net price
4-year total
$—
Debt at graduation
$—
Debt-to-income ratio
—
target: 1.0x or below
A 5th year costs $30,000–$65,000 more. Always ask about the 4-year graduation rate before assuming you'll finish on time.
Note: Debt-to-income ratio is determined by the salary you enter in Section 6.
Section 4
Weighted decision scoring
Set your weight first (1 = nice to have · 2 = important · 3 = essential), then rate each school 1–5 stars. Weight before you rate — your feelings about a school can unconsciously change how you weigh factors.
Academic quality
Program strength in my major
1
2
3
Faculty access and mentorship
1
2
3
4-year graduation rate
1
2
3
Research & interdisciplinary opportunities
1
2
3
Financial sustainability
True net cost (affordability)
1
2
3
Aid renewability
1
2
3
Projected debt vs. starting salary
1
2
3
Career & outcomes
Internship & job placement outcomes
1
2
3
Employer / grad school recruiting on campus
1
2
3
Alumni network strength
1
2
3
Fit & belonging
Can I identify 1–3 clubs or communities to join?
1
2
3
Support resources specific to my individual needs
1
2
3
What feeling does the campus culture give me?
1
2
3
Gut feeling: I can picture myself thriving here
1
2
3
School Rating — how well does each school meet the important factors above?
⭐ 1 = Poor fit ⭐ 2 = Below average ⭐ 3 = Adequate ⭐ 4 = Strong fit ⭐ 5 = Excellent fit
Tip: look up each university / college's website to investigate.
⭐ 1 = Poor fit ⭐ 2 = Below average ⭐ 3 = Adequate ⭐ 4 = Strong fit ⭐ 5 = Excellent fit
Tip: look up each university / college's website to investigate.
School A — rating per factor
Weighted total
—
School B — rating per factor
Weighted total
—
School C — rating per factor
Weighted total
—
School D — rating per factor
Weighted total
—
Section 5
Reflection Questions — Action-to-Insight Model™
Discover → Define → Develop → Deliver
These questions guide you from exploring your options to clarifying your priorities, evaluating tradeoffs, and moving toward a confident decision.
These questions guide you from exploring your options to clarifying your priorities, evaluating tradeoffs, and moving toward a confident decision.
Discover — Understand Your Options
1. When you picture yourself on this campus in October of your freshman year, what does your day-to-day life look like?
2. What stands out most to you about your top options — academically, socially, and personally?
3. What concerns or uncertainties do you have about your current top-choice school? Are these based on something you know, or something you're assuming?
Define — Clarify What Matters Most
4. What are your top 3 priorities when choosing a college?
5. Which of these priorities are non-negotiable, and which are more flexible?
6. How important is the on-campus experience (living in dorms, building community, campus life) to you?
Develop — Evaluate Tradeoffs
7. If cost were not a factor, which school would you choose — and why?
8. If you prioritize long-term financial comfort and minimizing debt, which school would you choose — and how do you feel about that option?
9. Where do your answers to questions 7 and 8 align? Where do they conflict?
Deliver — Move Toward a Decision
10. Based on everything above, which school are you leaning toward right now — and what would you need to feel fully confident in that decision?
Section 6
Financial sustainability checklist
Is every scholarship renewable? Do I know the exact GPA requirement?
YesNoNeed to find out
Is my need-based grant renewable if my family's income stays the same?
YesNoNeed to find out
Have I confirmed what I'll pay in Years 2, 3, and 4 — not just Year 1?
YesNoNeed to find out
Is my projected debt at graduation at or below my expected first-year salary?
YesNoNeed to find out
Have I separated loans from grants in the total aid figure?
YesNoNeed to find out
Have I asked about a financial aid appeal — and considered doing one?
YesNoNeed to find out
Can my family realistically cover the out-of-pocket cost for four years without hardship?
YesNoNeed to find out
If paying for college myself, is this school's tuition worth the financial risk based on my major's outcomes and realistic salary?
YesNoNeed to find out
Use the resources and tools in your College Planner Pro student portal through your Zada Admissions account. Review the College Exploration folder and write down your expected first-year salary in your field:
Note: Go back to Section 3 to see how this impacts your Debt-to-income ratio.
Section 7
My decision
I am choosing
My enrollment deposit deadline
The main financial reason I chose this school
The main academic and fit reason I chose this school
My biggest remaining concern — and my plan to address it
I feel
Confident
Mostly confident
Still nervous
Unsure
Go !
* This webpage does not save your data. Please print or save as PDF to keep your responses.
Vocabulary glossary
Key terms explained
529 College Savings Plan
A tax-advantaged savings account specifically designed to help families save for college. Money in a 529 plan grows tax-free and can be used for tuition, fees, housing, and other qualified education expenses. If your family has one, it can reduce the amount you need to borrow.
CalKIDS Savings Account
A California state program that automatically opens a college savings account for eligible newborns and low-income public school students. Accounts come with a seed deposit and can be added to over time. Check if you have one — it may be money waiting for you.
Cost of attendance (COA)
The school's total estimated cost for one year, including tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, and personal expenses. This is your starting number before any aid is applied — not necessarily what you will pay.
Debt
The total amount of money you owe. In the context of college, your student debt is the sum of all loans you have taken out across all years of school. It follows you after graduation and affects your financial options for years.
Debt-to-income ratio
Total loans ÷ your first year's salary = your debt-to-income ratio. The goal is 1.0x or below — meaning the total you borrowed is no more than what you'll earn in your first year on the job. Go above 1.5x and your monthly loan payments will likely eat up a significant chunk of every paycheck. The lower the number, the more financial breathing room you'll have after graduation.
External scholarships
Scholarships awarded by organizations outside of the college — such as nonprofits, community groups, employers, or foundations. Unlike institutional grants, you apply for these separately. They are free money that can reduce your out-of-pocket cost and should be listed on your financial aid offer when reported to the school.
Financial aid offer
The official letter from a college listing the types and amounts of aid they are offering you for the upcoming year. Always read it carefully and separate free money from debt before comparing schools.
Graduation rate
The percentage of students who complete their degree within four years (or six years). A low four-year graduation rate is a financial red flag — a fifth or sixth year adds tens of thousands of dollars to your total cost.
Grants & scholarships
Free money awarded based on financial need, academic merit, or other criteria. You never have to pay grants or scholarships back. This is the most valuable type of aid in your package.
Loan
Money borrowed that must be repaid with interest. Student loans are a form of debt, not free aid. The total amount you borrow, plus interest that builds over time, determines how much you owe after graduation.
Military / ROTC benefits
Financial assistance available to students who serve or commit to serving in the military. ROTC (Reserve Officers' Training Corps) programs may offer scholarships covering tuition, fees, and a monthly stipend in exchange for military service after graduation. Veterans and dependents may also be eligible for GI Bill benefits.
Parent employment tuition benefits
Some employers offer tuition assistance or free/discounted tuition to employees and their dependents. If a parent works at a university or a company with an education benefit, this can significantly reduce your college cost. Always ask your parent to check their HR department.
Parent PLUS loans
Federal loans taken out in your parent's name, not yours. They carry higher interest rates than student loans and require a credit check. These are your parent's debt to repay — they are often listed in award letters to make the package look larger, but they are not aid to you.
Private loans
Loans offered by banks, credit unions, or other private lenders — not the federal government. Private loans typically have higher interest rates, fewer repayment protections, and no income-driven repayment options. They should only be considered after all federal aid options have been exhausted.
Salary
The annual income you earn from a job. When evaluating college costs, research the median starting salary for graduates in your specific field and at your specific school. This tells you how quickly you will be able to repay your loans.
Subsidized loans
Federal student loans where the government pays the interest while you are enrolled at least half-time. Repayment begins six months after you graduate or drop below half-time enrollment. These are the least costly type of loan.
True net price
The cost of attendance minus grants and scholarships only. This is the real amount your family is expected to cover each year — through savings, income, or loans. It is the most important number in your financial aid package.
Unsubsidized loans
Federal student loans where interest starts accumulating the moment you borrow — even while you are still in school. If you do not pay the interest while enrolled, it gets added to your principal balance, making your total debt grow faster.
Work-study
A federal program that gives you the opportunity to earn money through a part-time campus job. Unlike grants, work-study is not automatically applied to your bill — you receive a paycheck and decide how to use it.