New Online College Guidance Solution Aims to Lower Transfer Rate by Matching Students with the Right College Options

ALEXANDRIA, Va.—November 19, 2009—A survey of 800 college freshman representing schools nationwide found that 33 percent of students have thought about transferring to another college and 36 percent believe that there is a better college out there for them. The survey was sponsored by WiseChoice, a new online advocate that uses proprietary matching technology to pair students with colleges that meet their academic, personal, financial and lifestyle needs and that aims to lower freshman transfer rates by helping students—and parents—find the perfect college and a rewarding experience the first time around.

“Based on our survey results, it appears that many high school seniors need to do additional homework when it comes to choosing their college,” said WiseChoice President Richard Taylor. “WiseChoice helps match students with schools that meet their learning style, budget, personality, preferences and interests—a process which we believe can help lower transfer rates. Our ultimate goal is the same for every student: to place them in a school where they will thrive.”

Launched in October, WiseChoice is the most comprehensive online college guidance solution currently available and features expert advice, scholarship information, personalized financial aid scenarios, school statistics, academic outlook and reviews by more than 85,000 surveyed college students. By matching students with the right college options across all facets, WiseChoice aims to leave both students and parents with as little debt as possible at graduation.

According to the survey, among the reasons that freshmen cite for wanting to transfer are:

• Not the right setting (too rural or too urban)
• Having nothing in common with fellow students
• College does not offer the major of their choice
• College environment is not to their liking (too much partying, immature student body, etc.)
• Little community involvement
• Lack of campus and student diversity
• Hard to adjust to new culture and dynamics
• Unhelpful or inaccessible faculty
• Inability to make friends

“Most of these situations could have been prevented if students did more research upfront,” said Taylor. “WiseChoice offers detailed and niche information on all four-year, residential, accredited colleges in the country, allowing students to explore all aspects of college life before they make the final decision.” Taylor notes that, according to ACT, Inc., the percentage of U.S. college freshman returning for a second year is 66%, the lowest level since data gathering began in 1983.

Unlike other college search and selection sites that offer limited resources, WiseChoice helps parents and students figure out how to pay for college, identify scholarships and financial aid, and develop a payment plan. WiseChoice can even calculate the true overall cost of college—including tuition, room and board, fees, travel, personal expenses, books, etc.—before students even apply to schools to better prepare them for the four-year investment and to avoid any unwelcome surprises when making that first school payment.

Other features of WiseChoice include:

• WiseChoice Matching: A patent-pending, individual analysis that matches a student’s academic abilities, learning style, goals, financial requirements, social preferences, geographic desire, interests, personality and lifestyle with a selection of colleges that are the best fit for them. WiseChoice’s matching process puts the student and parent in control by focusing on colleges that meet their requirements. Each analysis supplies up to 32 “best-fit schools” per student.
• Odds of Getting In: Users can see how compatible a school is to the student, including the likelihood of being accepted (target, reach, safety) and a percentage showing how the school matches the student’s preferences.
• Extensive Database: WiseChoice gives students and parents access to options they may never have considered—or even known about—with information on accredited, four-year, residential schools in the U.S. that are attended by 99% of all incoming freshmen.

WiseChoice, which follows a “pay what you want, pay what you can” business model, is headquartered in Alexandria, VA. For more information, please visit www.wisechoice.com.