I learned that there was research showing that low income students are price sensitive for grad rates and completion rates are a function of how students grew up. However, what I found most interesting was that the reason for undermatching according to William Bowen was lack of information instead of financial issues that would lead to students not applying to schools they knew they would not be able to afford or recieve enough aid coming from "modest circumstances".
When applying to college, I was fortunate enough to be given a lot of support and information from my school staff and from graduates and staff of other schools. According to my school, I could have placed and should have applied to more prestigious schools and that aid would cover me when I knew (though we were rich in the slightest) my family made too much to qualify for enough. After talking with others outside of my school, I was encouraged to apply to a state school where I got the same degree, stayed for the same amount of years and was in 0 debt after graduation. Unfortunately, friends of mine who didn't have other people talking to them, matched with a school that fit them but ended up with $50,000+ in debt. I undermatched intentionally, not because of lack of informstion but because of lack of funds and willingness to go more in debt than needed. Because of this, I have and will encourage students to consider their financial resources and background in addition to their academic background when considering their higher education options.
