<p>I think the confusion here is what match means. Does it mean</p>
<p>1) Based on my profile and the competitiveness of the school, do I have a reasonable chance of gaining admission to the school?</p>
<p>or</p>
<p>2) If I do get into the school can I keep pace with my cohorts, do well academically and socially and graduate in a reasonable period of time?</p>
<p>or</p>
<p>3) If I get into the school, do I have a fair chance of getting aid and scholarships that will make the school affordable?</p>
<p>What OP is meaning is #2. For example a student goofed off in the first two years of HS and got a low GPA and joined a Flagship State U may have do very well in Cornell, Rice or such a school, had he/she got admission. So Cornell/Rice was match from definition # 2 but not a match from say definition #1, as he/she was not competitive.</p>
<p>To most people on CC, Match is #1.</p>