Abstract: A computer-implemented method for selecting participants from an applicant pool to participate in a program to exit poverty is described. The method implemented using a computing device in communication with a memory. The method includes storing a plurality of questions to ask each applicant from a pool of applicants, storing a plurality of ratings based on historical data wherein each rating is associated with each of one or more potential answers for each question of the plurality of questions, compiling by the computing device one or more scores for the applicant based on the applicant's answers to the plurality of questions and the plurality of ratings, calculating by the computing device the applicant's overall score based on the one or more scores, determining the applicant's ranking in comparison to the pool of applicants, and outputting the rankings of the applicants.