This article examines equilibrium self-improvement and marriage proposal st
rategies in a two-sided search model with nontransferable utility. Singles
are vertically differentiated-some make better marriage partners than other
s. A complete characterization of equilibrium is provided. It is shown ther
e are two externalities to self-improvement decisions. Further, these exter
nalities may support multiple Pareto rankable equilibria. By encouraging ev
erybody to self-improve, society can create a situation where everybody is
forced to improve to remain "acceptable." But a preferred equilibrium may e
xist where there is less (costly) self-improvement.