<p>I was reading one of the featured threads on the "chances" forum, which said that applying for financial aid at private universities decreases a person's chances of being accepted into that particular university. The question was posed by an international student, and just for clarification, I was wondering if this would only affect an international student's chance of acceptance, or would it even affect a student from the United States? I'm already a very average student, and I certainly am planning on applying for financial aid, so if this decreases my chances of being accepted, I'm screwed...</p>
<p>It depends on the individual school. Some schools are need-blind for everyone who applies. Some are need-blind for US citizens and not so for international students. Some are not need-blind at all. Need-blind means that when the admissions committee is looking at your application they (supposedly) do not take into account your financial situation. So, your chances depend on the policies of the school to which you are applying.</p>
<p>Are schools publicly need blind or not? If so, do you know where I can find a list? Most of the schools I'm applying to are pretty selective (not ivies, but close), if that is significant to the matter.</p>
<p>There's a good list of schools that are need-blind at Need-blind</a> admission - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.</p>
<p>To be 100% sure of their policies, check the websites of the schools you are interested in, they will always state if they are need-blind on their FA page.</p>