<p>I don't have to consider you equivalent - it isn't my place. A college can use your answer any way it wants, or not at all. It is ASKING that that would send a message.</p>
<p>I think the purpose of the question would be to make it clear they are interested in establishing the kind of student body they want on campus. They don't have to tell you whether they use the information or not. There are schools that ask for SAT scores that virtually don't use them, except to check that the grades attained in high school mean something. This wouldn't have to be any different.</p>