<p>I've seen a fair number of posts from parents wondering whether their kid might have gotten into a school that turned him down if he hadn't asked for FA. For schools that aren't need-blind, do they they factor in how much aid you need? Say one family has an EFC of 10K and another an EFC of 40K at a school that costs 50K. Does the 10K family have a bigger disadvantage than the 40K family when it comes to admission, or does the school just look at who asked for aid v. who didn't without considering how much aid?</p>
<p>Students who can pay full freight are given an admissions advantage over those who need FA at many universities. Amount of need is also factored into an admissions decision.</p>
<p>Thanks. So if you check the box saying you want to apply for FA, but they determine you don’t qualify for any, you’d still get the admissions advantage of being full pay even though you asked for FA? I’ve been wondering whether they know what your financial need is at the time they’re deciding to admit you.</p>
<p>If you don’t qualify for any need based aid, why would it matter at need aware schools? They will SEE that they don’t need to give you aid. </p>
<p>NOTE…this is only for need aware schools.</p>
<p>The vast majority…VAST majority of colleges are need blind for admissions meaning the admissions folks have NO idea what your financial need is. </p>
<p>Dracarys, your comment would only be applicable at need aware schools.</p>
<p>As thumper said, if the college is need blind, it does not matter. However, some schools are not need blind. And some are only need blind for US students (so need aware for international students). Here is a link to a Wikipedia article listing schools in the various categories:</p>
<p><a href=“Need-blind admission - Wikipedia”>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Need-blind_admission</a> </p>
<p>I don’t think as many schools are need blind as used to be. The vast majority of schools do not meet need, though. So you might get in… but be gapped significantly on financial aid so you still can’t afford to attend.</p>
<p>I’m not sure that Wikipedia list is accurate. That has been discussed here before…recently. </p>
<p>Best bet is to check YOUR college websites for this information.</p>
<p>Discarys, you are giving WRONG info again! Please be careful with what you tell others who are seeking info.</p>
<p>Though, yes, it is POSSIBLE that those students seeking aid were turned down for that reason, that happens at those schools that are need aware in admissions. There are only a few schools in that category, and most of the time they will tell you if you ask, though GW was caught lying, and that is always a possibility. Most schools have separate fin aid and admissions offices, and they are not exactly compatible many times. They do not share info in many cases. Admissions often prides itself in accepting the best batch without regard to need. Just looking whether a student is applying for aid is not not the deal breaker as there is a huge difference between needing $5-10K a year and needing the full ride. Though there are some lists of need aware schools things do change year to year,so it’s good to ask. </p>
<p>Even those schools that are need aware in admissions, tend to accept their top picks on a need blind basis, and the last batch on a need aware basis. In that last group, it can also matter if a student needs $60K or $6K. </p>
<p>It’s difficult to tell how a school that is need aware draws their lines. Many say it affects only 5% without stipulating how many students directly get so affected. For a school that accepts 2000 students out of 4000 applicants, does it mean that 800 students are so appraised? I don’t know and schools are so upfront about this. </p>
<p>My cousin was sure her son was turned down from some schools due to need, but two of the schools are need blind in admissions, and I KNOW one of the two definitely is, and he had a NROTC scholarship which was a good indication that he wasn’t going to have a lot of need (he hardly qualifies for any) But one could never convince her otherwise.</p>
<p>It is possible that the Wikipedia article isn’t completely up to date – I could have put that caveat on. But I think it helps to show the various permutations for need blind and meeting need, and the difference for US and international students as well. So I agree that it is best to check the websites to be sure – I will say that the handful of schools I know about specifically are accurate on the list. </p>
<p>Thanks, all. That list is a helpful starting point. What I’ve noticed is that the school websites are quick to boast about it if they’re need-blind, but many don’t say anything about it. It could be a good question to ask on school visits.</p>
<p>All need blind means is that your financial need is NOT considered by the admissions folks when making admissions decisions. That is really all it is.</p>
<p>KAMom, not really, Almost all of the schools out there are need blind in admissions. Where it’s important to know, is in the very few situations where they are not. Those schools are the ones that tend to be selective and tend to meet full need or close to it, as they define it. For those who are focusing on the more selective schools, the privates that are up there in cost and do have good financial aid, there are some schools in the bunch that do practice enrollment management because they cannot meet full need for all of the students they want to accept, and yet they are also in the situation where their rankings are important to them. The yield is a number they eye closely and accepting students that are highly unlikely to be able to afford to go there with the aid package offered will be a hit on their yield. Also if the school cannot meet full need for a student, it is reflected on the common data set, and that number, % of need met for accepted students can affect the school’s reputation. It’s a great thing to be able to say they meet full need. It’s nothing to say that a school is need blind in admissions because most every Podunk U is. Very few schools meet full need for all admitted students. </p>
<p>There are schools out there that show that they meet 100% or close to it for all or nearly all of their enrolled students. That could be because they did not accept anyone whose need they could not meet or come close to meeting. Those are the schools that are need aware . Some out and out admit it, and to me that’s fine. Many won’t say it outright or have it on their websites but will say so if asked. Unfortunately, as we saw with George Washington U, some lie. Can’t do anything about that. We only have what we know. Wesleyan recently went need aware for the last bit of their acceptees, and they did announce this as a departure from their previous need blind policy, and I applaud their directness and forthrightness in this matter. Some schools do not do this and just quietly remove any mention of being need blind in admissions from their materials. So ask an admissions officer outright if you want to know.</p>
<p>Sometimes those schools do come up with the best packages, however, so don’t be quick to write them off. They have the need aware policies in place so that they can better fund those students that they do accept. They are not good schools to be on one’s list as long shots stats wise, however, if financial need is in the picture, because if they are truly reaches for a student, then the chances fin aid being an issue in the admissions process increases. Those for whom the school is a good match, I say apply away. If accepted, it could be a good deal for you in terms of aid.</p>
<p>Thanks, @cptofthehouse. Very helpful info.</p>