<p>Here is a thought for a new trend in the admissiosn process. Maybe soem school should think about reviewing financial aid first and advise studetents saying "if we do accept you, this will be the amount of $$ we will be able to give you...if this will not be enough, and you will not attend based on this information, please let us know and we will close your admissions file." I'll bet this would improve admit ratios, yield and not make this whole process about "let's make a deal."</p>
<p>Timing wouldn't work - it's hard enough getting the tax forms into schools in February, never mind before application deadlines!</p>
<p>Not if school was to accept prior year tax forms..it would actually be easier!</p>
<p>Right now, they're considering my 2006 taxes to see what I could pay in 2007. If they used the "prior year" forms, it would be 2005 taxes. The figures would be too old.</p>
<p>Actually Chedva, they could give an estimate -- at least the purported 100% need schools could offer some sort of preliminary financial screening process. If they gave a breakdown of their formulas along with the numbers, then the person would know the effects changes in income or assets might have. </p>
<p>The problem is that the so-called 100% need schools also tend to be the most selective, and I don't think they really want to give that sort of info: it would cut down on the total number of applicants, thus reducing the pool and increasing percentage of admits.... not so good for ranking. </p>
<p>And of course students might start comparing financial aid practices before they apply, rather than after the decisions come out when their choices may be more limited.</p>
<p>You note the problem well..but that's also the point. Everyone knows the rankings. It would be nice for kids who are getting rejected from some of these highly selective LAC schools b/c HYP types are using them for back-ups, get accepted and don't go leaving other qualified applicants on waitlists or rejected. The thing it might do is not make it sucha crap shoot for admissions committess..and actually increase their yield. It was just an out of the blue thought after seeing so many kids get into schools who have no intention of going. The other problem is the common app is to easy to shoot off to multiple schools, even if supplements are required.</p>