<p>hey, i was skimming the article everyone has linked to in this board (<a href=“http://www.businessweek.com/magazine/content/06_09/b3973087.htm[/url]”>Bloomberg - Are you a robot?</a>) about how amherst ranks 1 to 6. i’m somewhere around a 3, possibly a 2, according to the scale, but i AM a low income student–by technical standards. i don’t go to an impoverished high school (by any means), and I’m not on free lunch. how would amherst be able to tell i’m low-income? since they’re need blind, aren’t they not allowed to look at my financial aid forms? (if they did look at my FAFSA, with an EFC of 3,000, they would of course see that i’m low-income)</p>
<p>All need blind means is that they don't take your need into account in the application process. It doesn't mean they can't look. Isn't there a place to check off that you request FA on the app? And if you read the parent's threads, there have been many discussions about the fact that they (all elites) only take so many, because they still need kids to pay full freight. The whole class can't be on FA, or their endowments would keep shrinking.</p>
<p>they most definitely take it into account, especially with an eye on President Tony Marx's new propositions regarding increasing the school's social mobility by expanding their search to identify low-income students who are qualified for Amherst. if you are a low-income student, they will know and take it into account. it will be a boon in the reviewing process, but you still have to be highly qualified. that article is highly disputed because it assumes that low-income students would be lower on the scale than others. Marx's true intent is to find 1's and 2's who are low-income by increasing their admissions office's efforts in "spreading the word" about Amherst.</p>
<p>Several, but by no means all, ways of identifying "low-income" students:</p>
<ul>
<li>he/she requests an application fee waiver (this is rather late in the process; generally, one does this with his/her school's help/support);</li>
<li>he/she comes into the process through Questbridge or one of the other programs designed to increase lower-income students' college access;</li>
<li>the student approaches the college, giving some of the particulars of his/her situation, or</li>
<li>someone (such as a guidance counselor, employer, coach, volunteer supervisor, pastor, teacher, or alumna/alumnus) approaches the school, giving some of the particulars of the student's situation.</li>
</ul>
<p>Many top schools have summer programs and fall vistation programs that are designed to help attract high-performing low-income students. It is very much in a student's interest to try to start the college process a bit early and get identified in his/her junior year to a few schools that really interest him/her (and that are realistic possibilities, taking into account whether each school seems to be giving "tips" or preferences in admission to lower-income applicants) so that he/she has a chance at these programs. Best of all would be to get involved in a program like Questbridge as they will do all the identifying for the student and give him/her college counseling and other help.</p>
<p>
[QUOTE]
Best of all would be to get involved in a program like Questbridge
[/QUOTE]
QFE</p>
<p>Even though I didn't get the scholarship, being a Finalist helped tons in the admissions process (mainly fee waivers).</p>
<p>i seem to be getting mixed responses... but i appreciate the help :). here's my confusion: zspot is suggesting (i think) that they will look at my fafsa and see I'm low-income, whereas grace has basically said that they must find out directly, whether through a phone call, a letter, an essay, or a questbridge application, that I've faced financial hardship. </p>
<p>anyone know for sure? is it worth trying to contact the school and outright telling them "HEY! I'M POOR! LET ME IN!" to make sure they got the message? (if so... anyone have any more rational methods of doing this?)</p>
<p>It really depends. First off, wealth really shouldn't have an impact on your application. The college needs wealthy applicants to pay tuiton and keep the endowment high, while it likes to take less-fortunate kids because it helps create diversity. student06905, did your parents go to college? that stat is more telling of how amherst will recieve you than exactly how much money you have. </p>
<p>Also, are you a minority applicant? Poor + minority is what a school like amherst loves. It shows you really fought hard, and are very hungry, plus you are a very diverse applicant.</p>
<p>They won't look through your forms to find out if you are poor or not. You could show them that you are underprivileged by requesting a fee waiver, applying through programs like questbridge, and/or writing about your struggles through your essays (probably your best option). If you have not gone through any tough challenges, then your "low-income" status is vastly meaningless.</p>
<p>It would be really good if someone could do it for you (that's more comfortable for you and then, in your interactions with the college, you can present who you are without having to emphasize the economics so much -- though I'd agree that focusing in your essay on having overcome obstacles is probably a good approach). </p>
<p>That's a major advantage of a program like Questbridge -- association with the program automatically identifies your economic situation to colleges so you don't have to do it. </p>
<p>Your guidance counselor may be able to help you come up with a strategy that you are comfortable following.</p>
<p>If you are an athlete, your coach may be able to pick up the phone and talk to their coach, let him/her know about your circumstances, and ask how you should proceed.</p>
<p>If you are going to do it yourself, the best strategy that comes to mind is to write a letter to the Director of Admissions, expressing your interest in the college, maybe saying a little about yourself and your interests and strengths, and then saying that you are aware that colleges sometimes waive application fees. Briefly explain your financial circumstances (if any of these factors apply to you, be sure to mention them as well: first generation in America, first one in your family to go to college, serious illness or disability causing financial drain on the family, parent works several jobs to try to get by, single-parent household, or member of an underrepresented minority). Ask whether you might qualify for a waiver from Amherst and, if so, what you will need to do to apply for one.</p>
<p>Don't send this as an email; send it as an actual letter. Polish it. Proofread it. Have other people proofread it. View it as your chance to introduce yourself to the college.</p>
<p>Once they have the letter, you have their attention. You look good (organized, planning ahead, interested in Amherst). They are looking for strong students who are from lower-income backgrounds. They must have some special list they'll put your name on. Then I think you should start getting special mailings from the college. </p>
<p>However you let them know, try to do it soon as the colleges that have special summer programs or open houses for lower-income students are probably gearing up now -- I don't know what the timing is, but I'm guessing they are working on it as people need to make plans.</p>
<p>In terms of how they know, I don't think anyone knows for sure, (but I do remember there being a place to check off on the app that FA was requested) but suffice it to say, our zip code and school do not send up red flags for being poor, yet D was accepted, and based on geography and finances was invited to Diversity Accepted Students Weekend. The FA was terrific, or she wouldn't be there as a sophomore. Also, apply to Diversity Student's Weekend at Amherst. They will pay your way, and that will give them the thumbs up that you are poor.</p>
<p>Grace--- I've actually already applied to Amherst (I'm a senior), so I think a request for a fee-waiver this far down the line would seem a little odd. I think that Diversity Student's Weekend might be a good idea, however. I couldn't find any information about it on the website, so maybe I'll send them an e-mail asking for more information and explaining my circumstances.</p>
<p>Sorry, I asssumed you were a junior. Didn't realize you'd already applied. Try to let them know as soon as possible. Did your guidance counselor mention your financial circumstances in the school's part of your application? Can your guidance counselor help you now by picking up the phone and talking with someone at Amherst, emphasizing your circumstances? A bit awkward but it might help.</p>
<p>They are really far down the line in the admissions process at this point.</p>
<p>That's okay. I actually just e-mailed them a letter briefly explaining my financial circumstances and asking for more information on diversity student weekend. I've never had the opportunity to visit Amherst due to financial concerns, so the e-mail was completely legitimate--I could really use a free trip to Amherst (if accepted) so that I can see the campus and make my decision. Hopefully I sent it in time for them to place in my file so they have a little more of an understanding about my circumstances when looking at my application.</p>
<p>Wow an EFC of 3k is low income? Mine's only 400...</p>
<p>Considering the sticker price of Amherst/any private institution, I think it's pretty low-income. Buy to be honest, I'm a little bit afraid that I filled out some part of FAFSA incorrectly, and my EFC is too high. I'm gonna have to work it out once I receive aid packages.</p>