Why do people say that low-income gives an applicant an advantage? Aren’t most of the Ivies need-blind?
<p>Yes but it's not like they can't tell through your app. If you write about working for your dad's law firm, they know you are rich. If you say you worked at a grocery store to provide for your family, they will know you are not rich. It is a plus because the top schools want to get a certain number of poorer kids, and because the college expects less of you in every way if you were raised in a low income bracket and an unprestigious public school.</p>
<p>I agree with drummerdude. An applicant who went to a poor public school can afford to have lower SAT's and weaker EC's than an applicant who went to a top prestigious high school and probably extensive SAT tutoring classes.</p>
<p>Need-blind means that an applicant will not be denied admission based on inability to pay for tuition and such. It is based specifically on the money itself, while being from a low-income home is a boost in admissions because of how it affects the student's educational (and other) opportunities, not because of the income itself.</p>
<p>Thanks dufus, also on the SAT front is the idea of some that says the SAT is biased against the poorer class or minorities. I really don't buy it, but if the adcom does, that is all that matters.</p>
<p>This is not as much of a tip factor as is often portrayed here. Northstarmom's post today on the parent's forcum, something to the effect of wealth has it's benefits, shows this.</p>
<p>I think the real deal is that you better be really rich, as in developmental case, or you better be poor. True, if you are poor you have to have good stats, but if you are non-developmental rich, you have to have great stats. The only real adantage for non-d wealthy is that the college doesn't have to fit them into their fin aid budget. This is especially true when it comes to getting accepted off the waitlist.</p>
<p>I think income can be a plus, as long as you play your cards right.. ex.| You wrote in the work experience box that you work 30-40 hours a week at a grocery store to support your family and save for college, etc.</p>