I still wonder when an applicant would care if a school is need blind or need aware. With most schools giving aid to over half of students, it seems that admission chances aren’t affected very much. A full payer doesn’t create a safety at a need-aware match school, nor is a needy applicant eliminated. It just seems (to me) that applying to as many match schools as is practical, that one likes, is the best policy (along with one or two safeties, maybe a reach or two), ignoring need aware/blind.
“And they can’t just assume by parents’ occupation or zip code.”
Actually I think the former is a pretty good example of how a need-blind college can get an idea. If both parents have an MD, it’s unlikely that student will be getting need-based aid.
And I think it’s pretty obvious why a student would care. If one student is an average, unhooked full pay applicant at a need-aware school, and another student is hypothetically exactly the same but can only afford 10k, I think both students should know that their financial need will affect their chances. You’ve said before that only traits of the student have an impact on admissions chances; at need-aware schools, family income is a student trait.
Two MDs could qualify for aid with several in college at the same time. Or if their jobs were lower paying, eg, for non profits, focusing on poor communities, teaching, etc. In fact, several MDs teach at my kids’ former hs.
“If one student is an average, unhooked full pay applicant at a need-aware school, and another student is hypothetically exactly the same but can only afford 10k, I think both students should know that their financial need will affect their chances.”
Yes, but does it affect their actions? Assuming the school meets full need, both should apply. That’s what I mean by not caring. Yes, their chances are potentially different, but both like the school equally and are equal matches. Neither changes their mind if the school suddenly flips to need blind, either.
^ Assuming you have some good sense of match (and what that may mean, beyond stats.) A family should care about the right balance in chances. I can imagine throwing darts and being disappointed.
I didn’t think the question was whether any give kid should apply. Question is whether it will be an advantage to apply as a full pay student. Seems to me the answer is it certainly cannot hurt and may well help. Even if the school claims to be need blind (because its a lot easier to say you are than to actually be). Just another thumb on the scale in your favor (like a whole host of advantages that a given application may bring). May not be the deciding factor though.
And that someone with two parents who are both MDs may not be full pay doesn’t change the fact that having such parents increases the odds of being full pay (by a lot actually). Schools are playing the odds as well in this case.
No such thing as “truly need blind” because as others have pointed out, you can always get a sense as to someone’s need (or perceived need).
“Need blind” really means “need is not consciously factored into the decision to admit or reject” whereas “need aware” means “need is consciously factored into the decision to admit or reject.”
Just because it’s possible doesn’t mean every school cares. NYU is truly need blind; they don’t care since they don’t meet full need (relatively low endowment), admitting three times as many applicants as actually enroll (“If you can afford it, you’re welcome!”). Other truly need blind schools that do meet full need (high endowment) also don’t care; they want the best at any cost, and can afford it.