THe fact of the matter is that most schools DON"T look at need or demonstrated interest (looking at order ot ISFAA or whatever) for the simple reason that it’s a madhouse during admissions season, and there are a lot of “i’s” that need to be dotted and “t’s” that need to be crossed that are important to a university, and the Admissions Officers and employees are busy enough dealing with those things. There isn’t time to sit there an Asian count or try to figure how much aid someone is going to need (Big difference whether a student needs $5K or $50K), whether the high stat kids will be scooped up by a more highly rated school. It’s enough to make your head spin, all of that stuff. Plus Admissions and FIn aid at most colleges are separate depts, sometimes far from each other, and often not compatible. And most of them try to do be professional, upstanding and fair.
That’s quite a relief to hear that. Thanks @cptofthehouse