<p>I understand that top colleges(Ivies, MIT, Stanford,etc..) are need blind. So how do they distinguish between affluent and low income students?
What if a low income student lived in a high middle class neighorhood?
For example, in my case, my family's(of four people) annual income is around $40,000, but it has not impacted my education that much. I am at the top of my class of 400 and have a very high gpa. Although, a tutor could have helped for standardized tests(didn't score as high as I wanted). My school sucks but I have taken advantage of all the oppurtunites given to me and more. I am first generation and Asian!!!
Would colleges be able to tell I come from a low income class because of me being first gen??</p>
<p>They often can tell by one’s parents’ jobs and education.</p>
<p>Also your GC sends a school report which includes the honors/AP type classes offered, the % of kids who go to 2yr/4yr programs, the % of kids eligible for reduced lunch (big indicator of relative economics of your school).</p>
<p>Congrats on your achievements to date. Good luck to you</p>