Need-blind for transfer student? Really?

[bostonceltics3]

<p>It is said on the MIT website that the financial aid policy for transfer students is exactly the same as freshman admission - need-blind.</p>

<p>However, after several considerations (listed below), I become unsure about how "blind" they are going to be.</p>

<p>1) Every transfer applicant is asked to specify in the application form whether he/she plans to apply for aid. Can it be translated to the fact that financial need does go into the application process?</p>

<p>2) Transfer admission goes after freshman admission, which means that MIT will have been quite sure whether they have additional sources left by that time. For almost all school, funds are kind of exhausted after freshman selection.</p>

<p>3) The volitiliy of current national and global financial situation. (MIT has lost over 20% over their endowments)</p>

<p>I know that it look paranoid, especially given that MIT has restated their need-blind policy recently.</p>

<p>But what if they have furtively opened their eyes a little bit for transfers?</p>

[molliebatmit]

<p>If they said they were need-blind but weren't, that would be lying.</p>

<p>MIT is actually need-blind for all applicants: domestic, international, transfer. Even though MIT has lost money in the current financial crisis, financial aid is still a top priority, and admissions remains committed to a need-blind policy.</p>

<p>Incidentally, although transfer financial aid evaluations come after freshman financial aid evaluations, continuing student financial aid evaluations come even later than that. MIT's funds aren't exhausted after freshman aid is offered, or else there wouldn't be anything left for sophomores, juniors, and seniors.</p>

[bostonceltics3]

<p>Thanks!</p>

<p>Very insightful and reliable.</p>

[fiona_1]

<p>1) The reason that transfer students need to specify (as do undergrad applicants) is so that the FinAid office will know to expect applications from those students, and not others.</p>