<p>Need-blind means that the school doesn't look at your finances until after you're admitted ? So, if you're from a very wealthy family, with assets worth millions, but you're SAT 1/SAT 2s and GPA are mediocre/not too good, they don't look at income ? And if you're from a really poor family with no savings, in a family of 5, with really high GPA/Rank/Scores, they don't look at income in this case either ? If need-blind really means they don't look at your income until after you're admitted, how do admissions people know these stats are excellent for a poverty-line student , or are just mediocre for an affluent student from a private school ? (I mean, provided in your essay, you don't write "well, i came from a disadvantaged family, and I used all my opportunities....).</p>
<p>Need blind only means tht your ability to pay will not be a factor in the admissions process (note: most U.S. Schools are not need blind to international applicants).</p>
<p>I do think at some level need blind is a bit of a misnomer because schools are not totally "need blind" when on the first page of the application, there is a check box stating - Are you applying for financial aid?</p>
<p>IF you are using a fee waiver, they usually are big colorful things</p>
<p>Your application asks what do your parents do for a living, their education, other siblings in college and where do they attend, what school you attend, your address. It asks you about your EC, if you work, where and how many hours a week do you work.</p>
<p>Your school profile usually has the demographics of the community that it serves; percentage of students that qualify for free lunch, graduation rate, what percentage attend 2/ 4 year school and the schools they attend.</p>
<p>admissions officers have been doing this for a long time, most reps know their geographic territory well, it is up to you to make sure that your essays, recommendations, GC report help to give a full picture of you.</p>