<p>Lets assume the candidate is applying to a (true) “needs blind” college with a significant endowment, one of the more select colleges close to the top 20.</p>
<p>The candidate happens to be from a family (not necessarily wealthy per se) but quite well beyond the threshold needs formulas, and the family in fact has significant resources. both in income and assets to pay for the college, assuming the candidate is accepted.</p>
<p>The question is: during the interview, is the candidate supposed to remain silent on any comments that might disclose the ability to pay? In other words, is this disclosure by the candidate deemed to taint the process whereby the admissions department would otherwise be presumed to never know one way or the other the actual financial status of the student’s family?</p>
<p>Here’s how it might come up:</p>
<li><p>Assuming the candidate applies binding ED, the candidate might for example (to explain why they are applying ED to this particular college college) mention that they prefer this college over other institutions and since they are non-needs based (and do not seek to compare offers)- it made complete sense to apply ED to this college at this time. </p></li>
<li><p>The ability to pay could for example come up when the candidate is asked why they chose X college, whereby the candidate’s reply may mention that that 2 factors: 1. opportunity to attend such a college is present and 2. the resources were also present to enroll the student. Two factors that the candidate believed they were fortunate to have.</p></li>
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<p>The bottom line question is: is it considered either: 1. poor manners 2. improper in some way 3. or an attempt to somehow gain an unfair advantage to bring up non-needs based status during an interview in an institution that is actually “needs blind”?</p>
<p>the short answer is no, need-blind schools won't care. But, when you file your app, you either check the box "Applying for FinAid?" or not. If you do not check the box, they'll know you are a full pay customer when reviewing your app.</p>
<p>Quite frankly, I'd be surprised if the interviewer is not turned off by someone who says: 'I applied to your school bcos I can afford it.' Baaaaaad answer.</p>
<p>But, if your family has millions and millions, and are likely to donate some to the school, you should get in touch with their development office -- they'll care much more than admissions will in a need-blind school.</p>
<p>Every app I have seen asks if you need financial aid on it so, need blind is not literal in that the reader of your app has no idea as to whether you are applying or not. Your address, where you go to school and other info also can give a skilled reader a good idea of where your family is on the socio economic ladder.</p>
<p>I agree with Bluebayou about making any reference to your need blind situation. It is in poor taste and foolish to discuss how strategy played a part in picking a college for admissions---especially to anyone at the college. </p>
<p>Also at a need blind college, the ability to pay does not enter into getting admitted. For those colleges that are need aware, if you are at the tail end of the admissions process, ability to pay can come into play as the school runs low on financial aid. Even then, then telling that college you are applying there because of this advantage, will not win you any points and can sour the adcom. It's not polite.</p>
<p>Appreciate the detail in both these answers -they hit the mark</p>
<p>Basically "needs blind" in effect is not literal, because the (common application) checkbox in effect would signal it one way or the other, and it would be generally be deemed impolite and unnecessary to bring up such matters during an interview</p>
<p>l</p>
<p>
[quote]
during the interview, is the candidate supposed to remain silent on any comments that might disclose the ability to pay?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>It would be considered an inappropriate question so no alumni interviewer would ask it. If you volunteer it, it will most likely **not ** not be documented but that is not to say that the interviewer may be turned off and think that you are being crass/arrogant and may document that.</p>
<p>As I explained before need blind means that should you need money the amount of money you need will not be a factor in the admissions decision. Someone who needs close to full freight will not be passed over simply because they need money. By the same token, someone who is able to pay full freight won't be admitted simply becasuse they are able to apy.</p>