<p>I am wondering, do students have an advantage if they don't have to apply for financial aid? Does anyone know how much of an advantage it is? I'm not talking about ivys but top LAC's.</p>
<p>My point of view: it does not make a difference at top LACs. I could be wrong.</p>
<p>not all of them are need blind, you need to check each one.</p>
<p>It's impossible to draw any conclusions based on personal experiences. Students who needed financial aid, and were still admitted to top LACs will beg to differ, while those who needed aid and denied admission will agree that it affects the oucome. Similarly, students not requesting aid, and gaining admission may think that it helped them, while those who were denied will say that it was irrelevant.</p>
<p>From the school's point of view, if they are need-blind, they don't care if the student is applying for aid. While if they are not need-blind, they may possibly select more full-freight applicants. But who's to know?</p>
<p>I would put it this way. If there is any advantage, it's likely to be to those who pay full fare. The following "Primer for Change" article on the Union College admissions office website has provided guidance to some parents for several years: <a href="http://www.union.edu/Admissions/PerfectSchool/PrimerInChange.php#6%5B/url%5D">http://www.union.edu/Admissions/PerfectSchool/PrimerInChange.php#6</a></p>
<p>Excerpt:
'There are very few if any truly need-blind colleges, the schools that admit students without regard to their need for financial assistance. As you assemble a list of prospective colleges, try to ascertain the role that aid-requesting will or wont play in your childs evaluation. At most colleges the odds favor full pay applicants, especially when credentials are comparable. In these days of $30,000-plus per year private college fees, it is common to see a majority of students receiving aid. Aid budgets are bigger than ever but they are still finite, and the shift from need-based to merit-based aid at many schools has had a profound effect on both budgets and admissions strategies. Apply for aid if you need it but be aware that this might have an impact on your childs candidacy."</p>
<p>check this discussion for more opinions:</p>
<p>"paying full tuition"</p>
<p>and here too, "Paying full freight & ED"</p>
<p>and, without the ED, "Paying full freight"</p>
<p>This forum has a good search function.</p>
<p>mackinaw--great excerpt from Union College. I think the paragraph hits the nail on the head and answers the question asked by OP.</p>
<p>I remember reading the College Handbook from one private high school in which the topic of "hooks" was discussed. One hook listed, and one that I hadn't considered a hook before, was--full fare payer.</p>
<p>Thank you NJres for searching. I hadn't thought about it, sorry. It's very confusing. Some posters feel that high achieving males who can pay at LAC's are at an advantage and others disagree. </p>
<p>mackinaw, thank you for the excerpt from Union. </p>
<p>I was curious. I don't want to post particulars but it seems that some kids were accepted into schools, while others (seemingly more qualified students) were waitlisted. I just wondered if the ability to pay was the factor.</p>
<p>Ability to pay can be a factor, but may not be THE factor. So many factors can have been THE factor or have played a part--Tufts Syndrome, institutional needs (bassoonist, quarterback, Russian language major, more Hispanic scholars, etc.), legacy, etc. Without having access to all the facts, we'll never know.</p>
<p>in addition to the factors mentioned by ellem, it also depends on your kid's total package, including stats. For example, Colgate is need-aware in admissions, but also offers a merit scholarship to kids they really want (high stats, musician, artist, etc.).</p>
<p>IMO, need aware mostly affects kids on the applicant bubble.</p>
<p>I could have added that the statement by the Union College admissions office is the only such statement I have ever encountered on any college admissions office website. But I think it's a credible description of how many colleges proceed. </p>
<p>I think there is one clear strategic implication: if you really know you won't qualify for need-based aid, don't check the box on the application that says you're applying for aid (even if you don't turn in the financial forms). It could make a difference especially in your "reach" applications. (Of course, some schools ask you to complete FAFSA and so forth even if you are only hoping for merit-based awards. I never understood the logic of that, however.)</p>