<p>I've applied to a need-blind college, which sent me a letter requiring me to provide my parents' income statements. I thought this was a sign of admission, 'cause the school is NEED-BLIND admission policy. Then I received email from the financial aid office, "Your file will be sent to an Assistant Director for an aid package to be determined. You'll receive the award letter along with your letter of acceptance to XXX college." This is the officer's original words. </p>
<p>Now I got denied by it, though many of my friends got waitlisted. I have decent scores, strong recs, fine essays, impressive ECs. I have no idea what to do now. What do you guys think about my case? Thank you for any words in advance!</p>
<p>It is impossible for schools to wait until admissions decisions are made to review financial aid files, and then get packages together in time to get them out to students with the acceptance offers. Financial aid calculations are being made in parallel (at the same time) as admissions decisions are being made. Being asked for additional information is not, and never has been, an indication of admission, whether a school is need-blind or not.</p>
<p>Unless the school has a formal appeal policy which you follow, or you have an strong information that they misread something or lost a part of your application, you have little chance of an appeal. Simply saying, "You must have made a mistake because I'm better than X who you accepted" is not grounds for an appeal.</p>
<p>Sorry, but the best you can do is grieve for a while, then move on to the schools that have accepted you.</p>
<p>I'd interpret it as "You'll get your package with your acceptance if you get accepted," but just leaving off the last clause. Badly written.</p>
<p>I'm not sure if they'll determine every FA package; they may get a list of "definitely not admitted" early on in the process and don't do those; they do the "definite admit" and the "maybe" throughout the admissions cycle. That's why the FA deadline is pretty early.</p>