I have seen in previous write ups in multiple locations that Wes is not ‘need blind’, they are ‘need aware’. Is this still true?
the resident expert on Wes is @circuitrider .
The version I hear over and over is that they are need aware for about the last 3% or so of the class. More than 95% of the class is admitted w/o regard to ability to pay.
The current campaign, which ended very successfully (over $85 million above the $400 million goal and counting) is primarily focused on financial aid … Roth from what I can tell is being very judicious on capital spend and focusing on rebuilding the endowment, which at last report (2015) was around $840 million. I don’t know that the new number is out yet.
With Roth’s discipline as a pres (say what you will about him - he is not a spend thrift), together with having Anne Martin running the Investments Office (Google her if you don’t know who she is) and vastly improved fundraising should hold Wesleyan in good stead on this point.
I am assuming that the first priority is to eliminate the small % of need-aware admits and to get back to 100% need blind status as soon as feasible.
Thanks for this information. I am getting ready to tackle financial aid forms etc and I know that my daughter has her heart set on Wes. i just want to make sure that I have enough information to help us make the correct decision… I thought that I had a handle on the college admission process - think again! This process is truly challenging. This site & post have been very helpful
You’re welcome. @circuitrider will weigh in here in short order. He/she has great insight into Wesleyan, a school with which I have been very impresssed.
Thanks, @MiddleburyDad2! There’s not much more I can add except that I am sure Wesleyan’s main goal is to be as affordable as possible to as many people as possible while competing every year with some of the wealthiest colleges and universities in the country for the brightest, most interesting, first-year class they can assemble. To the OP - Your daughter is very lucky to have such a devoted parent in her corner. Good luck to you. 
From what I can see - Wes has a very good financial aid plan. I tried using the calculator and I think we would be in good shape. I just became concerned when I found out about Need Aware. At least now I have a better understanding.
^ Right. I think the take-away is, if Wes wants to admit your kid, they will. I wouldn’t want to be a borderline admit as they are wrapping up the very last few decisions if I needed money. Otherwise it’s not an issue.