<p>Does the ability to pay w/out financial aid or anything give a person a slight edge or anything?</p>
<p>I believe it is true to some extent for the state schools in California. Over the last several years, the Cal States and UC’s have increased their acceptances for OOS and International students plus the schools are notoriously stingy with financial aid for these OOS and International Students. Accepting these students make sense financially for the schools and I have seen several acceptances with lower STATS than in-state students. No bias for OOS and Internationals, but just what I have observed.</p>
<p>Yes, if you look at NYT, other surveys, etc. about 1/2 of public and 1/3 of private colleges actively look for those who are able to pay. However, several ivies and some public universities are “need-blind”</p>