<p>Hunt,</p>
<p>There are a number of approaches one could use. For instance, since we know that SAT scores are highly correlated with family income, we could look for performance (i.e. scores) that exceed the score predicted from family income. We know that part time jobs adversely affect academic performance. We also know that some SES kids work in order to help out their family. We could identify and evaluate these kids. And so forth. </p>
<p>Finally, one could look at what Julian Stanley did in his Study of Exceptional Talent, where he used the SAT on kids under 12 years old as a screen to identify mathematically precocious youth. There are limitations to this approach that are way beyond the scope of this discussion, but his pioneering work would be thought provoking to anyone seriously interested in finding talent “in the rough”, as Dr. Stanley did. </p>
<p>Perhaps elite colleges do this or something similar already. But independent published research shows that, holding HS grades and test scores constant, there is NO advantage for kids coming from lower income families, so I doubt any weight is given to these factors.</p>