However, some attributes are more correlated with higher SES than others. E.g. SAT/ACT tends to have a stronger association with SES than grades (despite greater grade inflation in higher SES schools). Similarly, with ECs, playing on an expensive travel sports team may be associated with different SES levels versus working to help support one’s family. Of course, legacy and development are associated with higher SES.
Adjusting the weight given to such criteria with an eye on how it affects the SES levels of the admit class can be used by colleges to tune the SES distribution of the admit class without having to be need-aware for individual applicants.