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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I agree with OP too. I had assumed the best in the system until I saw this article in the NYT Thursday (Sorry, it's paywalled, but one of the key underlying files it links to is not paywalled)
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/business/college-tuition-price-consultants.html
Underlying file by "enrollment" consultancy: https://pages.eab.com/rs/732-GKV-655/images/EMS-FAO-StrategicUseofGrantAid-WP.pdf

This shows that there is a lot of manipulation AT LEAST after admissions offers are made, to increase yield. I consider it dishonest for universities to make it appear that a student is getting "merit aid" when it's really a form of discount to get them to enroll (as the article/linked file illustrate), but it's not really even a discount because the published cost of attendance is inflated. (e.g., cost of attendance is $70k/yr, student is offered $20k/yr in merit aid, yet net cost of attendance is $30k/yr.). 
It would not surprise me if this kind of algorithm-based analysis is happening for admissions as well (after all, yield is driven not only by accepted admissions offers but also by the admitted applications.)
Ihis blog by an admissions counseling firm also argues that Ivies' "need blind" thing is a myth. (it points out to the recent lawsuit settlement). https://www.ivycoach.com/the-ivy-coach-blog/college-admissions/need-blind-admission-farce/[/quote]

Some old threads here talk about this a lot - the info they ask for is intentional. 
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/30/1221854.page#28126024

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/105/1217721.page#28111566

There's a podcast that discusses need-blind and what a farce it is, too. Also, there is a predilection towards highly educated and highly compensated parents, so the better the parents' education (T25 schools and grad) and professions, the better the outcomes for the applicants.
[/quote]

Good intel in these links on what some of these parent fields mean and why they are important.

Everything that they ask in the common app is done with intention. Figure out what to disclose so it’s done in a way that’s advantageous to your kids application. You can definitely massage some of the stuff. 
[/quote]

I think this intel may not be as relevant today. For several years, many podcasts and consultants have dissuaded students from including any “indicators” of wealth on their application (certain summer programs, parent’s job titles, sibling’s colleges, etc.). Colleges want rich kids now more than ever. I think including these indicators might be a good thing next year with all the funding cuts. Maybe I am wrong though. [/quote]

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