<p>You don’t seriously believe that Adcom’s know how to use Google or Linkedin? They don’t need a guidance counselor telling them who owns what- they have computers, a last name, and a mailing address. Within 5 seconds they can have everything they need about a kids socio-economic status on their screen. And for HS kids who post photos of their winter vacation in Jamaica and February break in Aspen and April in Cancun-- you don’t need to be Nancy Drew to be an admissions officer and figure out which kids at the prep school are living the high life at age 17.</p>
<p>It was a big deal when my alma mater went from need aware to need blind. I think colleges in general take their responsibility to society (however they define it- but for sure trying to extend the advantages of higher education to kids whose parents did not go to college or grew up in disadvantaged circumstances) very seriously. Not enough money to admit every kid in America with need, that’s reality.</p>