<p>If a student puts down doctor/lawyer/professional for parent’s occupation and they are from certain areas of the country/live in certain suburbs and attended certain high schools, the ad coms will definitely get the idea that this particular person probably had a more “adventageous” upbringing/background. Without being absolutely certain, of course, the ad coms will assume this person had multiple opportunities for test prep, AP’s (from school profile), “elite” sports opportunities (squash, sailing, lacrosse), etc. Without really asking, the Common App and other admissions paperwork gives alot for the ad coms to work with, even if one does not file fafsa or other financial forms.</p>