Ethics of "need-blind" claim for Colleges using Common App

[BelknapPoint]

There are 3 spots on the Common App where the applicant may have to reveal more than they want to:

1. in the PROFILE section under the citizenship question: “Social Security Number, required if applying for financial aid via FAFSA”
2. in the PROFILE section under the Common App Fee Waiver question: “Do you feel that your financial circumstances might qualify you for an application fee waiver?” (if answer is YES, then applicant has to reveal if they are eligible for federal, state or local aid for low-income families)
3. in the MY COLLEGES section under school-specific questions: “Do you intend to pursue need-based financial aid” (YES/NO answer mandatory!!)

If a college is truly “need-blind” why do they get to see these answers before rendering an admissions decision?

Just because the applicant enters information on the Common App does not necessarily mean that an admissions offcer sees that information.