<p>to someone new to this whole process, I would choose:</p>
<p>1) Understand what "need blind" means. It DOES NOT mean what "blind" means in a science experiment (as in "double blind" - when the scientist does not know who is getting the drug and who is getting the placebo). The adcoms know precisely who has need and who does not. Rather, it simply means they are not supposed to CONSIDER need. (Financial aid corollary: EFC is NOT a guarantee of anything - the max you have to pay, the max you'll get, whatever).</p>
<p>2) Understand that a specific, objective standard for admission to elite schools does NOT exist. It is so sad to hear students and their parents endlessly repeat: "But I (or S or D) had a higher rank/GPA/SAT scores than so-and-so, but so-and-so got in!" (Corollary: "So-and-so took MY SPOT!"). No matter how much I repeat it (I was an ivy interviewer who still does counseling), I cannot seem to get through people's heads that (as I always say), selecting a class is selecting a community, NOT holding people up to a grid of numbers. I cannot stress this one point strongly enough, but I guarantee that when the acceptances come in, people will fall right back into this. (Another corollary: being a Valedictorian or having a 1600 also does not guarantee admission - and again, no one "took your spot!").</p>
<p>3) I'd like to repeat # 2 again, but for #3 I think I'd say, read "The Gatekeepers" or a similar book for some invaluable behind-the-scenes info.</p>
<p>I know there are parents out there who also interview and counsel and probably have more advice....</p>