<p>ParentOfIvyHope is incorrect on all counts. Colleges do not consider so called potential. I challenge him to present evidence to the contrary. If FA offices engaged in this practice, it would amount to University approval of the idea that one should always pursue the most lucrative career. In fact, elite universities are taking the opposite stance, as they encourage grads to pursue careers in fields other than finance and consulting, often funding paid post-graduate internships as an incentive. Even if financial aid offices did engage in this practice, which they don’t, it would not make a difference for the OP except on her Princeton application, as no other school would know where her parents went to school.</p>