<p>When they talk about looking at applications in context though, that’s what they mean. You cannot compare an applicant from Englewood (South Side Chicago) and Lake Forest (North Shore) without taking into account the environment they grew up in, where they went to school, etc. In this sense, the process is not entirely need-blind. “Need-blind” probably only means they cannot peek at FA info but they can probably guess your social stats based on what’s on the app. The Common App does ask what your parents’ occupations are and of course, where you live. In that sense, you can say all colleges that accept the Common App get that information. </p>
<p>I guess you can say it’s reverse-discrimination towards the Lake Forest student. However, even if his family needs a lot of FA, it doesn’t change the fact that the kid still benefited from the advantages of living in a wealthy community with well-resourced schools and surrounded by well-educated peers and adults. Academic standards do not need to be lowered for him as much as for the Englewood kid who grew up in a rough environment.</p>