What exactly is need-blind admissions?

I've come across the term 'need-blind' when researching colleges, and I'm not exactly sure what it implies. Could someone explain what need-blind admissions mean and how it might impact my application process? Thanks a lot!

Need-blind admissions is a policy followed by certain colleges and universities in which they evaluate applicants for admission without taking the applicants' financial need into consideration. Essentially, this means that your ability to pay for college won't have any bearing on whether or not you are admitted to the institution.

This policy can be beneficial for students who require significant financial assistance, as it ensures that their financial circumstances will not hinder their chances of being admitted. Schools that practice need-blind admissions typically have generous financial aid packages, although this may not always be the case. It's essential to research each institution's financial aid policies to get a clear understanding of what kind of aid you might expect.

On the other hand, there are colleges that follow a "need-aware" or "need-sensitive" admissions policy. In these cases, the applicant's financial need may play a role in the admissions decision, especially when resources for financial aid are limited. This could potentially have an impact on the chances of being accepted for students who require significant financial assistance.

If need-blind admissions is important to you, it would be a good idea to include schools with this policy in your list of colleges. Some well-known need-blind institutions in the US include Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and Vanderbilt, among others. Do note, however, that merely being need-blind does not guarantee that a college will meet 100% of your demonstrated financial need, so always pay attention to each school's financial aid policies in your research.

In summary, need-blind admissions means that your financial need will not be taken into consideration when applying for admission to a college or university. This policy may be a valuable factor in your application process, particularly if you require financial assistance. Be sure to research the financial aid policies of each institution on your list to accurately understand what kind of aid you can expect.