When the College eliminated need-blind admissions in 1994, debate over its effects on student diversity surrounded the decision. Advocates of need-blind admissions contended it allowed all students, regardless of economic status, an equal opportunity of acceptance. Opponents argued that the new structure would allow the College to meet all demonstrated need and would not affect the diversity of students.
Now, with two years of demographic and financial statistics to review, the actual effects show that the elimination of need blind admissions has not effected the diversity of the student body considerably and has allowed to College to meet all demonstrated financial need.
According to Director of Financial Aid Howard Thomas, Oberlin was unable to meet the entire need of students who needed financial aid before 1994. There was a gap between students' demonstrated financial need and the amount of aid the student received. Although Thomas said that on the bottom line there has to be some financial discrimination in the admission process, he emphasized the trade-off that had to be made for a sound economic policy. He maintains the admissions staff must make "sound fiscal decisions."
Thomas said the dilemma of "I want vs. affordability" could be described by the question: "How do we balance keeping our doors opened to needy students with keeping our doors open?"
Now, as students' financial need is considered in the application process, all admitted receive 100 percent of their demonstrated need. According to Thomas, students now wanting to come to Oberlin can do so without financial concerns.
Those who supported need blind admissions said its abolition would effect the diversity of students and make the admissions process unfair. The statistics from the last two years dispute this idea, as does Thomas.
Thomas said those students clearly admissible are admitted, and those clearly inadmissible are rejected, regardless of financial status. The issue of finance is a deciding factor for only the final five percent of the applicant pool, according to Thomas. Therefore the process is virtually need blind for the first 95 percent of the applicant pool.
The amount of aid distributed to each student has increased every year since the elimination of need-blind admissions, according to Thomas. The average need of students was $16,800 in 1994; $17,500 in 1995; and $18,817 in 1996.
The biggest effect of the new policy on the Office of Financial Aid has been its effect on their budget, however. The office gets its income from the interest from the College's endowment. Since the office's expenses are less, more money continues to earn interest in the bank.
Another reason for switching away from need-blind was the lack of financial support the College gets from Federal financial aid programs. These programs have not increased their allowance to students over the past few years, leaving more for the College to make up.
| Student Body Characteristics Before and After Need Blind | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SAT scores: | ||||||
| Year | Percentage Black | Percentage Asian-American | Percentage Latino | Verbal | Math | Average need (when available) |
| 1992 | 7.5% | 10% | 3.0% | 605 | 635 | N/A |
| 1993 | 7.8% | 10% | 3.5% | 599 | 626 | N/A |
| 1994 (need blind ends) | 6.9% | 9.6% | 3.9% | 609 | 630 | $16,800 |
| 1995 | 7.8% | 9.5% | 4% | 601 | 629 | $17,500 |
| 1996 | 7.4% | 9.3% | 4.4% | 670 | 633 | $18,817 |
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