Colleges routinely boast about being "need blind" in admissions, meaning that they consider applicants without regard to their ability to pay. But even if they are need blind, and a new survey suggests they are, that may be very different from being an institution that any academically qualified student can actually attend.

Jess H. Lord, dean of admissions and financial aid at Haverford College, says that "up until Friday I've been telling anyone who would listen to me to get ready because I assumed ED numbers would drop." He said it was "absolutely my assumption that ED would be hit hard by the economy -- that applying ED would be seen as a luxury and folks would hold off." "ED" is admissions lingo for early decision, in which applicants apply early and pledge, if admitted, to enroll.