Don't tell ADCOMs the other schools you're applying to?

[Chankovsky]

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Is it really that bad if they know what other schools you are applying to. I'm sure some of them might ask this question

 

[Odaroloc]

Is it really that bad if they know what other schools you are applying to. I'm sure some of them might ask this question

I dont think it matters, because in the end they know where you get in (not where you gett waitlisted though) before they have to make a decision on you. If they want you they take you. Most likely they will not ask where else you applied (although I am sure it does happen to some people).

 

[leechy]

It's tough. It's hard to completely lie about it when directly asked especially when it hits December and they're asking "Is this your first interview?". Under some direct questioning, I ended up admitting to a student interviewer about another place I had interviewed at, but qualified it with some negative comments about that other school. HOpefully it won't affect me. What a stupid process...

 

[DGhiker]

I was asked this exact question (very directly) at one of my interviews earlier this month and I tried to hem and haw and give broad responses (Well, I want to stay close to my family in NY so I used that as a major criteria, blah, blah, blah), but she wouldn't give up until I absolutely spilled the beans about specific schools. She just wouldn't rest until she got the actual names out of me. I didn't run down the whole list, but she specifically wanted to know what other schools I applied to in NYC, and I was basically forced to tell her. So I guess be prepared for this and know that sometimes, there's no way around it.

 

[CaMD]

I got asked point blank what other schools I applied to. I just named a couple of them. (I certainly wasn't about to rattle off the whole list.) I don't have any advice about how to handle it, they know darn well you applied other places, so if they ask you have to say SOMETHING.

I don't know that its a great idea to say negative things about other schools.

 

[UCLAstudent]

I've gotten asked this at every interview. I think part of it is because interviewers want to know what a CA resident is doing interviewing at their school. I have no problem with telling where else I've interviewed, and I don't think it has any bearing on whether or not I get in. Schools know that applicants would be foolish to not consider several options!

 

[bewitched1081]

although it's always good to give an honest response, i dont see how this information can be used in any way except against the interviewee. well there is a small possibility that if the adcom really likes a student it will try to compete with other schools in regards to financial aid and such.

 

[bigdan]

I've been asked at every interview, and always answered honestly and in stages: "Where else have you applied?" gets the response "I applied to 20 schools and sent back 16 secondaries. Would you like to know which ones?" If they want to know, I run down the list. My scope is so broad from a reputational standpoint that I don't know that I can be put into a category for which type of school I'm applying to.

I was also asked which school would I go to if I got into all; that was more difficult to answer. I did run down factors that were important to me, so I was vague enough to not say one specifc favorite. I did work in there that an extra aid money would definitely be a leverage factor...

dc

 

[wxl31]

how would the information be used against you? maybe i'm naive. i don't get it.

 

[bewitched1081]

how would the information be used against you? maybe i'm naive. i don't get it.

for example, if they know that you've interviewed at higher ranked schools, then they might be less willing to hand out an acceptance to you.

 

[LaurieB]

I think the folks who ask this are often more curious than anything. One of my interviewers here at Loyola asked me in my interview. I was paranoid and gave a vague answer saying something like how many in each geographical region I was applying to. Then, at orientation, he asked me again and I told him all the details. It seemed to me that he genuinely was curious to see what other schools Loyola applicants are applying to. Probably just wanted to know who the competition was.

In the end, they know that you are aplying to more than just their school and you have to convince them that you would attend if accepted. That doesn't change whether they know where else you've applied or not.

My 2 pennies!
Laurie

PS Listen to Odaroloc - she knows her stuff!!! =)

 

[freaker]

I think it could be to your benefit. For instance, I primarily applied to schools in the southeast, with two in the midwest and one in the far west. A school like Wake that weighs how likely you are to go there is going to be far happier to hear that you applied at Emory, Vandy, and Tulane than NYU, Mt. Sinai, and NYMC.

 

[Odaroloc]

Guys, try not to overthink this, it will drive you crazy...be honest and be enthusiastic.

And LaurieB is a great guy😉