Schools wanting to know what programs you apply to?

[georgia2009]

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Hello Everyone!

I am curious to know how others feel about programs asking what other programs you're applying to or plan to apply to? I honestly hate that some schools do this!!! Any thoughts? If anyone has been faced with this situation what do you think?

 

[southernswimmer]

Mercer asked on their supplemental app. I was honestly a little skeptical about it, especially since I applied to a couple programs that are "more prestigious" than theirs (Duke, Wash U). I don't think it affected anything, since they granted me an interview.

Maybe they're curious? Maybe they ask to make sure you're not applying to a million programs for fun and giggles? Who knows.

 

[MisplacedLondoner]

My pre-health advisor at school told me that schools aren't technically supposed to ask that- at least not in interviews. Her thought was that if a school sees you have applied to "better" (and I use that SO loosely) programs or more prestigious schools than theirs, and they see you have really good stats, they might consider you likely to get into those other programs as well. If they consider it a better or more prestigious program they assume you do too, and would thus take that seat over theirs, so they might decide to reject you on the basis they want to offer the seat to someone they think will actually take it.

I have no idea if that's true, but it's certainly something to think about.

It makes me hesitant to list other schools, and on that note, do you think it's ok to just leave that answer blank? Northeastern asks that too and I'm not sure I'm completely comfortable answering....

 

[DesertPT]

It makes me hesitant to list other schools, and on that note, do you think it's ok to just leave that answer blank? Northeastern asks that too and I'm not sure I'm completely comfortable answering....

Honesty is always, always, always the best policy. You ultimately are taking huge risks if you try to game the system (in any way, not just in this way). If it is a required question on a supplemental, just answer it honestly. If it's an optional question, then you have a decision to make. But I'd still say it's best to just answer it.