Secondary Question?

[gator13doc]

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So, in UF's secondary, they ask you to list the other schools to which you are applying. This is an optional question, and it is stated that it is used for demographic purposes only. Even still, I don't know how it will look with 9 other schools listed, so I was just wondering if any others had experience with this, or opinions on the matter. Thanks!

 

[Mattabet]

If you don't like it, leave it blank.

I'm sure if they say it's only for demographic purposes it is, but if you're worried about application gamesmanship, I'm also sure they won't penalize you for leaving it blank.

 

[TopSecret]

So, in UF's secondary, they ask you to list the other schools to which you are applying. This is an optional question, and it is stated that it is used for demographic purposes only. Even still, I don't know how it will look with 9 other schools listed, so I was just wondering if any others had experience with this, or opinions on the matter. Thanks!

They ask this so that they won't spend too much time or energy trying to attract students who will undoubtedly go on to Harvard, Wash U, etc.

If you are asked this question, I think it's probably okay to include a partial list. A list composed of institutions with similar MCATs and GPAs in the same geographic area. The adcom may focus more on bringing you to their school if you consider them to be one of your top choices.

 

[Mattabet]

They ask this so that they won't spend too much time or energy trying to attract students who will undoubtedly go on to Harvard, Wash U, etc.

If you are asked this question, I think it's probably okay to include a partial list. A list composed of institutions with similar MCATs and GPAs in the same geographic area. The adcom may focus more on bringing you to their school if you consider them to be one of your top choices.

👎 Disagree.

As far as 'undoubtedly going on to Harvard', they already have your application - they have some idea if you're using them as a safety school before you tell them, to the extent that sort of thing matters anyway.

But don't answer with a partial list. That torpedoes their demographic research, ostensibly the only purpose of the question; not the greatest way to start a relationship with what may be your institution.

Ultimately, this comes down to an issue of trust. If you trust that they're only using this information for demographic purposes (which I would, but I'm a trusting person, as a rule) then you should help them out and give them the information. If you're less trusting, then leave the question blank. But don't play games with them by giving false or incomplete information.

 

[TopSecret]

👎 Disagree.

As far as 'undoubtedly going on to Harvard', they already have your application - they have some idea if you're using them as a safety school before you tell them, to the extent that sort of thing matters anyway.

But don't answer with a partial list. That torpedoes their demographic research, ostensibly the only purpose of the question; not the greatest way to start a relationship with what may be your institution.

Ultimately, this comes down to an issue of trust. If you trust that they're only using this information for demographic purposes (which I would, but I'm a trusting person, as a rule) then you should help them out and give them the information. If you're less trusting, then leave the question blank. But don't play games with them by giving false or incomplete information.

I doubt that they use it for "demographic research." They are using the information to their advantage, not yours. Try asking the school for the demographics of their interviewees if you think they are so trusting. I know how the game is played and it's a good idea to know what they're up to.