"Where else did you apply?

[KPCOFGS]

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" (whoops, my bad)

Anyway, hey guys! I'm applying MSTP right now, and I'm working on Vanderbilt's secondary. My question is this: it asks us to list the other programs to which we've applied (for "data reporting"), but should I be hesitant to do so? I'm applying all over, and not only do I think this question is kind of inappropriate (no other school asks), but I'm worried the fact that I'm applying to so many other programs might make it seem like I just threw Vandy on the list on a whim.

So, should I call them and ask if I have to fill out that question? Or just suck it up and do it? Thanks for your advice! 😍

 

[QofQuimica]

" (whoops, my bad)

Anyway, hey guys! I'm applying MSTP right now, and I'm working on Vanderbilt's secondary. My question is this: it asks us to list the other programs to which we've applied (for "data reporting"), but should I be hesitant to do so? I'm applying all over, and not only do I think this question is kind of inappropriate (no other school asks), but I'm worried the fact that I'm applying to so many other programs might make it seem like I just threw Vandy on the list on a whim.

So, should I call them and ask if I have to fill out that question? Or just suck it up and do it? Thanks for your advice! 😍

I agree with you that the question is completely inappropriate for an application, let alone an interviewer, to ask. Fortunately, this is easy to deal with on an application by just leaving it blank. You would also be well within your right to refuse to answer it at an interview, but it might not be the best idea for political reasons. This is yet another item I have added to my list of Things I Will Never Do to Students When I Finally Become Part of the Powers-That-Be. 🙄

In the specific case of Vanderbilt, I seem to remember that question being optional, because I did just leave it blank when I applied. If the interviewer asks you about it, you can say something general like, "I'm looking at schools that offer a PhD in immunology." Only one interviewer (not at Vanderbilt) ever pressed me further to name actual names, and I just named my state schools and a couple of others that were regional competitors of that school. I still ended up getting accepted to that school, but being cornered like that made a bad impression on me. Not at all cool.

 

[xanthines]

Agree with Q. It doesn't really matter overall.

-X

 

[24thGrade]

While it may be inappropriate, you should probably answer it (at least partly). One suggestion I'd give you is to remember what you list if you choose not to put all of your schools on there- you may be asked to repeat it during an interview.

During my interview season I was asked twice which schools I applied to. The first time it happened I gave the vague answer of "mostly schools in my home state." The interviewer then gave me a pretty sharp semi-stern reply of "I didn't ask you what region you were applying to, I asked you to tell me which schools you were applying to." My sympathetic nervous system went crazy and I gave him a full list 🙂. I ended up being accepted there. Bottom line IMO: if you're asked, I don't suggest you bull**** around it. Just be straightforward with them. If anything, it helps them realize you're a serious applicant and that they need to compete for YOU.

 

[Shifty B]

At every step of training, this question comes up, and I've always answered it honestly. I seriously doubt that it has ever harmed me and sometimes it has helped because I've gotten more information about that program and other programs.

You don't have to answer completely and give them a list of 20 schools, but there's not a whole lot of harm that can come from it. For the most part, people are not being malicious when they ask this, they are just making conversation.

It's not like they are going to write the places down and make a decision based on it, like, "Well, he'll never get in these other places so we can expect to get him even if we put him on the waitlist."

 

[KPCOFGS]

Cool, thanks so much to everyone for your replies! Your points make sense. I'll probably leave it blank on the application, but if the interviewer brings it up name a few schools. I doubt they want to be bored with my full list anyway.