Why do admissions committees ask where I've already been interviewed/accepted?

[Dink_N_Flicka]

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So I can understand some of the positive ramifications about being open and honest with them in this regard. If I had a lot of acceptances, or acceptances from better ranked schools, they may consider a scholarship to convince me to come to their program over another etc.

Are there any potential downsides to "showing my cards" and telling them all of the places I've interviewed/been accepted? Or are there any pitfalls to remaining ambiguous and offering up an answer like, "I've interviewed at a few programs out West"

 

[Goro]

So I can understand some of the positive ramifications about being open and honest with them in this regard. If I had a lot of acceptances, or acceptances from better ranked schools, they may consider a scholarship to convince me to come to their program over another etc.

Are there any potential downsides to "showing my cards" and telling them all of the places I've interviewed/been accepted? Or are there any pitfalls to remaining ambiguous and offering up an answer like, "I've interviewed at a few programs out West"

Just tell the frickin' truth. You're not going to get rejected. Do SDNers really believe that Adcoms only want you to apply to one school, meaning theirs????

See this thread:
Interviewers Asking About Other Schools

Quoting the wise mimelim:
Why is it off putting for a school trying to assess whether or not you will 'actually' go to their school? Seems fairly relevant to their interests...

 

[Dink_N_Flicka]

Just tell the frickin' truth. You're not going to get rejected. Do SDNers really believe that Adcoms only want you to apply to one school, meaning theirs????

See this thread:
Interviewers Asking About Other Schools

Quoting the wise mimelim:
Why is it off putting for a school trying to assess whether or not you will 'actually' go to their school? Seems fairly relevant to their interests...

That wasn't necessarily my thinking, I just wanted to hear if there were any negative aspects I hadn't yet considered.

 

[armoman898]

That wasn't necessarily my thinking, I just wanted to hear if there were any negative aspects I hadn't yet considered.

I think its a valid question too. I'm more curious as to whether DO Adcoms can verify any information given by the applicant in this regard.
See @gonnif post here on this topic. Also here, here, here and here.

This is just my opinion, so treat it as such. I would not say, "I applied to 10 school, and got rejected to 9 of them" during an interview. That makes you sound super beta. On the other hand, "I applied to 10 schools, and got accepted, and got accepted to all of them" may have connotations of pretension, or may indicate dishonesty. I would give an equivocal answer, only mention acceptances, or make up a moderate ratio.

Whatever the answer is, I don't think the adcoms are trying to catch you in the act of perjury.

 

[Goro]

I think its a valid question too. I'm more curious as to whether DO Adcoms can verify any information given by the applicant in this regard.
See @gonnif post here on this topic. Also here, here, here and here.

This is just my opinion, so treat it as such. I would not say, "I applied to 10 school, and got rejected to 9 of them" during an interview. That makes you sound super beta. On the other hand, "I applied to 10 schools, and got accepted, and got accepted to all of them" may have connotations of pretension, or may indicate dishonesty. I would give an equivocal answer, only mention acceptances, or make up a moderate ratio.

Whatever the answer is, I don't think the adcoms are trying to catch you in the act of perjury.

SDNers should keep in mind that when you interview, you're interviewing the school as much as they're interviewing you.

People should be able to articulate the pluses and minuses of each school they've interviewed at.

 

[Doc_Ock]

Just tell the frickin' truth. You're not going to get rejected. Do SDNers really believe that Adcoms only want you to apply to one school, meaning theirs????

See this thread:
Interviewers Asking About Other Schools

Quoting the wise mimelim:
Why is it off putting for a school trying to assess whether or not you will 'actually' go to their school? Seems fairly relevant to their interests...

but why even ask in the first place?

 

[Goro]

but why even ask in the first place?

See this thread:
Interviewers Asking About Other Schools
Note: It's not a question I ever ask. Actually, the wily old Admissions dean forbids us from asking it!

 

[allantois]

They want to know who they are competing with; I don’t think there’s any malicious intent there.

 

[Doc_Ock]

See this thread:
Interviewers Asking About Other Schools
Note: It's not a question I ever ask. Actually, the wily old Admissions dean forbids us from asking it!

good!