Why do they want to know the other schools you apply to? Forum

[Steve2207]

Ive noticed that on several on my applications they ask what other schools I am applying to. Do the other schools play a role in your admission at all? If not why do they even ask?

[Nova]

One theory:

To see who they are competing for you with. To see if your committed to the region or would go anywhere. To see if you are overselling/underselling yourself. I bet If you're underselling yourself, they may not give you as big of a scholly, because they think you think you cant do better.

[Steve2207]

Not to hijack, but what about if you're applying to like 20 schools, does that look bad?

Good question. How many applications is too many? Im sending out 7, does that look like alot. (all are in my state or neighboring states).

[bernaldiaz]

Not to hijack, but what about if you're applying to like 20 schools, does that look bad?

If youre applying to 20 just list a sampling of like 6-8. I think UChicago was the only one that asked me and I said like Yale, Harvard, Columbia, Penn, Duke, Northwestern even though I'm applying to the t14 (minus Berkeley)

[wilbur88]

The question is optional, so you're not obligated to answer it. I read a blog post that made a great point: your answer will almost always be either neutral or a negative on your application. Leave it blank. It's none of their business.

[Steve2207]

The question is optional, so you're not obligated to answer it. I read a blog post that made a great point: your answer will almost always be either neutral or a negative on your application. Leave it blank. It's none of their business.

Its required on one of my applications!

[wilbur88]

I stand corrected - haven't encountered it as required yet...

[Steve2207]

The question is optional, so you're not obligated to answer it. I read a blog post that made a great point: your answer will almost always be either neutral or a negative on your application. Leave it blank. It's none of their business.

Its required on one of my applications!

Which one?

Dayton ( yeah Iknow third tier toilet) but Im trying to stay in my area, thats important when you have a family to relocate. Also, just double checked and they only allow 175 charecters to list your schools! Not sure how to take that.