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

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 10:30 pm
by 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?

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

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 10:38 pm
by 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.

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

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 10:46 pm
by Steve2207
Wormfather wrote: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).

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

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 10:48 pm
by bernaldiaz
Wormfather wrote: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)

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

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 10:49 pm
by 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.

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

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 11:07 pm
by Steve2207
wilbur88 wrote: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!

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

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 11:15 pm
by wilbur88
I stand corrected - haven't encountered it as required yet...

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

Posted: Wed Nov 07, 2012 11:18 pm
by Steve2207
Wormfather wrote:
Steve2207 wrote:
wilbur88 wrote: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.