One school asks this question on the application. I’m applying in to 10th grade, and only applying to 2 schools. I want both schools to think they’re the only one. Will they know about the other school, if I just say that i’m not applying to others? Or do i just list the other school?
I’ve stated this before, but it’s worth a repeat:
For me, my interviews were all well before the application date, so my answer was, “I’m still finalizing the list, but the schools to which I will apply offer X, Y, and Z.”
When I went through the college admissions process my answer before the application deadline was as above. My answer after the application was submitted is, “I’m applying to schools that offer X, Y, and Z, such as AA, AB, and AC,” where two of the schools are at the same level as the school asking the question, and the third is a step below. I would not list all the schools, and I would list them in random (or alphabetical) order. Since some schools ask this question to predict yield, you do not want to reveal to a school that it is your safety (if it is in fact a safety, which in the case of schools like Andover or Exeter, is a safety for nobody).
So, be vague, or just list the other school. I would not say that you are only applying to one school.
I would recommend that you not lie, ever, on an application like this. It may be uncomfortable, but if the application asks you to list the schools you’re applying to, you need to just list the schools.
In person use the @skieurope approach.
@Summer1974: Since you are applying to just two schools & since you are applying to 10th grade, it should be fine to reveal this information.
You wrote that “I want both schools to think they’re the only one.” This statement is a bit concerning to me because you may have conveyed an inaccuracy in your application essays.
I think that your posted question leaves out too much information. For example, which two schools & whether or not you are seeking financial aid. If I knew this information, I might then want to know your qualifications before offering specific advice.
S19 just had an alumni interviewer today who asked this. He named two schools that are ranked about the same as her almamater and have similar traits. He also mentioned that he didn’t apply anywhere ED and he applied to 12 schools. Bleh. He should have left that last part off of his answer but oh well lol
Interviewers ask questions for a variety of reasons. I almost always suggest giving a straightforward, open & honest answer.
P.S. Just to be clear: Interviewers are not always interested in the specific content of a response, but, rather, with the candor of the response.
I would just be honest and list the other schools! Honesty is the best policy 
Just be honest. As a response in the written application, given that you are only applying to 2 schools, you will be on the low end of #s stated, so nothing to worry about. No school would have an expectation that it would be reasonable to just apply to their school. I think they will look at your truthful response and realize it is at most down to them and just one other school and be happy with that, if they want you.
Our DS on the other hand is applying to 8+ schools and also has to respond to that written app question. I don’t like that they ask that question, but I’ve advised to just be honest and let the chips fall where they may. Honestly is really the best … and only policy.
This is a little different than responding in an interview in say Nov when it isn’t fully clear where you are applying and have more flexibility in a verbal response.
Specific to your question, be honest and list both schools. Most applications have you sign or initial at the end to confirm that all information provided is accurate to the best of your knowledge (or similar wording). Do not provide incomplete or false information.
Plus, I don’t think you want both schools to think they’re the only one. Some candidates are constrained by geographic considerations, etc.; but with good research and consideration, most candidates can find several schools that would be a good fit. So, without a convincing reason why you would be applying to only one school, suggesting such would likely backfire and come across as immature, disingenuous and/or short-sighted.
Oh sorry. Didn’t realize this was a prep school thread. Disregard my post.
As everyone else said, being honest is the best way to go.
I just didn’t know that schools sometimes asked that question. I’m assuming that it’s for them to see the likelyhood of you attending their school, should they accept you.
We were told that one reason they ask this question is to see the selection of schools, and whether they are generally similar (or have some kind of common theme) — I.e., a well thought out list — or if it’s more random, and if so how that particular school relates to the others. For example, if you were applying to a number of single-sex schools and this one was the only co-ed school, it may suggest that you really aren’t interested in a co-ed school.
@CTMom21 ohh
Well, I’m in the other camp. There is absolutely no reason in the world for any school to know which other schools you are applying to. Why? It is totally irrelevant data mining and is, IMO, a rude question. We simply left that blank (or gave a non-answer), although I think the most appropriate response would be, “Which other candidates are you considering for admission?”
@Summer1974, consider these previous threads on the topic:
Choatiemom, love the respond. LOL, who else you are considering!
@ChoatieMom While I agree that it can seem rude and may be uncomfortable for some people to answer, I don’t find it irrelevant. One of my interviewers clearly stated that they used that question to understand the type of school I’m looking for, and if their school stood out in any way (for example, another AO recognized that their school was the furthest away from home). Also, if you are applying to all small schools and their school is the only large school, they might ask about that. If the schools don’t have anything in common except for being HADES schools, they might consider that the applicant is looking for prestige, and ask questions that will help them to see if that is the case. While the quesion is imperfect and can be uncomfortable, I personally think it gives a lot of insight into the applicant and what they are looking for.
It is for all the reasons you list, @ThatScorpio, that the question is improper IMO. In no case do any of the scenarios you pose help the candidate, only the school. I never found the question uncomfortable. It’s an easy one to avoid answering. But go ahead if you think it helps your application in any way.
@ChoatieMom just to be clear I’m talking about in an interview some of the reasons the AOs gave for asking that question (sorry if that wasn’t what the OP intended, just trying to provide a little insight based on the experience I have with the question). I fully agree that it is an inappropriate question for on an application. In an interview, the AO can ask more questions related to what the schools have in common, which will lead them to learn more about the applicant. In an application, they can only assume.
@Summer1974 I agree with everybody else- if you answer, be honest.
@ThatScorpio, I was referring to both written and oral. What a school can learn about you from whatever you answer is neutral at best, negative or up for interpretation at worst. They do not need to have this information to know you or make a decision about your application. See my original response; they are data mining, and not for your benefit.