<p>If an applicant writes on their application that "______ University is my top choice school and the only one I'm applying to" do colleges have any way of verifying this. i'm guessing they probably wouldn't waste time and effort doing so even if it was possible. however i'm guessing there's probably something that could be done if it was done through commonapp. maybe?</p>
<p>Well, IMO, if you're pretty sure that you'll get into the school, then "...the only one I'm applying to" is unnecessary. If you're not pretty sure that you'll get in, then it makes you look a little bit ridiculous. Don't expect adcoms to take pity and admit you by default. </p>
<p>As for "...is my top choice school," I'll refer to the old saying that "Actions speak louder than words." If it's just an empty claim, not backed up by communication, visits, school-specific essays, a request for an interview, etc., then I can't imagine it getting you far. If it is backed up, then it's probably superfluous information. </p>
<p>I do think it's important to "show the love" to schools that really do interest you, and in some cases, that might warrant an explicit statement of preference, but writing "You're my top choice + only application" to every school is not going to add anything important to your profile. </p>
<p>I can only speculate about your actual question, which is whether or not a school could verify that it's the only one to which you applied. If they really wanted to verify the info, perhaps they could, but the point I've tried to make is that such a statement in itself is probably not seen as interesting or important, so it's unlikely that anyone's going to dig around. What I mean to suggest is not "Yes, you can get away with it," but rather "Don't bother." Again, only guesswork.</p>
<p>Show the love, but try to do it in a meaningful way, not just with a generic, empty claim.</p>
<p>No, they won't find out where else you've applied unless you tell them. The only exception may be for some ED schools, to make sure one student hasn't applied to 2+ schools ED.</p>
<p>What does ED schools mean?</p>
<p>Early Decision; Deadlines are usually around Nov 1, and you are bound to that school if accepted.</p>
<p>They won't find out as far as I know.</p>
<p>On the back of my high school transcript, every college/program to which I've sent a transcript is recorded. So my colleges could see everywhere I applied.</p>
<p>@Student615
Yeah i completely agree. it's an empty claim unless you have reason to back it up.</p>