<p>Boston University requests a list of other colleges that we are applying to in addition to their university. Although they say that it won't affect their admissions decisions, I am worried about sending this list. It is a part of their required supplemental form. What are your thoughts?</p>
<p>My son listed them all except on one application that asked him to list those he had applied to so he listed the ones he had "so far" applied to. The way he looked at it was I like them all. I need money. The best deal is where I will go. I have a few that are on the top but I wouldn't have applied to a school if I didn't really like many things about it. I can't wait to go to college. It will all work out...so why not let them know; here's my hand.</p>
<p>Some colleges use it as a way to "gauge" your level of inclination to attend should you be admitted, i.e., if a school seems to be a safety on your list and you haven't demonstrated much interest in the school, that school may choose to decline admission in favor of candidates who see that school as either a reach or a match and have had numerous contacts with the school. On the other hand, overseas makes a good point of showing your hand if you are interested in attending all the schools to which you're applying, particularly those that are competitor schools. If you're a strong candidate, schools will want to "bid" for your matriculation by offering attractive financial/merit aid packages. Good luck!</p>
<p>My son listed the schools that were in the same ball park. It was a match school that asked, he listed his other matches. He did the same, "so far applied to" because he was in the process of applying.</p>
<p>Yes, a lot of them do and you should expect to be asked the question on interviews and even casual talks when you visit the school. Have some schools to readily name, you do not have to give your comprehensive list.</p>
<p>In the context of this question coming up in a college interview, a Princeton interviewer has said that the applicant might look less credible if Princeton is the only strong school the applicant expresses an interest in. That makes it look like the application to Princeton is a "lottery ticket" application. Generally, then, one might conclude that for most competitive schools it is a good idea to reveal that you are applying to other, similarly competitive schools and really believe you belong in that echelon.</p>
<p>I go to Smith, and when I applied they asked the same question. I listed them, and Smith was in the middle of the pack. But then I did an interview and expressed a LOT of interest, and was pleasantly surprised to get their biggest merit-based award. When I arrived, comparing notes with other merit-award winners showed me that most of the people who got lots of merit aid had been accepted to the "better" schools they'd applied to, and they told Smith they were applying there. Equally-qualified students whose most challenging school was Smith tended to get less merit aid. </p>
<p>Conclusion: I think less-selective but still good schools like Smith give merit aid as an inducement to the students they think would otherwise be accepted to and choose more selective schools. So list where you're applying honestly! You might just find yourself with a pretty sweet offer!</p>