<p>My d has a friend who went to unifieds in the spring. When explaining the audition process, she told me that every school asked her what other schools she was applying to. My question is: Does anyone know why the colleges are interested in this, and should you specific or general with your answer.</p>
<p>There is a thread from a while ago that addresses this. I will look and see if I can find it for you.</p>
<p>Here is a recent discussion about this topic:</p>
<p>Thankks! I read the thread--it was very helpful!</p>
<p>At FSU we have just started asking "that question" on our application and one of the reasons behind it is not reflected on the above thread:
Knowing the other programs to which a student has applied will not affect whether we make an offer of admission at all. What it will affect is the length and configuration of the waiting list. Predicting yield (the number of students admitted who actually enroll) is very difficult, so if we admit a large number of students who are applying to many competitive schools, we would choose to have a longer waiting list, since the odds are that those individuals will have several offers to choose from and we may not be on the top of the list. (which is fine - we are a small individualized program and we want students who really feel that this is the environment for them.)
Believe it or not, I like to see a long list of schools in response to the question - it means the student has done their research and is taking a thoughful, well advised approach to the college application process. In addition, if the student is admitted and chooses to attend, then we are truly a good match for them and chances are they will be happy here.</p>
<p>It also helps after the auditions. I talk to many students after admission/denial letters have been sent to discuss audition feedback. I genuinely want each student to find a good college fit and because we notify applicants regarding decisions on the early side, sometimes I can make a suggestion that the student might still have time to investigate.</p>
<p>I just thought I'd add another viewpoint from the inside. I really have to (for my own peace of mind) believe that most of us in education take a student centered approach and want the best for each applicant regardless of where they end up attending college.</p>
<p>Michele</p>
<p>Michele, That was really such an informative bit of information you passed along to everyone. When we hear from the schools and get to hear from an insider's point of view, it really puts things in a different perspective. Thank you so much for sharing. I don't know that every school takes a student centered approach to those applying/not accepted as your does. For that reason, your school (FSU) goes up many notches in my book. Dr. John from Otterbein has had the same affect on all of us here on this site. Elon has done the same. Thank you very much. Please keep on posting.</p>
<p>All4FSU,
I appreciate your explanation as a college representative regarding why you ask this question. </p>
<p>I personally am against this question. I don't see this being asked at regular colleges on apps (non BFA programs). I see no benefit. I do not understand the point about it being used to help you predict yield. Almost every student who applies to a BFA program, has applied to more than one program. I think that is a given. I don't think this question helps you ascertain if a student also has other apps in and might also get other offers of admission and thus not contribute to your yield if he/she opts to enroll elsewhere. Just because a student has apps in elsewhere, does not imply that he/she will be admitted elsewhere, especially given the very low admit rate at most BFA programs. Nothing is a guarantee, far from it. I don't see how you would be able to judge if the student really will enroll or not just because the student listed that he/she had apps in elsewhere and in fact, had to list the names of the colleges. To me, the only reason it could be is to really make a judgement call if you think that student will attend based on assumptions of other offers the student MIGHT get. In fact, often colleges believe that if a student has applied to colleges rated higher or that are more selective or higher degree of reputation than their college, that the student may not attend their college. But, for starters, not all students choose colleges based on prestige, rankings, degree of selectivity, etc. but go by fit. Further, one can't assume the student WILL be admitted to the "reachier" schools on their list and could be left holding the bag if their "safer" school also says "no". Every student deserves to have schools on their list of varying degrees of selectivity, as they should, in case. If some schools say, "look she applied to programs that are considered more selective than ours, so she'll never go here," that can be quite untrue.</p>
<p>I do appreciate your approach that apparently you don't look at this until AFTER a decision to admit and then only view it with respect to yield when forming your waitlist. I do think forming a waitlist number could be done using historic patterns from previous years with respect to yield, which again, does not require students to reveal their college lists. That's what most colleges have to do. Even if you don't look at this information until after the decision to admit, candidates know you have seen the information right on the app or the audition sheet so it is perceived that you have seen their list and may weigh it into the admissions decision even if you say you don't look at it until after you have formed the class and then need to decide how long to make the waitlist.</p>
<p>What I think a college can and should do (and as an interviewer, I do this) is ask a student their college criteria...what factors are important to them in selecting a college. As well, they should ask the student specific reasons why they wish to attend. A college should be able to ascertain the student's interest in that college, the degree the student has explored that school, the reasons the student wishes to attend, and the fit of the student to the school/program. I don't see why a school needs to know the names of the other schools on the list. </p>
<p>Now, IF a student is denied admissions, and you wish to guide that student elsewhere (though at many schools, that would be too late but I appreciate your student centeredness in wanting to help the student), then that can be discussed in a follow up contact. Further, I have a kid who applied to non BFA schools (not for theater) and not only did those colleges not ask where else she applied but they asked a fairer question at the RIGHT TIME...and that was AFTER she was admitted and AFTER she turned THEM down, they sent a questionnaire about where else she applied, where she was matriculating and questions around her choices. The school can then use this information. I don't see a valid reason for obtaining that list of schools during the active admissions process except for the college adreps to judge if that student will attend if accepted. That judgement call can be inferred as well without the other college names but by asking the questions I suggested that demonstrate interest and fit. Otherwise, you are judging if the student will attend other schools that the student may not even get into given the selectivity and when the student may be more interested in your school anyway even if admitted to more selective schools. You can ascertain their interest via app questions and interviews. It is up to the student to demonstrate interest and fit. This can be done very easily without the names of the other colleges. When I go to a job interview, I would not want to be asked where else I was interviewing but I would expect to be asked why I felt I fit at this job and why I wanted it more than any other job. I would also expect if I were given an offer of employment, that I would be given a fair amount of time to accept that offer or not and so that the employer can go to the next candidates in line in a reasonable amount of time.</p>
<p>I'm glad you explained why you ask this and I am just offering my opinion as someone who is a parent of college students, as well as work as a college counselor, and also interviews candidates for a selective college.</p>
<p>While I disagree with this practice, I must say that I am VERY appreciative of your participation on this forum and in offering your perspectives as it helps all the readers in a huge way to understand the process on your end of things. I also am glad to hear that you are student centered!</p>