<p>I don't understand about telling a college what other colleges you are applying to. I can think of a few down sides, and I can't think of any advantages to a truthful answer, especially if one were applying to a lot of other colleges. It seems like it would be fine to say you are applying to your local big state U, but why would you tell them about any others? Is there some secret strategy to handling this question? Can it be left blank?</p>
<p>Can they find out if you don't tell them? Maybe somehow through the financial aid application? Or can everyone keep this as a "secret" from the colleges they apply to?</p>
<p>Is there another thread on this already somewhere? I couldn't find it.</p>
<p>idk about other threads, but i've never found that question to be mandatory on apps or anything...you don't have to tell them...and usually it's phrased, "what other schools are you applying to?" so theoretically, you could list some of the "others," while leaving off some...you're not lying...it's selective omission...but seriously, never seen that required...usually interviewers can't ask flat-out, either...they can say, where else are you interested? but that's about it, depending on the school's policy.</p>
<p>but don't worry about it...usually that data is just for stats gathering, not to attack a student if he applied to a lot of schools.</p>
<p>Don't worry about it - I don't think that question will be required on an app. If it's required, they're just being excessively nosy (at least in my opinion).</p>
<p>I had an interviewer who asked me flat-out what other schools I was applying to, but she promised that it won't affect my chances of getting in. Besides, that interview was for one of the top schools on my list, so I felt comfortable telling them.</p>
<p>It tells the college what they are competing with. If your other choices are hard schools (on par with the school thats asking) they will try to entice you to come if accepted, so as to bolster there retention.</p>
<p>I was worried because when I was applying to a safety it said list other colleges but I just listed the other 5 safe/safe matches and everything was fine...</p>