<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I am filling out the Common Application for the school where I am applying early decision and it asked "To which other colleges or universities do you plan to apply for admission?" This field is optional. Should I respond or not? I feel like this is a double edged sword. I know this has been brought up before on CC but I would like to hear some additional input on this dilemma. </p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>While you really don’t need to put down anything I would think that if you put down 3-5 other colleges it would be OK. Make sure that at least 2 of them are obvious safeties and the others are similar or slightly less “good” than the one that you are applying to.</p>
<p>There is NO upside to answering that question. Leave it blank.</p>
<p>And if you’re determined to answer it, then the other schools listed should be of a caliber equal to the school that asked the question.</p>
<p>dodgersmom - Why do you feel there is no upside to that question and why do you feel that they must be equal?</p>
<p>Please, be aware, that colleges can get this info from other sources, for example from your test score reports. </p>
<p>Quote from the College Board site:</p>
<p>"Sending scores to college and university systems</p>
<p>For certain college and university systems, once you submit your score to one school, other schools within that system will also have access to your score."</p>
<p>Colleges, universities have different kind of alliances. They share admission, fiancial aid etc. info.</p>
<p>The question benefits the school only. They can use the info to determine who their competition is in the dog-eat-dog world of college admissions. They can also use the info to determine if you’re using them as a “safety.” There is no way, as far as I’m aware, that this info can be of any benefit to the student.</p>
<p>So, where necessary, list a few colleges you’re applying to that are of equal caliber (or thereabouts), none dramatically higher, and none dramatically lower. The result is utterly neutral information that can’t be used against the student.</p>
<p>And why not list schools that are lower in caliber? Well, really, how’s it going to help your application to Harvard if you say the only other schools you’re applying to are Podunk State Junior College and Nobody-Ever-Heard-Of-It Community College? That’s certainly not going to impress the admissions officer that reads it. I’m exaggerating, of course . . . but why risk it?</p>
<p>dodgersmom he has to sign a statement saying that he has been truthful in his application to the best of his ability. </p>
<p>Why risk lying on your application ? </p>
<p>Virtually everyone applies to multiple schools, so suggesting you arent looks unusual and dishonest.</p>
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<p>If the question is optional, then leaving it blank is not being dishonest. As much as it pains me (being a Giants fan), I have to agree with Dodgersmom.</p>
<p>Given that I am applying early decision. What should I do?</p>
<p>It’s optional. Leave it blank. Btw, if you’re applying early, as far as they know, you have no idea where else you plan to apply. You’re hoping to go to their school, right? 
There is no downside to leaving it blank.</p>