Do you tell a school they are your first choice?

College Majors Visual Arts and Film Majors
1

<p>An admissions rep from an out-of-town arts college gave a presentation at my daughter’s school today. This is a college she has been considering, strictly based on what she has seen in the catalog and a little online info. We will be attending an information session at the school in November. Prior to the presentation, I told the rep that we also liked the school due to the program, reputation, and family ties in the area. She already has had her app, essay, and test scores sent there. She reviewed my daughter’s portfolio and accepted it and was anxious that we keep in touch. During the presentation (I sat in), I had a strong suspicion that this school would become her top choice, as it was exactly what she was looking for. After the presentation I left, and when she got home told me that this school was now her top choice.<br>
QUESTION: Does it hurt/help/not matter to tell a school they are your number one choice? I thought about it like buying a new house. You know it's your dream house and you'd pay the asking price if push came to shove, but don't want to show your hand, as you'll never get the price down if they know you want it that badly. Some schools on their app want to know what other schools you are considering. Is this so that they know who their competition is? Did we lay our cards on the table too soon?</p>

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<p>It certainly won’t hurt. Many schools list “Level of Applicant’s Interest” as 1 of the criteria for admissions (you can check collegeboard.com). Some’s school’s even ask on the application. Naturally applying ED or EA (if they offer) also shows interest.</p>

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<p>I probably should have said “as it applies to merit scholarship awards”. Might they hold back offering more $$ to a student who they think is willing to pay whatever to go there? Guess I’m trying to find out if schools have their own agenda…</p>

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<p>I don’t think so.</p>

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<p>I think it helps. I have only anecdotal evidence, but reason tells us that if schools have limited financial aid funds, they’re going to want to give merit awards to folks who will attend (or be swayed to attend), not to folks who are unlikely to attend. It’s certainly one of our family’s strategies – being clear with the first choice school that they <em>are</em> first choice, and that the only mitigating factor is the aid package.</p>