<p>Token,</p>
<p>In general, honesty is obviously a good thing. And generally speaking both students and colleges should be honest. </p>
<p>However, in the admissions process, up to the moment when the acceptances are sent out, the colleges are in the position of power. There are questions they should not be asking (like where else are you applying, for example), but they do.</p>
<p>If you honestly answer to any school’s “Why X?” with “because I need a safety school, and you are the best one for me”, almost all will be sure to waitlist or reject you.</p>