<p>Actually, this worked for a young man I knew - a HYPSM grad. He was applying to med school and answered the famous “Why do you want to become a doctor?” by saying that he first got interested in the idea because his GF was premed - they used to study together, etc. The interviewer stopped him right there to say that it was the most refreshing and honest answer he’d heard! I think it may depend on the person - some could pull this off and not seem unsophisticated for it, others not as much.</p>
<p>As for the what to tell a school like Tufts during the interview - I don’t consider it being dishonest (especially early in the fall) to list several school that you are considering that are comparable to Tufts, while leaving out schools that are a reach for everybody.</p>