I Accidentally Told 2 Schools They Are Both My First Choice

Applying to College
1

I accidentally told 2 colleges they were my first choice. In my continued letter of interest, I told the school I am continuing to uphold them as my first choice school. A few weeks passed and I had an interview with another school. The guy asked if insert school name was my first choice. I panicked and said yes. I know they’re not supposed to ask that and I probably could’ve said something else, but I panicked. It’s still in my top choices, but the school I got deferred from remains my #1. The interviewer wrote it down and said he would be sure to convey that to admissions. Now both schools admissions think they’re my first choice.

  1. When students say this, I'm sure they don't take it super seriously because obviously people are just going to say that sometimes
  2. I'm obviously not going to contact the school just to say they're not my first choice. I would just be doing myself wrong.

Anyways, do you think it’s possible that these schools will find out I said they’re were my first choice? It’s not like I’m some genius that admissions officers will be whispering about to each other, but I have a shot and I don’t want to mess that up.

If a MOD wants to delete this exact post from earlier, that would be great because I acc. posted it in Middlebury, but I meant to post it here.

2

Don’t worry about it!

3

You have nothing to worry about. It’s all part of the game – schools market to you, you market yourself to them. Unless you commit someplace by applying ED, nobody will hold you accountable for telling someplace it’s your first choice, even if it isn’t.

4

I agree. Unless you entered a binding agreement, it is not a problem. They know students (1) change their minds, and (2) realistically have to compare FA offers in many cases. Don’t go out of your way to say it to a 3rd school, but I think you are fine.

5

Don’t sweat it. As a matter of principle and personal honor, I would urge you to avoid false promises. But most colleges are not exactly innocent of raising false hopes and I doubt they put too much stock in any professions of undying love from 17 and 18-year olds (with the obvious exception of formal agreements like ED). No need to worry about being held to preference you mentioned casually in interview. Like the old expression says, “an oral agreement isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.”

6

At least you did not answer at the same time. Priority changes all the time.

7

Thanks for the responses everyone!