<p>What's the best way to respond? Tell the truth?</p>
<p>Yes, tell the truth. But, be prepared for the next question which might be “What school is your first choice and why?” I would advocate that for that question, you should always lie. Whatever school is asking, that school should be your first choice!</p>
<p>FWIW: When my son was applying to college several years back his Dartmouth interviewer asks that question. After my son rattled off his list of schools, the interviewer said “Let me tell you why Dartmouth should be your first choice.” I thought that was a very nice way of turning around a potentially awkward question.</p>
<p>Yes, you never want to appear evasive. There’s a possible downside, particularly if your answer is “Ivy1, Ivy2, Ivy3, Ivy4, Ivy5, Tufts”, and you’re interviewing Tufts, but in general, I think they just want to see what their peer schools are in your mind and also some insight in to you based on the other schools you picked.</p>
<p>I think it’s OK to answer that question with a selection from the truth.</p>
<p>Ethically, I think it’s OK to lie in response to that question. I think intrusive questions do not merit honest answers, and I think that question is intrusive.</p>
<p>Practically, however, it’s much less awkward to get caught in the truth than it is to get caught in a lie, which is an argument for replying with at least a measure of honesty.</p>
<p>So if the rest of your college list is much higher powered than the college for which you’re interviewing (the scenario MrMom is describing–although Tufts itself is a lot higher powered than it was 30 years ago when we parents were looking at colleges), I don’t see any problem in toning it down a bit.</p>
<p>As for the follow-up question about first choices, I think that one’s even more intrusive, and I agree with gibby that you should have no hesitation about lying. Another approach that could work, besides gibby’s, is to say, “I’m trying really hard not to have a first choice. Colleges are so selective these days that falling in love with one just seems like inviting disappointment. So I’m trying really hard to wait and see where I’m accepted, and what my options will cost, and then make up my mind.”</p>
<p>I am blown away by adults here counseling children to lie, to lie selectively, to lie when it benefits you. Lie because the other person has done/said/asked something you don’t like. There are numerous ways to respond to a question that makes you uncomfortable or that you perceive to be inappropriate without lying. When we justify our own unethical behavior based on what we don’t like in someone else’s behavior, it opens the door for moral chaos. Do you tell your kids its OK to have an extramarital affair if the spouse does something you perceive to be inappropriate? No, it is the same thing. Ethically analogous. Wow.</p>
<p>^^ And what do you advocate? To tell Yale that Harvard is your first choice school? That certainly will be in an alumni’s report that is sent back to Admissions and may result in Yale waitlisiting an applicant to gauge their actual interest. Schools care about yield – and that question digs deep into the question “If admitted, will this kid attend.” Let’s face it, there are times in life when telling a little white lie is the best solution. And if you don’t believe that to be true, then I think you are lying!</p>
<p>Like many questions during the app process, this one isn’t really and truly idle curiosity. Not really about “where else?” It’s as much a “why us?”</p>
<p>Make it a positive answer that works for the interviewer. Name something valid and strong about this school, relevant to your plans. By now, you should know what that is- this can’t be generic or based on rep. Not their study abroad or football spirit. Or location. Maybe it’s research opps for UG Stems, maybe it’s a strong writing program or community engagement.</p>
<p>Make that “thinking” impression and you don’t do damage in naming one or two competitors that are also strong in that respect.</p>
<p>The rest isn’t about lying. If asked pointblank which is number one, just don’t name another school (kids do!) You can always turn back to that school’s merit. Many interviewers will note whether you can articulate this or “doesn’t seem to know us.” Think about it and you’ll be fine.</p>
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<p>gibby wins.</p>
<p>In response to the “first choice” question, I believe it’s really perfectly fine to say one is “leaning toward College X”, but you still haven’t made a final decision and you’re still gathering information. Which is probably true for almost everyone, unless you’ve sent in an ED app, in which case you can cop to the ED app, but say if it falls through, you’re open.</p>
<p>Feel free to be blown away, honeybee, but my answer isn’t changing. (And for what it’s worth, I’m pretty puritanical about a lot of things–particularly marital fidelity.)</p>
<p>I will say, however, that I wish every high-school senior could give my “I’m trying not to have a first choice” answer in complete honesty. Because I really do think that if you’re applying to selective colleges and universities (as an awful lot of teens on College Confidential are), falling in love is just inviting heartbreak.</p>
<p>But, it’s a college interview for that college. We get some notes that say, in essence, “well he’s leaning toward us but doesn’t seem sure.” What else is communicated by “leaning” if not uncertainty? Doesn’t “trying not to have a 1st choice” say the same, to an interviewer for that college? I think it’s what your tell family friends who put you on the spot. </p>
<p>So, I stand by my answer. 
Have a positive response ready. One that lets them know why you hold this school in esteem and find it a match for you and you for it. I hope, by the time of the interview, the kid is not still gathering info.</p>
<p>That’s a fair point, lf.</p>
<p>The applicant may want to find out beforehand if the school in question uses “level of applicant’s interest” in admissions.</p>
<p>If it does, and the school is not the first choice (or at least a potential first choice among several based on scholarships and financial aid) among the schools which s/he is realistically able to be admitted to, then the applicant has the choice of lying or being incomplete with the facts versus significantly reducing his/her chance of admission there. Not a good choice to have to make, but the applicant may want to prepare for that question, regardless of which way his/her ethics lead him/her to answer.</p>
<p>OP, did you already have this interview? Two posts before this thread note you were asked- how did you answer?</p>
<p>There may be another reason they ask–to know the competition if they really want you. After interview my niece was offered a very generous fin aid package and we believe it was because she didn’t go to the top ‘where else she applied’ . Tell the truth for the most part.</p>
<p>Yea I just listed some safeties then she asked me “no, where else?”</p>
<p>Then I just said the first ivy that came to mind. I’ll have like 10 more of these so I just wanted to know the ideal response.</p>
<p>I feel it’s an unfair question. I get why interviewers and colleges ask – they have their priorities. But so does the student. If the colleges can ask, I fully support having a prepared lie ready. To me it’s like a contract negotiation. You ask me at the start where my final position will be? Are you serious? If you’re that foolish to ask, I’ll tell you what will sate you. </p>
<p>Colleges are not looking out for the applicant’s interests. So he/she has to do it. Every day. In a heartbeat.</p>
<p>(I interview extensively and my college instructs us definitively not to ask this question)</p>
<p>They aren’t supposed to ask that. At least that’s what I’ve read and heard. My daughter’s had 3 interviews so far and that question wasn’t asked. However, if they do, you have to tell the truth. Instead of going through them all though, maybe focus on the couple that are most similar to the school you are interviewing at. If that school is your top choice, then make sure to let them know.</p>
<p>While I don’t believe they should ask, it really shouldn’t be a big deal. I mean, they KNOW you are applying to more places.</p>
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<p>Your college does not consider “level of applicant’s interest”, correct?</p>
<h1>6"And what do you advocate? To tell Yale that Harvard is your first choice school? That certainly will be in an alumni’s report that is sent back to Admissions and may result in Yale waitlisiting an applicant to gauge their actual interest."</h1>
<p>I interview every year for my college (an Ivy, not Yale), and we are specifically told in the interviewer guidelines NOT to ask where else the kid is applying, much less What is your first choice. I ask what the applicant is interested in studying, and what drew him or her to my school, and it’s usually pretty easy to intuit from that what their level of interest is. But I’d never ask where else they are applying, it’s not relevant to whether they’d be a good fit. I like the gambit of “let me tell you why X should be your first choice.”</p>