<p>My son has his first interview coming up, an on campus interview (if that's relevant). Will they ask him if the school is his first choice, and should he lie if they ask him this and it's not his first choice? A friend told me that you have to tell every school that it's your first choice or else they won't accept you. Thanks so much for your advice. </p>
<p>My D was never asked this outright in her four interviews, but one interviewer did ask if she was planning to apply to that school ED. The school in question was one she liked a lot, but maybe her second or third choice. She was quick enough on her feet to say that the school was one of her favorites and she cited one or two specific things she liked, but that at the moment she had not planned to apply anywhere ED. (Note: She did apply to her top choice ED, got in and went there).</p>
<p>Lying is always a bad idea. It’s better to say that you are very interested in the school/don’t have a first choice/are thankful to be considered at so many good schools. </p>
<p>My son was asked why he hadn’t applied to Harvard (restricted early action) and he told his interviewer, “Because it’s not my first choice.” They still let him in. Other schools though might not be so forgiving, or appreciate his chutzpah.</p>
<p>Massmomm - that’s my inclination as well but my friend seemed so certain. Thanks for the advice.</p>
<p>On her first interview my daughter was asked what other schools she was applying to - we had not anticipated this question - I think she gave a truthful answer. (this was an Ivy alum interview - don’t know if an admissions person would ask that).</p>
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<p>They shouldn’t, but they often do ask what other schools a student is applying to and which one is his/her first choice. I think the student can reply, “I am applying to schools very similar to School X,” then go on to elaborate as to why. Of course why should really be directed to School X. </p>
<p>Perhaps the student should look into whether the school in question considers “level of applicant’s interest” (see section C7 of its common data set or the admissions tab for its entry at <a href=“http://www.collegedata.com”>http://www.collegedata.com</a> ) and have appropriate truthful answers for this question and the related “what other colleges are you applying to?” question.</p>
<p>hey let’s go on a date! if i say yes was I your first choice? no you were my safety plan. oh ok that makes me feel great…sure i will go out with you. (think about that)</p>
<p>perhaps (if they bring it up)you can say I have applied to several schools all of which I will be very happy to attend, which ever schools accept me I will think really hard about all the factors including financial considerations and than I will decide. by the way I could really see myself being very happy at this school.</p>
<p>Maybe say, “I’m trying very hard not to let myself have a first choice because I know that money will have to play a big role in my final decision. But [name of the school where you’re interviewing] is very attractive, especially because of [two or three things you really like].”</p>
<p>I agree with @Marian …“Finances will play a role, of course, but XYZ College is right there at the top because of A, B, C”</p>
<p>The other thing is, if the school is intended to be a last choice “safety”, but considers “level of applicant’s interest”, find another safety.</p>
<p>ucbalumnus - my son is very interested in this school, he’s touring, and sitting in on music class and science class, meeting with a few professors. It’s just not his first choice. He is applying early elsewhere. </p>
<p>@massmom‌ FYI, at the time of the interview, my D did not lie. She had a few top choices at the time of that interview in Sept. and did not plan to apply early. However after re-touring and spending additional time (shadowing a student, attending classes, etc.) at her top schools she made a decision in mid-Oct. that she did have a top choice and she applied ED and was accepted. And she did write to the interviewer and explained the situation (so she would know why my D didn’t file an application at that school) , and thanked her for her time and the interviewer responded quite warmly. Still, I think the reply that the school is “one of his/her top choices” is appropriate. Schools should not put potential students on the spot like that. </p>
<p>Here’s my advice: Say, “One of the reasons I’m here today is to help me determine whether this school should be my first choice.” Most likely, the interviewer will try to sell the school to the student.</p>
<p>ucbalumnus - my son is very interested in this school, he’s touring, and sitting in on music class and science class, meeting with a few professors. It’s just not his first choice. He is applying early elsewhere. </p>
<p>Wow, I have been doing alumni interviews for over 20 years and have never asked that question. I also never ask the kid where else they applied. I just assume that most of the schools they are applying to are similar in academic rigor as the one they’re interviewing with me for. This may well be important for those schools where “interest” is an important factor. For those schools that have admit rates in the single digits, that would be an unfair question for the applicant since their chances of getting in are miniscule.</p>
<p>@Hunt - excellent idea and one I will pass on to D if she is asked…</p>