<p>"Ask me no questions and I will tell you no lies."</p>
<p>What if they ask you your name?? kk</p>
<p>I think that this question isn't too likely to be asked by admissions officers; it's probably more likely to be asked during an alumni interview, and an alumni is probably less likely to catch you lying if you say yes or call you on it.</p>
<p>But even besides that, I'll agree with honesty. If it is your first choice, say so. If it isn't, you don't have to go out and say "Well, actually, it's one of my safeties", but, as others have said, include some things you like about the school.</p>
<p>To OP: They probably knew you lied. This is so early in the admissions process, which means the interview that you had was requested by you, not by the school. Adcoms know that students are visiting lots of schools right now and those requesting interviews are doing it because so many guide books says to do so. Even if you have said something along the lines of what most have recommended, ie. you're still visiting schools and making up your mind, the schools won't take that against you. It's different when you get called for an interview by the school itself after filing an ED app, but for this case I don't think your reply would have made a difference.</p>
<p>Collegehelp--</p>
<p>Please re-read my response. I did state that it was a ridiculous question and that I would never ask it. </p>
<p>However, I do not believe that telling a lie is "morally justified," even if an admissions counselor chooses to ask that ridiculous question. There are plenty of ways to respond to that question which WON'T jeopardize an admission decision and which also don't constitute lying.</p>
<p>As for your "Ask me no questions and I will tell you no lies" quote ... then what is the point of an interview? If interviewees suspect that an honest answer to any interview question might jeopardize their admission decision, would you support lies in all those cases as well? For example, if a student is asked about extracurricular activities and knows s/he does not have breadth and depth of activities, does that justify lying about what activities s/he has? There is a clear difference between presenting yourself in a positive light and lying about who you are. </p>
<p>When I discover that students have presented themselves dishonestly in the admission process, it negatively affects the way in which I review their application. I suspect this is the case for most other admission counselors as well.</p>
<p>admisscouns-
I was referring specifically to a question about whether a school is your first choice. An improper question deserves a lie. You didn't anwer my question about applying for your job. Would you have told a prospective employer that you'd rather work for someone else?</p>
<p>item under
Statement of Principles of Good Practice: Mandatory Practices
II. Postsecondary Members Mandatory Practices
section B.2.
of the National Association of College Admissions Counseling</p>
<p>"2. not require candidates or the secondary schools to indicate the order of the
candidates’ college or university preferences, except under Early Decision plans;"</p>
<p>So, why did the Dartmouth admissions counselor ask the question to begin with? Perhaps you could report the counselor to the Admissions Director but I would wait until after they make a decision about your app.</p>
<p>In the meantime, say the school is your first choice. Think of a way in which the college MIGHT BE your first choice. It may feel uncomfortable but the wrong answer might hurt your chances. You don't know.</p>
<p>I told those who asked that it was "way up there" on my list. Of course, I ended up attending a school that doesn't interview...</p>