<p>And to nightchef’s point- the correct answer isn’t, “I’d love to go to Williams but I’m interviewing at Colgate just in case things don’t work out at a higher ranked college”. The answer is, “I’ve applied to a number of small LAC’s. Although a few are in urban areas, most are in rural or semi-rural places. After growing up in DC, I think I’ll love living someplace with trees and hills. And Colgate’s program in Classical Archaeology really excites me.”</p>
<p>“Say you’re an admissions staffer at a school where 25% of freshmen have a GPA over 3.75 and the SAT middle 50’s top out in the low 600’s. And say you get an application from someone with a 3.9 and a 2100/2400 SAT. I don’t think you’re going to need a list of his other choices to know that you’re one of his safeties.”</p>
<p>That’s true. But if you are the unusual student who is leaning strongly toward one of the less selective schools on your list (like mathson), it’s definitely smart to let them know that. If you don’t want to apply early to that school, you should tell the interviewer in no uncertain terms why his school is so desirable to you and why you would likely choose it over Prestige U.</p>
<p>^Well to be fair the school down the river was every bit as selective, and the school he ended up at while lower ranked overall, is still very selective in the program he went to. His two safety schools had no problem accepting him - I don’t think engineering schools are as prone to playing games. (I don’t think Tufts is either by the way, looking at admissions results from our school - the only university I have looked at that regularly rejects the high stat kids is Emory.)</p>
<p>Most schools accept the kids they’d like to have, and most colleges would love to have good students.</p>
<p>Interviewers ask this question not just for the interviewee, but for their long term planning and strategy. They really need to know their competition and what they can do to be more competitive. Honest, well thought out answers help them immensely, and can improve the student’s chances of a better package.</p>
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<p>This bothers me. How do you “know” that? Someone’s got to be at the top of the heap; why not this kid? Maybe he’s interested in the school for other reasons. Aid, proximity to home, a given program.</p>
<p>I don’t think we necessarily disagree, Pizzagirl. Maybe the pejorative connotations of the word “safety” are hanging us up here. To me a safety is any school where you are extremely likely to be admitted. It doesn’t have to be a school valued only for that reason, or even primarily for that reason, and it certainly doesn’t have to be a school that you would choose only if none of the more selective schools on your list are available.</p>
<p>I just learned that the college’s directions to its alumni specifically state NOT to go into what other schools students are applying to. This changes my view. I now think this is just an isolated instance particular to S1’s interviewer. It’s up this interviewer to decide whether or not to factor in S1’s response to his question in his interview report.</p>
<p>S2 was asked by an admissions person where else he was applying (this was junior year) and the adcom was impressed that S was looking at excellent schools off the beaten track for kids from our area. I think it showed that S had given careful thought to his list, which included said school.</p>
<p>CMC asked in the application where else S was applying, but at the info session stressed that it was for “knowing who their competitors are” and would not influence their decisions. </p>
<p>Otherwise, the kids gave a partial list of representative schools.</p>
<p>A daughter of good friends applied to a Christian LAC in Michigan and made it clear (on the application, I believe), that this college was her one and only choice and couldn’t wait to be admitted (mom and dad both alumni, etc.). A good friend of this girl also applied to this college with nearly identical stats (they were co-salutitorians, in fact). Both good athletes with good ECs. The friend, however, made it known that she was also applying to U of MI. Her friend’s merit offer was at least $4,000-$5000 a year more than our friends’ daughter. They are convinced it’s due to the fact that the college figured that she was going to attend their school, no matter what, that they didn’t have to offer her more $$.</p>
<p>Of course, they can not prove their hunch, but they will not let D2 make the same mistake.</p>