<p>When a college asks on its supplement what other colleges I'm applying to, what does it mean? Are they just interested in what other colleges I'm looking at, are they looking at competition, or are they judging my interest level? It's throwing me for a loop.</p>
<p>They ask you for all the reasons you stated. They want to know more about you yes, but more importantly they want to see both your interest level (if you applying to all Ivy Leagues and a state school, the state school knows it is just a safety) and the competition (If your applying to all Ivy Leagues and Harvard notices that, they will know they have to really rope you in if they want you badly enough). I would be honest in answering it; I really believe that adcoms appreciate honesty. </p>
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<li>Mike</li>
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<p>emma: I think you read it correctly. They want that info that in some circumstances, might not be in the applicant’s best interest. When my kid starts to apply, I will advise her to be very circumspect. I’m sure the colleges want honesty and openness. But don’t be naive that they might not use this information against you. My two cents.</p>
<p>Thanks Mike! But what if the school only has two lines and you’re applying to 4 other schools? Do you put down schools lower than it or higher? I’m probably overthinking it, but I just want to do it all right.</p>
<p>T26E4- Thanks! It’s good to know that not everything is as it appears on these applications!</p>
<p>Put lower schools. You want them to feel that they are your 1st choice if accepted.</p>
<p>What you want to avoid is this:</p>
<p>You apply to a good but not ultra elite school. Your stats make you a very competitive applicant for not only the good school, but for the elite school (e.g. Cal Tech) as well. The admissions office at the lesser school sees you’re applying to CalTech and surmises you’ll go there if accepted. They might very well reject you (the so-called “Tufts syndrome”) as they see you’re viewing them as a safety/fallback school.</p>
<p>Google “tufts syndrome” for more info</p>
<p>Ok, thanks so much for the help!</p>
<p>You might want to create several versions of your apps. For example if you list Yale and Harvard and then Northeastern, Northeastern knows it is your safety. Some schools are more finicky then others.</p>