<p>Now, that sounds like a dumb idea. However, I've come across two supplements (Grinnell and Knox) that have asked me to list other schools to which I'm applying/have applied. I believe it's completely optional, but would it raise any eyebrows to leave it blank? It also doesn't seem wise to say something along the lines of "Uh, I'm not comfortable filling that out..."</p>
<p>sleepinglessons,</p>
<p>I also had the same question. someone, please help!</p>
<p>There are several reasons they ask you to list other schools. First, some it will hurt your chances at some schools if they think you are applying and will almost certainly not attend. If the school is vastly different from the other schools on your list and much easier to get into, and if you have some matches, they know you will probably not attend.</p>
<p>Second, it tells them about your thoroughness of research. If you list two additional schools that are similiar, it shows them that you really do want (fill in the blank- small student body, certain program, etc) and that you haven't selected colleges almost randomly. </p>
<p>It also tells schools more about you in general. If you are applying to six schools with 20,000 students and one school with 5,000, they know you likely want a large student body and might not enjoy their tiny atmosphere. If you list four schools in rural cities, they know you are really interested in fewer distractions in college. If you're applying to five schools all in FL (and you live out-of-state) that have nothing else in common, they know how you probably choose them. </p>
<p>I listed all of my additional schools on any application that asked for them. I showed them that I am thoroughly researched, and also, I believe, that I'm realistic. When I interviewed at my reach school, they asked me whether I was considering other schools. I explained that while I was applying to other schools, I was not "considering" them. It showed the interviewer that they were my top choice (which I made very clearly) but I was not being arrogant enough to consider myself "in" before the decision was made.</p>
<p>thanks for the reply. It helps to understand why</p>
<p>my sister-in-law is an admissions counselor and she says it is important for the admissions office to know which schools most commonly overlap their own.
you dont need to list all the other schools you are applying to, its usually a good idea to just put down a few schools that are similar to that specific school</p>
<p>Thanks for the replies! I was completely paranoid for a moment... Another school that asks that question is Lawrence, meaning the two safety schools on my list request that information. How fortunate! I really am interested in my safeties though. I suppose I will have to convey that through the rest of my application.</p>
<p>List some, but not all of the schools that you are applying to. You don't want them to think they are a reach or a safety for you -- but just right! Maybe one more selective, one less and the rest about the same as the target school.</p>