Hi,
Sorry if this is repetitive but after reading a few threads, I still have a question:
I know honesty is the key (i mean this should be obvious) but should I say (just an example)
eg Im applying to 5 boarding schools in new england region
or, Im applying to [A school name], [B school name], . . .
or, im applying to 5 other schools
These are examples the actual question is just the heading
Yes, it’s been asked a thousands times.
I have posted this before. Here was my response:
As I always post: There is absolutely no reason in the world for any school to know which other schools you are applying to. Why? It is totally irrelevant data mining and is, IMO, a rude question. You can follow ski’s advice, although I think the most appropriate response would be, “Which other candidates are you considering for admission?”
If you feel compelled to respond, simply say, “I’m still finalizing my list.”
To add on, don’t let them pressure you into telling them more; be intentionally vague no matter how much they push, because eventually, they’ll lay off. It’s a strategy I use when people ask me about my college apps, and it’s never failed me 
I think they are trying to understand what you are looking for. So it’s okay to say “,only girls schools” or “schools that offer German”. It’s also okay to say you will make the final determination after you’ve finished all your visits as you are trying to be as well informed as possible. Then they’ll feel good that they made the cut! 
This. Exactly this. There is no reason to say more. If you continue to get pestered in the interview regarding the “where else” topic, ask yourself if THIS place is truly the right place for you when they are more interested in their competition than they are of learning about you.
A seasoned AO/interviewer would unlikely broach this topic. But, don’t be fooled by your student tour guide trying to make friendly peer conversations when you let your guard down 
Wait, do tour-guides have a day on whether i get admitted or not to BS?
At my school, we don’t. Not sure about any others.
They shouldn’t ask, but if they do, answer honestly and “in no particular order.” Honesty is always best.
If that leads to questions about what you’re looking for or what makes those schools similar…great! You presented yourself well and did not appear awkward, adversarial or as if you’re hidding something.
If it leads to a discussion that seems like they’re just managing yeild…well, then you’ve just gotta decide whether its a bad school or just a bad interviewer. IME, it’s usually the latter. Sorry, but it happens.
Not necessarily a say, but they work with the admission office and talk about candidates with the office. Even something as simple as a guide being asked by an AO, “how did that tour go today?” and a response from the guide can be telling. “OMG it was great/they had awesome questions/we had a great time talking about XYZ/they were super excited when I showed them the robotics lab/etc” is a lot different than “eh, it was ok/they had no questions/ they seemed annoyed/bored /they made rude comments about XYZ”. It isn’t direct input BUT it IS input. It follows the philosophy surrounding “you should always be on your best behavior because you don’t know who is watching”. Think of it being no different than ripping an administrative assistant a new bum-hole in an email because she sends you a message that your interview had to be rescheduled. She may not have an overall or direct say in whether you get admitted but she can certainly let someone on the committee know about your rampage. Just because the one student here said his/her school’s guides have no say, doesn’t mean someone in the admissions office isn’t reading between the lines of your body language or casual conversations. It isn’t surprising a student would not have honed interview skills nuances, but remember AOs typically are very good at reading the room picking up everything in formal and casual conversations, body language, and even silence. So even if he/she doesn’t think they are giving input, they ARE. Don’t be naive thinking you can be a twat just because you aren’t directly in front of an AO
My daughter was asked this during at least half of her interviews this year. She answered honestly and told them the other five schools. She was very intentional in her search, so the other schools should not be a surprise to the interviewer. They are all basically on the same level academically, offer a similar feel and experience, etc.
We didn’t even think to hide an answer or be vague - perhaps that will hurt her chances, but she was very open about her search.
One school did ask a follow up question during the parent interview and asked if she had a learning difference they should be aware of because she is applying to Proctor and they offer support services. We told them no, she does not receive support services in school and that she just liked the natural environment, kind community, and off campus programs offered there.
Isn’t this similar to the same question asked by some colleges, where the school wants to see if it is “safety” behind a more selective school that the applicant is reasonably likely to get admitted to? Then it can reject or waitlist the applicant and not worry about the lack of yield.
Basically, the applicant needs to avoid naming other schools that are more selective and which the applicant is reasonably likely to be admitted to.
I always answered truthfully because the schools all fit a clear criteria. I felt it showed an intentional search and that we understood what the schools could offer my daughter. She wasn’t going by rankings. She got in to all her schools.
She was not applying for the most rigorous schools and was TO. Chosen school has gone well for her this year.