I am wondering what the pros and cons are of answering the question about where else the applicant is applying? Is it wise to let them know you are casting a wide net or is better to just give one or two other schools? Thoughts?
I would say do not answer. It only allows them to see the chances of you coming if you are accepted, which are less the larger your net. The only point at which I would think it would be good to answer is to your top choice school, to let them know that you definitely will apply if accepted. However, don’t say this if it isn’t true. Good luck.
I think you’re asking the wrong question. The question should be, “How do you answer the question about other schools to which you are applying.” Asking about pro’s and con’s implies that you have an option in answering the question, which while you technically do, IMO any variation of “It’s none of your damn business” will not get you any points.
For me, my interviews were all well before the application date, so my answer was, “I’m still finalizing the list, but the schools to which I will apply offer X, Y, and Z.”
When I went through the college admissions process my answer before the application deadline was as above. My answer after the application was submitted is, “I’m applying to schools that offer X, Y, and Z, such as AA, AB, and AC,” where two of the schools are at the same level as the school asking the question, and the third is a step below. I would not list all the schools, and I would list them in random (or alphabetical) order.
How I wanted to answer the question is: “I’m applying to all the HADES schools. While we’re on the subject of inappropriate questions, how much money do you make?” 
When asked on the application my kids answered the question by listing the other schools. Some schools make it a mandatory question and we were told to answer honestly by the advisor at current school.
Thank you both for answering. You are correct. I didn’t mean to imply I wasn’t going to answer it - I was trying to figure out how best to answer it. I agree that the question itself is somewhat out of line which is what kind of threw me. I will mull over these thoughts and hopefully find the right answer that most benefits our DS in the end. Happy New Year!
Is there a formal application question outside of the interviews that requires the list of the school’s you are applying to?
Yes. NMH, Suffield, and another school (can’t remember, may have been Hotchkiss) ask this question on one of the forms. The answer is not optional.
Just answer honestly. The world is small, I think the schools have a decent sense of where most applicants apply.
Was this on the application form/online or in person? I recall general conversations asking where else we were headed on that particular visit (i.e. Western MA and CT). One or two (or maybe even more) coaches may have asked for a detailed list as well. I don’t recall seeing anything on the actual application for either Hotchkiss or Suffield.
Application form, not interview. In the SAO, both NMH and Suffield have a required supplemental form that asks this question. The third school asking the same question on one of its forms was using the Gateway application. I’ll go back to check which one, since I just can’t remember.
@MAandMEmom Apparently it’s a SAO thing. For example, if you apply to Suffield through Gateway, you are not asked to provide the supplemental form on which this question appears. However, if you apply to Suffield through SAO, you have to answer these questions. It’s the same for NMH.
GK1 reports that she was asked where else she is applying in ALL of her interviews for BS that some would describe as “second tier,” “hidden gems,” etc. She says that AOs at some of her “reach” schools also asked, but overall they weren’t as probing.
Actually, I remember her first reaction after one of “those” interviews: “Geez! All she wanted to know was which schools I really liked. Can’t she ask me something about me?!”
Yes @GoatMama that must be the difference – we are using the Gateway application as all of the schools she’s applying use that form. I agree that some of the less competitive schools were the ones most likely to ask.
My child was asked by the interviewer and even the student tour guides. It seemed very conversational. However, I suspect that the AO/interviewer wants to see if you are applying to all similar schools: i.e top schools or are they the reach school or the safety depending on the school in question.