<p>jamimom: Yes, I suppose if the question(s) makes the kid uncomfortable, then by all means, he/she probably shouldn't answer it. If that's the case, I see nothing wrong with saying, "I'm a little uncomfortable answering that question." Now I know how that answer might strike me as an interviewer, but who cares, since I'm not one. Actually, I think a follow-up question might be to ask the student why he/she is uncomfortable about answering, and the answer given would offer an interviewer real insight into how the student thinks (not to mention how articulate he might be). Still...I maintain if answering that question hurts a student's chances for admission to a particular school, and if rejected, would you ever know for sure...but if so, I stand by my original statement....then it sure wasn't the right school for that student. I do believe that. I will also say that my child was nominated for a full ride scholarship to a university and made it to the semi-finalist stage. At that stage, where interviews took place, she was asked specifically where else she had applied to school. She told the truth. Alas, I will believe--to my dying day--that this was, in part, to her disadvantage as she never made it to the finalist stage. I'm sure there were other reasons, but I have no doubt her answer might have made them suspect she wasn't completely loyal to their school. Obviously, it's a mistake for scholarship committees, much less schools, to think this way. Again, any student who is at the level to be nominated for a prestigious scholarship will also be applying to other top schools.</p>
<p>Yeah, it doesn't really feel fair that they are asking the kid to show their cards while playing their own hand close to the vest. They want to know who their competition is when kids don't know what their competition is. </p>
<p>I like Northstarmom's idea. Or maybe ask, "How is that relevant to my candidacy at ______?"</p>
<p>Whatever the kid says, he has to be able to pull it off. You can say almost anything and get away with it if it is said right. It's just that most of these interviews are not supposed to be an assessment by all info given by the colleges. It's supposed to be an opportunity for the student to speak with an alum and ask some questions, face to face. Why make the kids uncomfortable? Why is the info so relevant that they want it right on the audition sheet when the kids audition? It makes no sense to me.</p>