"So where are you applying... Harvard?"

<p>Haha, I knew the conversation was going to veer this way--I don't know why ppl get so angry at this though. I think it's a legitimate concern (albeit an unimportant one in the grand scheme of things) and I don't think eating food is being snobby/pretentious by bringing it up.
My issue is not that the schools are too prestigious to say, but that all the adults that ask (outside of my school) want and expect that I'll stay close to home. So when I say schools that are hours away by car, people tell me how disappointed they are that I'm doing this my parents, etc. I hate dealing with that but I really am not applying to any schools in my state so I just have to say I don't know yet.</p>

<p>"Don't disappoint the people. If you are a top student they will expect you to apply to Harvard.
Many adults feel pride by association (like when your baseball team makes it to the playoffs even though they are not baseball fans)."</p>

<p>Well, then they can expect you to apply even if you don't "Know where you're applying yet."</p>

<p>Yes. It'll keep them happy. Adults can be funny that way.</p>

<p>i have been in your situation many times! and it sucks because those who might not know you so well academically are probably thinking, "he/she wishes..." ha.</p>

<p>Now take all of this and imagine living in an all-Asian neighborhood and attending a HS that is 40% Asian...:(</p>

<p>Seriously though...don't be afraid to tell people. It's not going to make you less of a human being if you're rejected from Harvard. Just be aware that the inquirer is usually not your well-wisher (well, that's true at least in the realm of savagely competitive Asian parents).</p>

<p>I say:</p>

<p>"Probably UNC-CH, State, and Duke... I'm looking at a few others like The University of Chicago and MIT... maybe HYP... depends on my SAT scores."</p>

<p>Note that I actually say "HYP" and not "Harvard Yale Princeton." By quickly changing the subject to where the other person is applying, I typically avoid questions about HYP. Being a sophomore, mostly adults and friends are asking.</p>

<p>Please.</p>

<p>Whenever someone asked me where I was applying, I friggin' told them. It's lame to beat around the bush.</p>

<p>I agree. just say it- there's nothing to be ashamed of.</p>

<p>^not a good strategy if people do the "crowd" strategy of all applying to one school</p>

<p>For me, when I tell people about my ivy league applications I feel like now they will expect so much or they will think I'm wanting to much. I'm applying to 4 ivys...</p>

<p>When pepole ask I just say I'm applying to this state school and that safety then I say plus some "pretty top schools on the East coast." After that, they get the point and say, "Oh, you're applying to Harvard?" Then I say, yah (in a shy, timid way) then I say i know people there and it doesn't hurt to try...
If you try to make conversation around it, the embarrassment or awkwardness fades...a little. I still feel exposed though when I say all that.</p>

<p>no, I totally agree. or, they dont even say the harvard thing, they just ask where I want to go. i don't like saying that harvard and yale are my top choices lol...I feel so pretentious -_-</p>