Applications - Trick Question?

[jkt0319]

I'm in the process of filling out my online applications for graduate schools (MPP) and a lot of the applications ask what other schools you are applying to. Should you be truthful or selectively mention some schools ( am applying to 8 but they don't all fit in the blanks they provide)? I remember hearing (and granted, this was during my undergraduate application process) that you are better off not telling schools their competition just in case.

So, is this question a trick question? Or am I just thinking too much? Is there a strategy to answering this question?

[gellert]

Answer with the schools you're applying to that match the given school best in terms of research fit. It can help you look focused and passionate about the subject.

If you're truly uncomfortable saying the other schools you're apping, though, I doubt anyone would hold it against you if you left it blank. But it CAN be turned into an asset to your application, as said above.

[elem3nt]

I suspect the purpose is 1) for the school to figure out who it's competing against and 2) to tell them what kind of applicant you think you are (i.e. is this particular school a long-shot, or are the other schools the same caliber as the one you're applying to?)

In either case it is expected that people will apply to multiple schools, and so you should answer the question truthfully. It is not a trick question.