do I have to offer info on other schools that I am applying

[dandelionhh]

This may sound a dum question, but...

 

I have encountered this question (or questions to that effect) during application: What other schools are you applying?

 

Is the applicant obligated to provide such info? Presuming there is no instruction for this question on the application form - whether it is optional or required.

 

Will the answer or lack of an answer affect the applicant's chances, although I presume there is no way to know whether the applicant is answering the question trufully?  But if the applicant leaves this out, they would probably presume that the applicant is not being honest?

 

Thanks,

 

[Loric]

No, you don't have to answer.

Most won't care, but I'm sure there's some sticklers for "did not follow directions." Going over word limits by a single word also annoys those people.

On the flip side , commitment/interest is often a factor in acceptances. If you list notably "better" schools which you realistically have a shot if getting into - or worse when asked to rank, rank the school you're applying to low in the list - they see you as an unlikely real candidate. They will try not to "waste" an acceptance in you and move to the next person on the list.

[Loric]

Long story short: schools don't like being safety schools.

[WaterYouDoing]

I recently applied to a program that asked what other schools I was applying to, if any. The one program that asked this question also asked for a copy of my GRE scores downloaded from ETS. Since my report included the other schools I sent scores to, it made my decision a bit more obvious. Luckily, all three programs/universities I applied to are relatively similar in their reputation/program themes, so I didn't feel as though it would hurt or help me either way. I agree with Loric; schools want to know if they're your safety, is my guess. I would go with whatever you feel comfortable with. 

[dandelionhh]

Thank you guys. You were very helpful. I have met a few schools posting that question, and mostly I just ignored it, except for one that clearly instructed that the answer won't affect admission decisions (who knows). I came across this question again yesterday and had actually put in a few names there; but then I got your opinions. Now I decided to just ignore that question. I don't think I'm obligated to tell them that - they didn't explicitly say that that is required or not required. Thanks again,

[schoolpsycher]

Same here - decided not to answer that question!