Disclosing other offers/ interviews?

[LadyL]

So far 2/3 of the interviews I've attended have involved someone asking where else I've applied and/or interviewed. I am not sure what to respond. The first time I answered vaguely that I applied "all over the northeast" which is true. In the last interview I was asked how far I was in the interview process, and I said about 1/3 through which was truthful time wise. Towards the end of the day another professor asked specifically if I'd interviewed elsewhere and I told him which schools I'd been to. I am really not sure if it looks shady to be vague in response to these questions, or if it seems overly braggy to list off other schools that have invited me for interviews. Or, if the schools I'm interviewing at are lower/higher ranked than that school, whether than might influence how attractive a candidate I am.

How are all of you handling these questions?

[johndiligent]

With honesty.

Here's the thing, that question is asked for all sorts of reasons, some of which benefit you and some of which might not. For instance, sometimes the "Where else did you apply?" question is used for statistical purposes (to see who else the school is considered competitive with) or to gauge a timeline for when the student could reasonably know of all acceptances. Still further, I know profs who consider it one of the most pivotal responses on the application or in an interview, since it gives an indication of how well the applicant knows the field to which he/she is applying, how they self-assess their competitiveness, and most importantly, whether the "fit" as you presented it to them is an honest one or one based on convenience. Once you have offers, disclosing these to the prospective school might ensure you an even better offer than they would have given in the first place, if the school really wants you.

The negative way that the question might impact you are that the school might hear of a far better offer, know they can't match it, and thus not even offer you admission. Or a school might be so certain of you getting in to a higher tier school on your list that they don't offer, but then it turns out that you don't get accepted there, and you're screwed.

That said, I feel like a glib or vague response like "I applied all over the place" or "I applied to mainly north-eastern schools" hurts you more than the possible negative ramifications of having answered the question honestly. It makes what I'm sure was a very strategic plan of applying to schools that were all great fits sound haphazard and uncertain. Be honest and show them your seriousness as a scholar.

[rogue]

Or if you really don't want to name schools, but don't want to seem vague or haphazard, how about something along the lines of, "I applied to six programs that I found to be especially good fits for my research interests"?

[cogneuroforfun]

Just be honest. When I was asked, I was honest about what schools and what faculty I was interested in. It doesn't hurt you at all for prospective advisors to know you are interested in their peers and competitors. If you weren't, they would think you're probably not that serious of an applicant.

Edit: Oh, and as johndiligent said, saying "I applied all over the northeast" is about the worst you could do. You're telling the program that you applied there because it is in a convenient location, not because you thought they were a good fit for you. Probably the best answer you could give is saying who you applied to work with, as it implies you care about strong advisors and research fit over school prestige.

Edited February 17, 2010 by cogneuroforfun

[LadyL]

Just be honest. When I was asked, I was honest about what schools and what faculty I was interested in. It doesn't hurt you at all for prospective advisors to know you are interested in their peers and competitors. If you weren't, they would think you're probably not that serious of an applicant.

Edit: Oh, and as johndiligent said, saying "I applied all over the northeast" is about the worst you could do. You're telling the program that you applied there because it is in a convenient location, not because you thought they were a good fit for you. Probably the best answer you could give is saying who you applied to work with, as it implies you care about strong advisors and research fit over school prestige.

Heh, I gave that answer in the interview for the school that accepted me, so I guess I could have done worse .

[chimerical]

I always answer honestly but don't offer up more detail than what I am asked for. If you are worried that the school might assume they are a safety then it doesn't hurt to reiterate that you are very interested in them (assuming that's true of course - no need to lead anyone on if you probably won't attend).

[jacib]

I always answer honestly but don't offer up more detail than what I am asked for. If you are worried that the school might assume they are a safety then it doesn't hurt to reiterate that you are very interested in them (assuming that's true of course - no need to lead anyone on if you probably won't attend).

I was told by two separate Sociology professors at two separate schools not to disclose that I was also applying to Religion programs. Apparently, it's the mark of an "unserious" student to apply to two fields. While I think Sociology is particularly jealous in this regard, but you should be careful about mentioning that you're applying in other fields. Perhaps if you're applying to one or two departments in other fields it's less of a deal (especially if those are interdisciplinary) I bet, but I was applying to 50/50.

I agree with Chimerical's comment. Consider coming up with very specific reasons beforehand as to why their department is so awesome, even if they're not academic (geographic, etc.).

[red_crayons]

I've gotten this question from two programs.

The first program I love and is supportive and awesome. I told them honestly that there is one serious competitor that I hadn't heard back from yet, but that it would be a very tough call. They know the other program and understand the appeal, and they are still being supportive and awesome.

The second program asked about this after insulting my qualifications and before telling me I was accepted. I told them that I hadn't heard much yet, and that I wanted to gather more information about faculty and programs before I made any decisions. I didn't tell them what specific programs they were, but said they were similar, and that I had researched faculty and general program fit for all programs before I applied. I didn't say anything about their program specifically. I was still accepted.

Being relatively honest is usually the best policy, in my experience. People like the general truth, but they don't always need the specifics.

[jeanne]

The only time I was asked this was by a professor as a last minute question before we ended a phone interview. She even said that if I'm not comfortable answering then I didn't have to. But I figured it was on my application anyway, so why not? I answered that I had applied to several schools but was seriously considering two (obviously one was hers) and told her which one (it's ranked #1 in that department). She sounded a little upset, as if her school couldn't compete (even though it's ranked #5). After visiting both schools I liked her school much better so I made sure to tell her how impressed I was and how much I wanted to go though, assuming funding worked out. I said it tactfully, of course. She seemed to like my honesty and just wanted to know for her own reasons, although she did tell the student taht i stayed with during the visit, which I thought was a little odd. But I think they're bff's, which is also odd.

[cogneuroforfun]

Heh, I gave that answer in the interview for the school that accepted me, so I guess I could have done worse .

I think it just goes to show that it isn't that important of a question, and they were obviously excited about you and your qualifications Congrats, by the way!

[chimerical]

I was told by two separate Sociology professors at two separate schools not to disclose that I was also applying to Religion programs. Apparently, it's the mark of an "unserious" student to apply to two fields.

Oh that's a good point, I've heard of this being a problem for people that apply to multiple fields. If you have very interdisciplinary interests you might be able to sell them on it but it's probably best to just name the schools and not the program in that case.

[Catch22alex]

If anything, I would consider it a competitive thing to disclose multiple interviews. To me it says, "I'm sought after.. better offer me admission soon before I make my decision"

[merv]

I'm a little nervous about this question. I've only applied to 3 programs, all different and all at the same school. How could answering honestly (or bluntly) hurt me?

[Bryan]

The PI with whom I work with now explicitly told me that when I have an admissions result in hand and I'm waiting for more schools, tell the other schools so they can at least hurry up or maybe even realize you're more competitive than they originally thought.

[Genomic Repairman]

Bryan makes a good point. We (I sit as a student member on admin committee) ask so we know if you have other schools you might be waiting to hear back from and time tables you have to work with. If anything else it might increase your chances of fielding an offer from us if we want you since we know about competition. Also just answer the question, don't be a slippery eel. As your lack of candor can negatively affect your current interview.

[red_crayons]

Bryan makes a good point. We (I sit as a student member on admin committee) ask so we know if you have other schools you might be waiting to hear back from and time tables you have to work with. If anything else it might increase your chances of fielding an offer from us if we want you since we know about competition. Also just answer the question, don't be a slippery eel. As your lack of candor can negatively affect your current interview.

Sanity! I love it.

The second school I got accepted to seemed pleasantly surprised by my thoughtful and honest answer to the "have you gotten in elsewhere?" question. I told them I was starting to hear back from the small number of programs where I applied, and that I wanted to gather as much information as possible by talking to faculty and students at all the programs. That is true - I'm hearing back from a couple programs, and I'm not making a final decision until I investigate each one, even though I have a preference already. The professor seemed impressed with my answer and said it sounded like a good stage to be at at this point in time. I didn't have to tell them specific schools, but I got across that I was being thoughtful and methodical about the process, and that I have other options so they better be working hard to woo me.

If you assume the people you want to work with can't handle your honesty and lie/act evasive with them, why would you trust them as colleagues to be honest to you in the future? The golden rule.

This process really isn't a game, and it's not random. It's carefully thought through and people are looking for integrity, a good personality, and interesting ideas in addition to your scores. How you answer this question is tied to those non-numerical questions of personality and integrity.

[murpstud]

I was just on a campus visit to a school that I've been accepted to. The Chair outright asked me if I was coming there, and I said most likely but I'm not sure yet, and told him I hadn't heard back from other schools yet. I really want attend this program, but I cannot in good conscience make a decision yet without knowing my other offers. They understand this right? Just trying to sway me? I want to go there but if I get a better offer from another school (funding), I can't turn it down, as much as I'd prefer this program. He asked me how important funding was to me, and I was honest and told him it is important, but not the most important factor. I didn't want to sound needy, while at the same time I didn't want to sound like I'd be fine without it. Am I good?

[daimiasue]

So I'm currentlyon a interview and the professor ask where else i'd applied within the first 15 minutes of arriving. I wasn't uncomfortable..Just smiled remembering this thread and told him. Have interviews tomorrow so i'm expectin them to ask.