Only applying to one school - shall I state it in the app?

Agree with mreevit, exposing that you're only applying to one school could raise judgement concerns. Just leave it out and then you don't have anything to worry about!

Trying to be the devil's advocate here...

I think it might prove counter productive.. If your overall application does not shape up in a way that convinces the ad-com about the genuineness of your intentions or if the application as a whole seems lacking to them in terms of research, the committee might get a reason to believe that here's a candidate who is probably writing the same thing (applying to only that school) for all applications to simply create a good albeit false impression..

Not that I'm doubting your dedication or intention in any way, but just thought that I should highlight this view point as well!

All the best!!

Hey,

Thank you all for your responses. I will elaborate my situation a bit more:

I started college 3 years late due to some family problems (aged 21). Later on I went for Mechanical Engineering and started working. Operations have always been my field of interest, and so whilst at university I searched for a related job and did some internship as engineer in a manufacturing company. In 2008 wandering the web looking for interesting manufacturing lectures from MIT OpenCourseWare found LGO and instantly fell in love. I had to do that, I though. I did two MSc, one in manufacturing and the other one in industrial management in order to prepare better and went all out into manufacturing. Atm I'm working as manufacturing manager, 28 yo.

As I said I've been preparing myself for it for 3 years now. In fact after some time following the program I decided to register in the LGO newsletter (that was in June 2009). Considering I'm willing to apply for 2012 that could be a proof at least. I'm really not interested in anything else but MIT LGO, although at some point maybe if I fail to get accepted for two years (and in that case considering that I'll be 30-31 yo) I might be willing to consider something else but as for now MIT LGO is my primary and only objective.

Go for it! You can center your application around 1) what you want to ultimately do 2) how you realized the program would get you there 3) and finally all of the prep work you did to get you in a competitive position. You can make a case for why that program is a million times better for your goals than any other out there and why you have dedicated yourself to it completely.

The downside to this is if you're an otherwise competitive applicant, you will have effectively ended any chance of a scholarship from the school.

Not all scholarship money is allocated for competition with other schools. I effectively applied to one school (T5), and got a full ride. It depends on the school, the circumstances, the stipulation of specific fellowships and scholarship tranches and many other factors.

To the OP, I say go for it. Why would you moderate your enthusiasm and desires because you're worried about someone's perceived value of your judgement based upon their own narrow definition of risk and reward. That's silly.

at best it's neutral and at worst it hurts you. no need to specify it's the only program you are applying to but by all means you can describe how its your top choice and how have been preparing for its unique blah blah blah for the past three years, etc.