App question: What other schools are you applying to?

Question

Hi,

On some apps ive noticed, they ask you what other schools you are applying to? Anyone have experience what the "right" or "best" answer to this is? I feel like there is no upside for me by answering but then, there's downside to not answering. Thanks

bakfed · Answer

wow, that's weird; I haven't seen any question like that (I truly don't understand the point behind this question in the first place since it should place no weight on schools' decision making). I'd be as honest as I can be. If I'm deciding, but haven't made a decision on a school, I wouldn't put it down. But if I know, for a fact, that I'll be applying to XYZ school, I'll definitely put it down.

mc · Answer

Haas does this, and I think McCombs did it last year, as well. I'm also taking the approach of being honest. My biggest concern would be a school dinging someone because they recognize a superstar using the school as an obvious safety and want improve their yield. But I would guess that's pretty rare.

jordanhendrix · Answer

^^^i hate to think schools take that into consideration but the more i think about it the more i think they do. If i were columbia and interested in increasing the yield numbers i would.

shaselai · Answer

i seen a few on apps - those arent "required" questions so you dont have to answer if you dont want to... But I put down schools are definitely "inferior" than the school i am applying to in terms of ranking to make that school look good

Jeanette · Answer

too bad they'll have no reason to give you scholarship then!

method · Answer

I would respond as follows:

While I respect your admissions process, I choose to decline answering this question. I prefer to be judged on the merit of my fit with your program without taking into consideration my fit with any other specific programs. My main criteria for selecting schools consists of ____, ____, and ____, and I have an unshakable belief that your program meets these points brilliantly. I look forward to the day I can call myself an engaged member of the ____ community.

3underscore · Answer

They are typically used for internal peer group assessment rather than any judgement on the candidate.

wiredo · Answer

I'm applying to Haas and have chosen to declare the other (similarly-ranked) schools I am applying to. The way I reasoned it, if this question comes up in the interview, I can honestly state which other schools I'm applying to and why, but stress that Haas (or whatever school) is the best program for me because X, Y, and Z.

Jeanette

too bad they'll have no reason to give you scholarship then!

This is a great point! I hadn't thought about this.

method · Answer

Why not review the half-dozen rankings to assess how your program stacks up? Why not survey students after admissions/scholarship decisions have been made? I don't understand why this would be included in the admissions process for any reason other than scholarship offers and yield protection.

And if it comes up in an official interview, the last thing I'd want to talk about is another school.

farful · Answer

I'm bumping this thread.

Several of the schools I'm considering have this question and I'm at a loss on how to answer it. For example, if it's on the worst school I'm applying to (but I'd be happy to go there if it's the only one I'm accepted to!) does that look bad? Are schools concerned at all with their own rejection rates? Or what if it's the best school I'm applying to, do they think I'm crazy if I'm applying to only lower ranked schools?

Other factors to consider are my official GMAT report. I selected five schools at the time, somewhat randomly. How does this affect the answering of this question?

I'm probably overthinking this...

Uranius · Answer

Hello,

I am facing the same question in my application. Can anybody say, how to handle this tricky question? Well, to be as honest, as possible, I know, but:
1) School can have no reason to offer you a scholarship if it is the best ranked school you are applying to
2) School can be "not happy" if it is only your back-up school
3) Do you think it is wise to refute to respond to this question as Method has proposed?

Thank you for any tips!

Ward2012 · Answer

I think you should just answer the question honestly and try not to read too much into why the school is asking. That is how I approached it.

melk · Answer

Does anyone have advice on what to do given a situation like the following? My parents both graduated from the same MBA program, and some applications ask for the highest degree earned by your parents and from what school. If I answer the what other schools are you applying to honestly, then I have to include the school my parents are alumni of, and I fear that the fact I applied there and my parents are alumni, makes it look like other schools are not my first choice. Should I leave this off?

Thanks!

Thanks!

MBAbot · Answer

Hello from the GMAT Club MBAbot!

Thanks to another GMAT Club member, I have just discovered this valuable topic, yet it had no discussion for over a year. I am now bumping it up - doing my job. I think you may find it valuable (esp those replies with Kudos).

Want to see all other topics I dig out? Follow me (click follow button on profile). You will receive a summary of all topics I bump in your profile area as well as via email.

App question: What other schools are you applying to?

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