Disclosing where I am applying? Required?

[jdunlap]

Hello everyone,

Would love to get some people's and expert's opinions on disclosing where you are applying to schools. It seems to me this could only hurt your chances, especially at mid-tier programs, if you are taking shots at top programs.

For example, I applied to Stanford and Wharton, but am very interested in programs like Tuck and Darden and would like to be considered fairly.

Am I obligated to respond honestly? Or is this an unfair question?

Thank you guys,
Jackson

[bradenm2]

I've been wondering this as well. Any expert opinions?

[jdunlap]

Any thoughts? Would love to hear an expert opinion if anyone has a sec.

[Jon@Admissionado]

Sure. Our rule of thumb: don't tell them about any schools which are perceived as BETTER. But DO tell them about at least one school which is similar in ranking/prestige. So for example, if you tell NYU you have also applied to Columbia (Bad idea) they will KNOW 100% for sure that if you get into Columbia you are going THERE. And if you tell them it can hurt your chances, so don't.

Hope this helps.

[jdunlap]

Jon - As usual, you are the man. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.

[Jon@Admissionado]

You got it sir.
That's what we're here for.

[tommycanuck]

Hi Jon,

Hopefully this is the very smallest of factors as I was apparently too truthful in my applications then. I thought that it would have been too obvious to lie on the application and say I wasn't applying to any other programs as school X is "my top choice" or say on a top program's application mention some bad alternative school, but I thought it would be too common of a stance to take...doh. My only hope is that someone on the admission's committee appreciate's the honesty.

Tom

[jeprince112]

What are your thoughts if the applicant applies through the Consortium? For instance, if he/she applies to the max (6 schools), all of which are different rankings.

Will each of those schools see the full list of schools to which the applicant applied? And will that hinder chances of getting in?

[Jon@Admissionado]

Hi Jon,

Hopefully this is the very smallest of factors as I was apparently too truthful in my applications then. I thought that it would have been too obvious to lie on the application and say I wasn't applying to any other programs as school X is "my top choice" or say on a top program's application mention some bad alternative school, but I thought it would be too common of a stance to take...doh. My only hope is that someone on the admission's committee appreciate's the honesty.

Tom

Well, it's not as if the school's not gonna invite you if they want you to come anyways! I don't know that they will "appreciate your honesty", cause as you well know, they have their own needs and interests. (In this case, better yield and higher ranking). The idea though is to give yourself every last advantage you can.

[Jon@Admissionado]

What are your thoughts if the applicant applies through the Consortium? For instance, if he/she applies to the max (6 schools), all of which are different rankings.

Will each of those schools see the full list of schools to which the applicant applied? And will that hinder chances of getting in?

That is a VERY good question! To which I don't know the answer
But maybe you can ask the Consortium. And if you do find out, I'd love to hear what the answer is, do you maybe you can share it with your MBA applicant brethren here on Beat the GMAT?

[MBAsian]

how will they find out about the other applications? This only apply for those applications that allow you to provide such optional information? Or are they able to see the choices from where you submit your GMAT score, I highly doubt this.

[tommycanuck]

Well, it's not as if the school's not gonna invite you if they want you to come anyways! I don't know that they will "appreciate your honesty", cause as you well know, they have their own needs and interests. (In this case, better yield and higher ranking). The idea though is to give yourself every last advantage you can.

I don't know, still doesn't seem right. It appears that the "pro" advice would be to lie on the application then? If my honesty has hurt me, I sure hope someone's lies might as well (perhaps a background check of some sort?). Otherwise, it needs to be a wash and should not be factored into the adcom's decisions.

It just doesn't make sense that they would include such a loaded question on the application that, from your account, basically asks if one wants to damage their chances or not. If it's actually used as an admission consideration I really hope they enforce the integrity of the answer, or else what's the point? Everyone should say they are applying to some random, worse school when they are applying for any school.

[Jon@Admissionado]

The advice is not to lie, but to omit, and the reason for it, is because the question is a loaded one, and although hoping that they would "enforce the integrity" is nice, it's also unrealistic. The schools, like anyone and anywhere else have their own interests. And omitting some other schools you are applying to seems fair, as it has quite little to do with your career, who you are or what you do, but rather a quite personal piece of information that could put you at a disadvantage if used incorrectly.

But of course, if you feel uncomfortable with it, go ahead and give them the whole list. Again, like I wrote, if you gives you certain advantages in certain cases, but is less important than having great grades, a great GMAT, being passionate, etc.