I am applying for higher studies in US universities. Every time I fill up the online form, there is a section where they asked which other universities or programs I am applying too? Why do they ask these questions? Do they check where I am applying? What if I wrote a university name but later drop the idea to apply?
Asked
Active
Viewed 454 times
4
-
Do you mean the online application of an individual university or something more general? There are generalized portals for application, but I thought they were used primarily for undergraduate applications. – Buffy Apr 09 '21 at 13:16
-
5Does this answer your question? Why do graduate school application forms ask applicants to name the other schools to which he/she is applying? – GoodDeeds Apr 09 '21 at 14:36
-
1Also related: PhD application asking what other insitution I am applying to, how to answer? – GoodDeeds Apr 09 '21 at 14:36
-
1I think they're much more likely to use the information for internal statistics and for grant applications rather than the reasons mentioned in the Q&A linked by GoodDeeds. There might be some consideration of whether applicants are likely to go someplace else, but I don't think programs are going to play those games much when they think a particular student is a good fit. Maybe a bit different if you spend your entire interview talking about how great Harvard is. – Bryan Krause Apr 09 '21 at 16:24
1 Answers
3
The questions referenced by GoodDeeds covers most of your question - the why. For the rest:
In the US it would probably be impossible (illegal) for one university to query another about a student's application, so, no, they don't check.
And there will be no consequences if you list a school and then change your mind.
Don't feel any special obligation to answer such a question. I actually doubt that they use such a question to determine whether to accept you or not. It could be counterproductive for everyone.
Buffy
- 363,966
- 84
- 956
- 1,406