Should I mention other universities I am applying to?
Asked by: Kellie Grimes | Last update: October 1, 2025Score: 4.3/5 (24 votes)
As you can read here, many students are turned down when the department believes the applicant will enroll at a higher-ranked program. If you mention the other programs you're applying to, and some are indeed higher-ranked, they might think they are your "safety" school and reject you in fear of their yield.
Should I list other universities I'm applying to?
The most important thing for college applicants to remember is that they should not answer the question with a list of all the schools they're applying to—the cons outnumber the pros. This is especially true when asked where you've been accepted.
Do colleges know if you applied to other colleges?
When you submit an application, your grades, activities, essays, and so on (or financial information) are sent directly to that school, and additional applications are also sent individually. The other schools on your list, and any information you have entered in their applications, is only visible to you.
Why do schools want to know what other schools you're applying to?
Knowing where else you are applying lets them emphasize the aspects of their school and programs that you'll likely find most appealing. To identify trends. Private schools know the other schools you are likely considering from a historical standpoint. If new trends are emerging, they want to be aware.
Can schools see what other schools you apply to?
In general, colleges do not have access to information about where else you're applying.
Grad School Application Overview, Timeline, and Tips!
Can colleges tell if you went to another school?
Yes, colleges will know if you've attended more than one high school because it will be reflected on your high school transcripts. When you apply to colleges, you're usually required to submit an official transcript from every high school you've attended.
Do other colleges know if you apply for an early decision?
Typically, schools don't share information about their applicants, so other colleges won't know if you've applied Early Decision (ED) to a school. The ED process is confidential, and colleges have their own applicants' pool to focus on.
Should you answer what other schools you're applying to?
You do not need to list any other schools specifically. Instead, provide an honest but vague response that indicates you are applying to other graduate schools and highlight the reasons you are applying to this particular program.
Can colleges see what other colleges you apply to on the Common App?
They cannot see other schools to which you are applying.
What to say when a college asks why you are applying?
- Don't rehash information found elsewhere in your application. ...
- Focus on telling a story about how you decided what you want to do and how you intend to pursue your goals in college.
- Think hard about what you want admissions officers to see in you.
Do universities talk to each other about applicants?
Rest assured they won't find out unless you tell them. That being said, you want to make sure that every piece of your application to each college screams, “I want you!” Colleges are shockingly insecure about whether a competitive student would enroll if admitted. Your interest in them can factor into the decision.
Can a college reject then accept you?
In most cases, especially in early decision applications, admissions decisions are final. In rare cases, students who are rejected may appeal their decision, but only if there was an egregious error in their submitted application, such as the wrong transcript being sent in or grades being inaccurately reported.
How many schools should you apply to for college?
How Many Colleges Should You Apply To? Most students should apply to somewhere between 13 to 15 colleges. There are no guarantees that you will be accepted to your desired school, but you should have a rough idea about your chances of admission to each school.
What is a good number of universities to apply to?
In general, most students apply to between 8 and 12 colleges. This is a good range to aim for, provided that the applications you submit represent a broad variety of colleges. Ideally, you want to apply to at least two safety, four target, and two reach schools.
Do colleges know when you apply to other colleges?
In most cases, colleges are unable to learn about the other schools to which you have applied.
Is it okay to apply to just one college?
The single most popular number of college applications is one. That said, if they have an early option, not a bad idea just in case.
Can a university find out if I attended another college?
Yes, colleges can potentially discover your previous school attendance even if you don't mention it in your application. One way they might find out is through the National Student Clearinghouse, which is a centralized database containing information about college students in the United States.
What colleges do not accept Common App?
- The State University of New York (SUNY)
- The California State University (CSU)
- Brigham Young University.
- United States Military Academy (West Point)
- United States Naval Academy.
- United States Air Force Academy.
Is it better to apply to colleges through the Common App?
However, the Common Application is generally the best choice, as this application is most widely used across the country. If you are applying to a college with multiple application choices, it is best to contact that school and find out if they have a preference.
Should you tell a school they are your top choice?
Even if the interview is optional, you should do it. Your willingness demonstrates that you're serious about attending this college, and in the interview, you can be candid about what drew you to that college and how you became convinced that it would be a good fit.
Do colleges see what other schools you apply to?
For the most part, the answer to this question is: no. College admissions officers don't have secret meetings to gossip about which of the incoming freshmen applied to their schools. They are much too busy reviewing applications for that.
What makes me stand out from other applicants college?
One of the best ways to stand out in your college applications is through crafting an insightful and introspective personal statement. The personal statement is your opportunity to showcase your remarkable character, values, and life experiences.
Do I have a better chance of getting into a college if I apply early?
Nevertheless, applying early action still increases acceptance chances over applying regular decision. To complicate matters further, some colleges and universities offer Restrictive Early Action (REA), a slightly different non-binding early application option.
Who decides if you get accepted into college?
An admissions committee is a group of people who review your application and decide whether you'll be a good match for their school. Gone are the days of paper applications, when admissions offices had stacks of files in cabinets and had to go through them all by hand.
Is there a limit to how many colleges you can apply to?
Colleges, after all, are businesses, and their customers — students — have the right to apply to as many universities as they see fit. The Common Application allows students to apply to up to 20 universities.