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<li><p>Do schools care eabout what other schools you’re applying to? I know most schools don’t ask but say someone accidentally lets it slip. For example, if Dartmouth finds out Applicant B is also applying to Harvard and Amherst, will the admission officer’s mind immediately jump to “she just wants a highly ranked college,” which isn’t the case. Obviously, the higher ranked colleges have lots to offer.</p></li>
<li><p>Do colleges care that a recommender shares a recommendation with an applicant? Is that illegal? I can easily see a college not wanting to admit someone who disregards the law, so let’s say this is also slipped.</p></li>
<li><p>If something must be mailed in, and it says it must be “by this date,” does that mean that I have to give it to the Post Office before that date, on that date is also acceptable, or that it has to be received by that date?</p></li>
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<p>Some schools (Tufts and WUSTL) are known for discriminating against students they think are aiming higher. Many top schools, however, don’t take demonstrated interest into account. They’re confident they can rope you into coming if you’re good enough to be accepted. </p>
<p>This doesn’t mean, however, that you reveal that you’re applying to Harvard in your Williams interview. That would just make you look like you hadn’t done you’re research, since the schools offer vastly different experiences given their different locations and sizes.</p>
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<p>lol, no it’s not illegal. The waiver you sign is technically about seeing recommendations after you’re accepted, the theory being that teachers are likely to write more candidly if the student isn’t permitted access to it. But many teachers are happy to share their rec with the student to make sure they’re happy with it. If your teacher willingly shares your rec, that’s fine.</p>
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<p>It needs to be postmarked by that date, but don’t play the procrastination game.</p>
<p>I accidentally let it slip to one college representative that I’m applying to its peers too (sent email to wrong address).</p>
<p>I haven’t been procrastinating. My recommender is a bit busy, but I gave him the stuff weeks ago and asked for a rec even earlier. Do colleges penalize for recommendations’ tardiness? Will they just think the student waited until the last minute to give the forms to the recommender? Should I call to clear this up?</p>
<p>A couple schools do ask where else you applied. It is good to list a few colleges that they would consider their equals. I would not volunteer information that you have applied to 8 or more colleges. I also wouldn’t volunteer a list of colleges that would make them believe they are your safety school.</p>