<p>I asked the same question: <a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/540759-i-would-like-keep-my-search-results-private-best-way-do.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/540759-i-would-like-keep-my-search-results-private-best-way-do.html</a></p>
<p>There are some good responses there. I don’t mind just giving generic answers to people I don’t know very well, or just mentioning some matches (very good suggestion by one of the posters), but with people I know (i.e., schoolmates, it’s much more awkward).</p>
<p>Until EA Deadline, and after EA deadline about RD list: Oh, I’m still not completely sure. </p>
<p>If they pester, “It’s not worth saying anything because it may change!” </p>
<p>About whether I’m applying EA, before the deadline: “I’m not sure yet…”</p>
<p>After both deadlines hit, I think I’ll just go for a very clear but somewhat gentle: “I would rather not discuss college… Is there another topic/[insert subject change]”</p>