I don't actually think this question has anything to do with them scoping out their competition, but it tells them a lot about what you're looking for. Is it all co-ed schools, all single-sex, all secular, if you do have a religious school does it have something in common with the others? If it's a mixed bag and they can't seem tell what exactly you're looking for, it might seem that you don't know and are casting a wide net.

Here’s the deal.

You either tell the school where else you are applying or they will assume which ones schools are highly likely.

They see your DC’s application and they can reasonably guess where else they will probably be admitted and where they probably will not be.

By not telling them, you appear to”cagey”, which is, of course, correct.

So your choice is between telling the school and appearing cooperative and open and not telling them and having them guess while you appear uncooperative. That’s s not what they want to sign the school up for four or more years of.

Anonymous wrote:Do the schools ever talk to each other?

Yeah, DC-area private school admissions is a small world. They all know each other. They move between schools (example, a few years ago the AO from DC’s k-8 moved to the MS of the k-12 DC is now attending for HS; the AO of the HS recently moved to a different k-8 across the Potomac.)

Absolutely.

Do the schools ever talk to each other?

I think all the schools we applied to asked that. So we told them. No need to lie.

We were just honest. I don’t know the purpose of the question but they all seem to ask it.

Be honest. Although if you’re applying to a dozen schools, maybe pick 5 or something.

I would be honest. I feel like if you have to lie to get into a school you probably won't be happy there.

Be honest.

I am intrigued by how applications really do vary from school to school. Some schools have lengthy questions for parents and students to answer, some have only questions for parents, some have none beyond the basic family information and rely on the interviews + grades + scores + letters.

One school does specifically ask us what other schools we are applying to. I do know what other schools we are applying to, but I don't want to give off misleading impressions either. Would a school judge you for applying to a popular rival or a "better" school? We have to apply to multiple schools as we can't put all eggs in one basket! Should I be honest and not overthink it? Or only mention another school and leave out all the others?