Why do private schools ask you what other schools you are applying to and should I tell them?

[bunny123]

Hello everyone. Am applying to some private schools and in the application form, they ask what other schools I am applying to. Does anyone know why they ask this, and what shall I put down as I am disinclined to tell them anyway in case it adversely impacts on our application.

Any insight would be much appreciated.

[Lisawantsacat]

I'm a Registrar of an academically selective senior school. I ask because it helps me work with the family through the process. If they apply to a grammar I know they'll probably pick the free option if they receive an offer, but they won't fund out until March. If they're not applying anywhere else I might have a frank conversation about the stats at their chosen entry point, or ring the prep school head and advise they should be applying elsewhere. If they're applying to a competitor with an assessment date the same as ours I can pre-empt the clash. It's better to be honest, a school shouldn't discount you based upon that info.

[bunny123]

Thank you Lisawantsacat, that is really helpful.

[llamasinpyjamas]

Not sure how widespread this practice is, but when my DS was going through the process of applying for Y7 places, a few of his friends were offered scholarships at the school that was clearly their second choice, presumably as a means of tempting them to accept that school's offer rather than their preferred schools (these DC let it slip at interview which their own preferred school would be!)