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.

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.

Thank you Lisawantsacat, that is really helpful.

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!)