will the admission committee know how many programs I applied

[Dave Lee]

Hi, my professor told me that the admission committee will actually know what other programs I have applied, because many of the programs share information.
Is this true?
Because I don't want to tell them what other programs I applied, will they find out and deny my admission because of this?

 

[euroazn]

Why would you want to keep it a secret?

 

[Dave Lee]

Why would you want to keep it a secret?

Why I want to tell them?
I am afraid that there is some bias here if I told them other schools I am applying.
Tier 2 school may think that I want to go to Tier 1, so they won't admit me.
Tier 1 school may think that I already have some safe schools, so they it doesn't matter if they deny me.
For schools at the same tier, they may think that I am undecided to which program. If they admit me, but I did not go, it will decrease their enrollment rate. Thus, they may tend to deny me.

 

[Cham]

How many programs are you going to apply ? Are they all MFE or also OR programs (like Columbia MSOR or Stanford MS&E)?

 

[Dave Lee]

How many programs are you going to apply ? Are they all MFE or also OR programs (like Columbia MSOR or Stanford MS&E)?

All MFE, around 7 programs

 

[euroazn]

Why I want to tell them?
I am afraid that there is some bias here if I told them other schools I am applying.
Tier 2 school may think that I want to go to Tier 1, so they won't admit me.
Tier 1 school may think that I already have some safe schools, so they it doesn't matter if they deny me.
For schools at the same tier, they may think that I am undecided to which program. If they admit me, but I did not go, it will decrease their enrollment rate. Thus, they may tend to deny me.

They already know you're applying to other schools though - it's common sense to apply to many. It's not going to come as a surprise to them. Lying, on the other hand, is just asinine.

 

[Cham]

Ok and if you apply to Mfe's but also to an OR program. For instance, if you apply to 4 "classic" MFE programs (CMU, NYU, Baruch, Mit) , and the MS&E program in Stanford. Is it a problem?

 

[ygmwy]

Everyone worries about this, and some even go so far as attempt to lie about which schools they've applied to. The worst thing you can do is lie since they might share info. Just be honest. Don't worry about it. I applied to like 6 and got multiple acceptance, as well as most everyone in MFE programs right now. I also know people who applied to MFE programs as well as CS programs, and other not so related fields. Admissions committees all think their school is the best, and they think that if they accept you, you'll choose them. I even got some scholarship--probably because the schools wanted to make sure they secure top talent. Don't worry about it. Just be truthful. Don't worry about it. And make sure not to worry so much.

What you should be worrying about is whether you are good enough to get accepted.

 

[Dave Lee]

thank you guys for all the inputs

 

[Cham]

Thanks !