Letting a School Know your Level of Interest

caroline9

Is it okay or even wise to let a school know that they're your first choice and you would withdraw your other apps if accepted (via email or during an interview)? For reference, its a state school with around 65% in-state population and I'm OOS with loose ties. Thanks for your insight!

Nice_home

For what it's worth, I did this. (I didn't let them know I would withdraw other apps though; conversely, I implied I am applying to other comparable schools.)
Not sure yet how it will go....

JDream2025

@Nice_home said:
For what it's worth, I did this. (I didn't let them know I would withdraw other apps though; conversely, I implied I am applying to other comparable schools.)
Not sure yet how it will go....

May I ask how you did that? Did you email admissions or made a notation of it in your PS?

Nice_home

@JDream2020 said:

@Nice_home said:
For what it's worth, I did this. (I didn't let them know I would withdraw other apps though; conversely, I implied I am applying to other comparable schools.)
Not sure yet how it will go....

May I ask how you did that? Did you email admissions or made a notation of it in your PS?

Both. I just tried to be as smooth as possible. I know doing so is a risk, however my application has various deficiencies so I felt I probably need to take some additional risks to have any potential hope to reap the reward. Also my personality tends to be more aggressive in this type of area, so I felt I was being authentic in attempting this approach. This strategy is not for the faint of heart or those who are more conservative on the risk-taking front.

Selene Steelman

Former admissions officer speaking up here. If a school is your top choice, definitely let them know this and any reasons why. You can put this in your personal statement, your Why X essay, or mention it in a conversation/interview.

A promise to withdraw your application from all other places where you have applied/been admitted is appropriate to put in a letter of continued interest if you are trying to get off a waitlist, particularly after a deposit deadline. Good luck!