According to Godwin’s Law, as a discussion grows longer, the probability of a comparison involving Nazis or Hitler approaches one. A similar development has enveloped seniors this fall. In the interest of wordplay, let’s call it Bowdoin’s Law: as a conversation between seniors grows longer, the probability of the word “college” or “application” being mentioned approaches one, too.

But these discussions take on fascinating hostilities. The specifics often veer toward, “So, where are youapplying?” For many reasons, many seniors are hesitating to answer this question.

One is the compelling notion that if kids who are applying to the same school discover the mutual intentions, tension would ensue. There is a perception of competition. However, MHS seniors must remember that they are being compared to the entire applicant pool, and are therefore only minimally being compared to one another. While it is true that admissions officers might be limited in the number of applicants they can admit from a given region or state, they do not generally limit individual schools. As one admissions officer told me, “What better way to increase interest in my college from a given high school than to admit lots of students from there?”

Another irrational reason why seniors do not like to discuss to where they are applying is the fear of rejection: if I tell people I’m applying to X College and X College rejects me, then everyone will think less of me. This does not really make sense. As a class, the seniors have had seven years to form opinions of classmates. These opinions are based on everyday observation and interaction, for seven years. X College, by contrast, looked at a few pieces of paper for a grand total of twenty minutes. The idea of admissions decisions as verdicts on the person of the applicant is ludicrous.

Still, we must respect those who do not wish to reveal their own plans. It is poor form to ask someone where he or she is applying. If you do ask, you must be open to revealing your own intentions. On the other hand, if someone asks you, you have every right to keep your plans private. But, since secrecy only heightens the drama and stress, we really do not see why.