Similar graduate schools

[donbradman]

Nowadays, many graduate schools are asking about what other places you are applying to. Moreover, I read on Quora that it is better to only write the names of graduate schools that are somewhat similar to the one you are applying to. So, I am applying to following universities to pursue a PhD in Analytic Number Theory:

1. Ohio State University
2. University of Minnesota
3. Texas A&M University
4. University of Virginia
5. Washington State University
6. University of Texas at Dallas

As I am an international student, I was wondering if the first 4 schools are perceived as "similar" graduate schools by other math students and the universities themselves?

[thewitness]

Yes, they are quite similar, with most candidates likely having relative preferences in the same order.

[TheBlackMathGuy]

I'm uniquely qualified to speak on this as I completed undergrad at the #1 school on your list and am currently pursuing my PhD at the #2. I can say pretty confidently that both of those schools are structurally similar.

#3 is fairly similar as well, though slightly below them in ranking. As for #4, I don't know much about them but I've heard their department is on the smaller end. (Still decent, just smaller)

OSU, UMN, & TAMU are very much big departments.