Apply way earlier than deadline = helpful?

NorCalDad
Wed, 26 Jul 2006 03:44:14 +0000

Julyinoh, I agree with Tonyt88, I don’t think submission earlier or later matters, except in the case of those schools with “rolling admissions”. My advice would be to make sure your application is complete and the best representation of who you are when it is submitted. Also, many schools will say they have no “preferences” for online vs. paper application submissions, but then they “encourage” you to submit your app electronically/online because it speeds their processing. I would take them up on the “encouragement” for online apps. Also, do NOT wait until the very last day because there will be a ton of people who do. Last Novemember 30th, the University of California’s admissions applications server crashed due to the onslaught of last minute app filers. Because of the logjam and ensuing complaints, UC extended the deadline another couple of days – although a lot of students didn’t find out about the extension until it was too late. Give yourself a week or two, just in case.

Just for grins, here is what Harvard says (and they are not alone in this policy):

“Are a student’s chances of admission enhanced by submitting application materials before other applicants?”

No. We request, however, that students submit the Common Application and the Harvard Application Supplement by October 15 (for Early Action) or December 15 (for Regular Action) if possible. Receipt of these two forms allows us to expedite application processing and to arrange personal interviews more quickly.