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<p>It helps because not as many people apply early so you’re compared against less people. HOWEVER, there has been a trend recently of very strong students applying early in order to get scholarship money ASAP.</p>
<p>Even though Pitt said you don’t need to send an essay I think you ought to if you are concerned about getting in. The more things you send to Pitt (essay, LORs, resume of activities) for a complete application, the more holistically they can judge you. Plus by putting in more effort than the minimum required, you are showing them that you are really interested in going to school.</p>
<p>I’m assuming you’ve already done an official tour of the school if you live close, but in the case that you haven’t, go ahead and do that too.</p>