Any disadvantage in submitting at the last minute?

<p>If I wait until, say, Dec 30-31 to submit my application, will there be any repercussions whatsoever?</p>

<p>I got an email from Harvard about two months ago saying that if I submitted it by Dec. 1 they would have “more time to review my application and set up an alumni interview.” Stanford never mentioned anything of the sort. If submitting it at the last minute means that it will be better than it would be if you submitted it early, then submit it at the last minute. I honestly do not think it will make any difference. They have three months to review your app… one more week will not make much of a difference. Plus the probably get a couple thousand applications submitted on the last day anyways.</p>

<p>The only thing is that if something goes wrong there will be nobody in the office to help as they are all on vacation. They won’t be kind to any late submissions, so wait until the end at your own risk.</p>

<p>The only risk you run is a server or Common App system error. Common App issue is not something Stanford would extend the deadline for.</p>

<p>Our D submitted her app last year minutes before the RD deadline. She’s a freshman so I guess it didn’t hurt her. </p>

<p>Stanford is only piloting alumni interviews so they don’t really factor in to the decision process.</p>

<p>Why does it really matter that you HAVE to do it last minute. Be safe do it the day before. Im sure the changes you might think of that you havent by now wont affect your decision… and if anything happens, your gonna be a nervous wreck for 2-3 weeks</p>

<p>Dont they read the apps in the order they received them, thus the last few people might not have as much of a shot because they are running out of admit spots?</p>

<p>Actually, they may not read the apps as they come in because some early apps will be missing pieces (recs, transcripts, etc.) while others who submit later may have a complete file.</p>

<p>I submitted mine a few minutes after the due date, actually (because I’m an AP nut [Advanced Procrastinator]), and I still got in EA. It’s a better idea to submit things early, though. I rushed through my application and I found several mistakes on it, so I faxed the admissions office a letter. However, like Secret Asian Man mentioned, there’ll be nobody at the admissions office to help should anything go wrong.</p>

<p>I’ve never really thought about the order they go in . . . I wouldn’t think much of it unless it’s for a college with a rolling admission policy.</p>

<p>One word answer: YES!!</p>

<p>I submitted mine late also, and ended up getting a likely letter. I wouldn’t say it matters much.</p>