Applying earlier vs. closer to the deadline for regular decision?

<p>So here's the thing, I REALLY want my colleges to see and consider my senior year grades and the college reps who came to visit our school said that they did want our senior grades and those could be the difference between an acceptance and a rejection. But my senior year grades don't come out until January 25th and three of my schools' application deadlines are on January 15th. And they all said that it wasn't a problem and just to send the application, SAT scores, etc. and fax over my transcripts when my senior grades come in on the 25th so they can see my updated GPA, class rank, and everything. </p>

<p>But after they left I was talking to my friend and we were talking about the weight of letter grades vs. GPA. And she talked to some admissions counslers who said they didn't base their decision soley on how many A's and B's they see but if it came down between Person One and Person Two and Person One had all A's and B's and Person Two had some C's thrown in the mix they might choose Person One. </p>

<p>And I asked her how would it come down to those two people? And she said if they apply late, so apply early.</p>

<p>But I didn't want to apply super early because I heard you need to get transcripts to the college within three weeks of sending the application. And I don't want them writing me off without seeing my senior stats like they said they wanted to.</p>

<p>So what should I do? Apply close to the deadline to ensure my senior grades get sent before three weeks is up? Or just send in my application and figure out the transcipt thing later?</p>

Are you sure about the three weeks thing? I’ve never heard about any college doing that. If that is the case though, I would apply earlier because you’d be cutting it really close with the deadline if you didnt

Apply earlier instead of later - your GC can submit a mid year report.

Some scholarships, or admission to impacted majors, at some schools may be first come first served.