<p>I talked to my guidance counselor today, and he told me that for selective schools, I should submit my application as early as possible. I don't really understand why he said that. This would be for the schools to which I'm applying regular decision. I always thought that it didn't really matter when the application is submitted; the adcoms look at them all at the same time. Rolling admissions schools are the exception. Does it really help to send an application for RD to the college in, say, November?</p>
<p>i think,,,</p>
<p>ED is not the same as RD...</p>
<p>ED means you have a greater chance to enter the college..</p>
<p>My D's GC said the same thing, to not wait until the deadline. There seem to be a few advantages to getting it in a little early. More time to make sure nothing is missing or got lost in the mail; making a good impression on the admissions staff; admissions may start reviewing applications early; scholarship deadlines may be earlier;and you can enjoy your holidays with less stress. And there's always a few people who miss the deadline because they wrote it down wrong or something. </p>
<p>The disadvantages I can think of are that you can spend more time working on your essays if you wait and that you might get an additional award that you heard about after you sent it your application. But you could always send in a short note with an update on your award.</p>
<p>If you are talking about regular admission for colleges that make decisions after the final application deadlines, meaning they make them in Feb, March, or April, it generally does not matter whether you submit the application early or at the deadline. Obviously if you want to be considered for the school's early action or early decision program, you must apply early. One exception is that some of those RD colleges have merit scholarships and to be eligible for those you might have to apply early, such as by October or November (check particular colleges). </p>
<p>Nevertheless, it is highly advisable that you get the app done before your school's Christmas break. Moreover, if you need recommendations, you should be asking for them now. Students who wait until December 30 to do an app due Dec 31 often discover to their horror that the app requires something to be signed and sent by their high school by the due date and their high school is closed Dec 30 and 31, and colleges generally frown on the excuse that you forgot to think about that when you decided to delay..</p>