My kid was only asked to come to the first day of senior year with two possible essays in draft form. Everything else, (including scrapping both essays) happened after he got back to school.
@sunnyschool: I think the goal at most BS is to have the non-essay/short answer portions of the common app done before going back to to school — as well a draft of the main essay.
“Can I ask - did your students have most of the applications done before returning to school for Senior year”
hahaha. =)) Heck, no! I would have fainted from shock if my two had accomplished that!
They didn’t even have their Common App essay done. Maybe my handle should be dosslackers.
@doschicos: My post #401 said as much, but I didn’t want to throw 7D2 under the bus! 
@sunnyschool - my S17 had a draft of his common app essay, and filled out the basic info on the common app so he could confirm the details with us before he returned to school after Labor Day last year. All but one school accepted the common app. He did a lot of work at school, and talked to his college counselor about his essays/short answers. We didn’t see much. He had 3 EA applications due Nov 1, and 2 more with scholarship deadlines by Dec 1. He finished the rest of his applications over winter break - submitting them closer to the deadlines than we would have liked.
Maybe I’m incorrect but as far as I know selective colleges don’t give brownie points for completing and submitting your application ahead of the deadline so I wouldn’t sweat it that much. Some of us work better under pressure with a looming deadline.
@doschicos: The only instance I can think of is for athletic recruits being offered a Likely Letter from an Ivy. Then, I think the app has to be by Oct 15…maybe even sooner?
True, @SevenDad, but I guess I’d consider that just a unique deadline like an EA/ED deadline is not that I’m as knowledgable on the athletic recruitment as you are.
I guess I want DS to accomplish that in August because the CC concerned me. She “discouraged” doing any apps early besides ED/EA - said it wouldn’t matter. But that is not what we heard at ALL colleges we visited where they all said “the earlier the better”. I don’t think he will apply EA anywhere (the binding one?), but will try to make some Early Decision deadlines (the non binding one?), and get the others sent by November so they are read right after EA/ED candidates (and early for Rolling, if any - seems not so many schools are rolling anymore?).
I guess CC is saying what @doschicos is saying…but still…I think it may depend…and he will apply into highly selective major (Computer Science). Also, I think some of her perspective comes from being in CA, where that may be true for UC schools.
@doschicos & sunny school: I think the “have 'em done by the time you come back to school” is mostly driven by the CCs…so they don’t have every kid waiting until the last minute.
Unless your kid is applying to rolling schools, there really is no incentive to be done before Nov. 1 or [insert deadline of choice here] other than taking the pressure off. I know that between a rigorous senior year class schedule, official visits (which meant missed days of school), and her usual training/competition schedule, my daughter’s first two months of school were extremely stressful — and she really only had one app/essay to worry about.
With the exception of recruited athletes, you are correct.
I will tell you that neither skibro nor I did either. 
If the student is taking challenging classes like AP Physics C and AP Calc BC, are they likely to want to wait until they get those midyear grades before giving an admissions decision, anyway (for top Engineering type programs)?
I think it really depends upon the college, but I also don’t think that it’s course specific.
Let me just say that the NEXT time around, for GMCkid 2, I will insist that the Common App essay is complete before he starts school Senior year. Best to have that done in order to concentrate on advanced classes, additional testing, supplemental essays, any remaining college visits, interviews, and last but not least: Senior leadership positions and responsibilities. Also, between EA, rolling, merit aid applications, athletic recruiting, honors colleges, and some state schools (UC system for example) there are quite a few application deadlines in October/November. It’s a lot to get done & done well, while at the same time enjoying Senior year. So many lessons learned from the first time around…
@SevenDad congrats
The early decision season is here. At least a couple of my children’s friends are finding out today, my own kids and probably much of the senior class next week. How are your kids holding up? One of mine is flipping out…
Although my kid didn’t apply anywhere ED, she is still a bit on edge. For the Cate (and Thacher as well, I’d assume) Seniors, it’s rough to be away from school and your friends during this key time.
Hoping for good news for all the CC BS 2018ers!
Please share your kid’s new, either way. We have a pretty supportive group of parents here…
@twinsmama my daughter is doing fine by keeping herself busy. It’s me that is eager for her to hear from her ED school. She just submitted some EA apps last Friday. I can’t wait for this first ED school to let her know either way. My younger daughter is also applying to boarding and Day schools. I’M IN ADMISSIONS HELL [-O< 8-}
Our son should hear back next week from his ED school. He also applied EA to 4 others. No news yet on any. It seems like business as usual with him- hasn’t seemed to be on his mind to much- of course he is pretty laid back that way. As he is my 3rd to apply to college, it hasn’t been on my mind too much either. Just another tuition bill to pay ultimately.