Can applying early ever hurt you?

<p>Will a school, whether it is early action or rolling admission, ever give you a deadline to respond to the acceptance before you hear back from other colleges? I would like to finish some applications and submit in late August/early September to a couple early action and a rolling admission school.
Thanks! </p>

<p>That shouldn’t be a problem. If they do give you an early deadline ask for an extension so you can compare offers. I haven’t heard of a school saying no for EA or rolling admissions. ED is the only option with an early decision requirement.</p>

<p>If your apps are shoddy and rushed, that can hurt you.</p>

<p>If you’d like to send in a transcript with your 7th semester (1st semester Sr year) to boost your GPA or show rigor in your transcript, that’s a reason to wait as well.</p>

<p>In general, schools that have EA or rolling do not have deadlines that limit you. In reality, they want to spread out their workload, give them extra time to woo those whom they’ve admitted, and offer prepared students an option to get it out of the way. </p>

<p>Often, colleges hold out better scholarship offers for those who apply by certain deadlines, too.</p>