<p>For anyone who has been through the college application process, I'm applying to a number of early action colleges early and have not been able to find any legitimate answers to this question. My school has this guidance rule that we submit our requests for transcripts and such to be submitted at least 3 WEEKS before the actual deadline so they have time. However, this left us with an unprecedented small amount of time to write our essays. So, if my guidance office sent for example Ohio State my supplemental materials before I submitted my online application, would the colleges hold my supplemental materials. And could I technicaly submit my online application not until a few days or so before the actual deadline? Sorr yfor the long post</p>