Does Common App allow submission post deadline in local time? Anybody who did that ? Need info ASAP

So my deadline for Stanford is 11:59 PM local time - 12 hours before 11:59 PM ET. (15 hours before Stanford’s time zone - PST)

This CA page says my deadline should be latest one - hence 15 hours after 11:59 PM local time.
https://appsupport.commonapp.org/ics/support/KBAnswer.asp?questionID=35&hitOffset=&docID=1479

Since the time stamp is in EST even if I submit say 5 hours after 11:59 PM local time, it’s still on January 2 for both Common App and Stanford. That’s what I will have to do due to unexpected issues.

So basically does Common App prohibit submission post deadline (in local time)?

you need to submit it by the time specified on your common app. if it says by 11:59 p.m., submit it by 11:59 p.m. do not try to submit it late. adcoms aren’t that foolish, lol.

The common app does not state any time. It simply gives me a date - January 2. When I looked around in forums and Common App Support, I found the above link - which clearly states the deadline is the latest one (11:59 PM but Stanford’s time since it is later than my time zone’s time.)

Even if I submit it later than midnight in my time (but before Stanford deadline) I am sure Stanford would understand because it would be hours before their deadline and they will still receive applications from US citizens.

Do you know if I Common App allows submission post midnight local time ?

Well, normally a “deadline”is the last possible moment to submit something… otherwise they would label it a “suggestion.”

I certainly wouldn’t take a chance on not getting my materials in on time for something as important as a college application.

That said, you have nothing to lose. If they don’t accept it, they don’t accept it.

Why chance it? Just hit submit before 11:59 in your time zone.

From the Common App site: “To meet an application deadline, you must submit your application materials by 11:59 pm on the deadline date posted on your Dashboard. The end of the deadline date is in your local time zone, not the college’s time zone. Keep in mind, all timestamps are recorded in EST (US Eastern Standard Time).
It is always better to submit well before 11:59 pm to avoid last minute issues with your computer or internet access that might cause you to miss the deadline!”

If you were “already sure that Stanford would understand”-- then what’s your question?

It is YOUR timezone that counts, not Stanford’s.

And you’re far more confident that “Deadlines” are flexible than I am. In my world, a deadline is a deadline. By my reckoning, you missed the deadline by about half a day.

Common App also says agrees with my point here:
https://appsupport.commonapp.org/ics/support/KBAnswer.asp?questionID=35&hitOffset=&docID=1479

I am not suggesting that deadlines are flexible. Just that there is not one correct deadline mentioned anywhere.
Stanford says it’s 11:59 PM Jan 2
Common App Colleges page says it’s 11:59 PM Jan 2
^ Both don’t have any time zone

Then on 2 different common app support pages 2 different things are written:
One says 11:59 PM my time zone
One says 11:59 PM my time zone / school time zone (whichever is later)
^ I read this link and planned my submission accordingly. All I am worried about is if Common App allows submission post 11:59 PM my time. There are many threads where people ask ‘oh I submitted my application 5 mins late, will I be accepted ?’ - there were able to submit the application ?

@bjkmom
I am asking is it ‘possible’ to submit it?
Will common app allow me or say ‘oh it’s post deadline, you cannot submit it’
Whether or not to accept it is the school’s decision. Can common app restrict me from sending ?

@mardong I have issues
@bjkmom Answered some things above ^

Doesn’t really matter, does it? you have either missed the deadline or you haven’t.

If you have missed it, they will either be understanding or they won’t, and there is nothing you can do to change that. It is human to hope that they will be, but be aware that they have thousands of students submitting internationally, from pretty much every time zone there is, so it is not just for one person that they would have to be understanding.

If you haven’t missed it, it is silly to waste time arguing and researching- just get the app in.

…and have a Plan B, in case the deadline they meant was the early one. My guess is that Stanford can easily put together a strong freshman class from the apps that are already in. They may not feel the need for flexibility.

Have you tried already?

@bjkmom Can’t try it yet since I haven’t hit the deadline.

What I am thinking is finishing Stanford first and sending the common app for other colleges and send the supplements after.

Just not sure how that will work out.

@collegemom3717 Can’t get it in since I am a bloody procrastinator.

Then put the whole thing behind you. It it’s not getting in, there’s no point pursuing the application.

You can submit your app today. Just play it safe and do it the earlier of: 11:59 pm in your time zone, or 11:59 pm in Stanford’s time zone.

@bjkmom That’s what I was thinking, but then having completed so much I don’t wanna leave it.

Then submit it. What do you have to lose? As long as not all your eggs are in this particular basket, then go for it.

For my son’s apps, nearly all the writing supplements had to be included in the CA. For the few that were sent separately, one went thru CA immediately after regular CA submission and one went thru the school’s portal two days later (when he received the portal email). He submitted one on Dec 28 and still hasn’t received the email to submit the supplements. I’m assuming this won’t hurt him but I suppose it could. You should check the admissions page and CA directions for the specific schools in question.