<p>Some univs recommend prior to Dec 1 (too late) when the deadlin is January 1! Therefore, will it be marked against you if you submit your app later than the recommended date?</p>
<p>No, unless it's rolling admission.</p>
<p>I actually recently got an email from Rice, saying that they're going to finish reviewing ED applications this week, and start on regular applications next. Their deadline isn't until January 2, however. They don't even have a "recommended" date. And they're already starting on the regular applications now. Obviously it would make more sense to apply earlier than later, in this case. And in my opinion, in most cases.</p>
<p>Why?</p>
<p>Well, having read The Gatekeepers by Jacques Steinbeck (which gave a glimpse into how application reading at Wesleyan University worked), admissions readers are swamped with applications. Two readers read each application, and discussion never lasts for more than 2 minutes. </p>
<p>As time goes on, and they read more and more applications, they get tired. And cranky. And the number of people they can accept gets smaller and smaller, as they take more and more people.</p>
<p>So in the case of Rice, I would say that if they read your application now, you have a higher chance of getting in.</p>
<p>Say, for example, you're a borderline candidate. Let's say you're also one of the first applicants to apply. The worst they'll probably do to you is say, hey, let's keep this person on the side until we see the other applications. So you'll stay in consideration. They might even just decide to accept you, figuring that they have plenty of spots left in their class.</p>
<p>On the other hand, let's say you're on the bottom of the pile. When they finally get to you, the class is almost filled. They'll probably throw you away without further consideration. And why shouldn't they? They already have plenty of candidates they like.</p>
<p>That's just my opinion, though. Who really knows how things work? Other than admissions officers, of course.</p>
<p>Quick Question:
Do you need to submit any of the application (common app or common app supplement) BEFORE sending in official transcripts and recommendation letters?</p>
<p>I've sent transcripts and recommendation letters but I haven't submitted the common app. Will the college just make a file for me. I ask because I sent UT my transcript about 2 months ago and the status check still says that they have no app. materials from me.</p>
<p>they won't consider your app./update it's status till you submit the common app portion of it (and supplement, if it's an all-in-one school). If you send stuff in before regular apps are sent in, they do save all of it and will open a file for you (they wait until then, because some students send transcripts/test scores to instistutions that they don't end up applying to). After you submit your regular app, just make sure to check then to see if your information has been received.</p>