<p>So me and my mother got into a fight the other night. She was yelling at me telling me that I had to finish my applications. I was like sure whatever. But then she said that people who hand in their applications sooner than others (both still before the deadline) have a better chance of admission. I told her that was not true. But then she insisted that I was immature and that she lived in the "Real World" and that just cuz they say they dont care when you send in the application (as long as its before the deadline and not rolling), doesnt mean its true. So is my mother right? assuming applications had the same quality.</p>
<p>If it's not rolling, you should be fine. For the big state U's, the sooner the better - especially for scoring decent housing. Housing is often scarce at the big state U's, and the early bird gets the better concrete cubical.</p>
<p>Although it's obviously best to get your applications finished with time to spare for last minute emergencies and changes of mind, there is no reason to send an application earlier or later before the deadline for a non-rolling school. Colleges are dealing with EA/ED decisions, sending those students decisions and other mailings, and preparing for RD. They're not sitting around being bored and giving the earliest applications they get an extra-good read. Applications are generally filed by secretaries or students working for Admissions. Different schools evaluate applications in different orders, but normally the applications from each region will be evaluated first by a counselor assigned to that region. That person may or may not read the applications by the order they came in (he/she could also split them into more specific regions, read by school, alphabetical order, or randomly). Remember, many students wait until later to send applications because they wait to get their EA/ED decision back first. There are so many students who send their applications at the last minute, and I don't think the admissions people spend their time checking out the postage dates on applications.</p>
<p>You really don't want to be forced to finish your applications the night before the deadline with a raging stomach virus! Get them done, enjoy your winter break. Think of the luxury of having your parents off your back!</p>
<p>by a procrastinating parent with a stomach virus... ;)</p>
<p>In theory, earlier is better than later, for all the reasons mentioned. My kids generally managed to procrastinate until the very end, and it didn't seem to hurt them in any way as far as admissions go.... so I think this is just one more instance where we tend to obsess too much over minor details, like stressing over an essay that is 25 words too long... or 10 words too short... </p>
<p>They pretty much look at the whole package and they don't necessarily read apps in the order received. Heck, for all I know they read them in alphabetical order and my kids got into most of their schools because their last name begins with the letter "B". (which would explain why it might be harder to get admitted if your last name is Wong or Yee). OK -- I just made that up, don't take it seriously, folks. :p </p>
<p>The point is, your mom is right that you should get the apps out as soon as possible, wrong to get all worked up over it. I just insisted that my d. get her UC apps in by the Nov. 30 deadline, and after that I figured that if she wanted to mess up the rest, that was her problem, not mine. Wouldn't have bothered me any to have my daughter attending school in-state, close to home.</p>
<p>I def. understand that its better to get apps out sooner then later and thank you guys for your concern over my apps. Forget about the argument. But given 2 candidates everything else equal except when they handed in their application who is more likely to get in at a Regular Decision school. Its not like on chances threads on CC you will see things like "sending app December 17th."</p>
<p>At the College Board Conference last month, I attended a presentation by several admissions officers. They indicated that they do sometimes notice when an application is handed in at the last minute, and one alluded to a "prestigious northeastern university" that stamps "LME" for "Last Minute Effort" on applications that come in on deadline day. They said submitting your application at the last minute won't get you rejected, but it does sometimes send a subtle message to them about how well-organized you are, how serious you are about applying to the college, and perhaps how much time you spent on the application. Note: Before anyone rips me to shreds, I am not saying this is true at every college, but I am reporting what several admissions officers said to college counselors at a major public conference.</p>
<p>Now, if you honestly can't get an application in before the deadline, I wouldn't worry too much. And, I wouldn't rush to send in an application before it is truly ready just to get it in early. But if you can finish and submit early, and can do a good job in the process, why delay until the last minute? Again, submitting on deadline day won't, in and of itself, get you rejected, and submitting early won't, in and of itself, get you in, but why drag out the process any longer than absolutely necessary? You'll feel a lot less stressed when the applications are all sent. </p>
<p>Heck, in the time you've spent posting this question, and reading the replies, you could have been finishing and sending an application. :)</p>
<p>Carolyn,
Thanks for the insight. I will have to remember that when we start the application process next year! It's also a nice way to deflect the "I want you to get this done NOW" dynamic to "What kind of time management skills and commitment to the school are you demonstrating?"</p>
<p>S. spent a lot of time on his ED application, and now seems to have nothing left for his RD school efforts. Still probably has a half dozen essays to write or re-work. Maddening. If he gets in his ED school, it will be moot, but the guidance office (understandably) wants them in hand ASAP so they're not flooded the last days before winter break. Also, even though S. submitted his online ED application 4-5 days before deadline, due to school mailing, the postal service, etc. the hard/paper part of his application arrived at the college 3 days past the ED deadline. They let it slide because it was postmarked on time, but it's a situation to avoid if you can--</p>
<p>lspf72, "ED Slump" is very common. It is (understandably) hard for some kids to get motivated about doing other applications because in the back of their mind they are totally committed to the ED school. I actually tell kids to do at least ONE application BEFORE their ED application if at all possible. Not only does it help sidestep "ED Slump" it also gives them a chance to finetune their essays and application before they apply to the ED school. On the other hand, most kids, when the ED news is not as hoped for, get motivated pretty quick to get the rest of their applications done. Doesn't make for a merry Christmas, but almost always, it gets done. Hang in there!</p>
<p>It's also a nice way to deflect the "I want you to get this done NOW" dynamic to "What kind of time management skills and commitment to the school are you demonstrating?">></p>
<p>CountingDown, this is a very important point for parents to remember in general. Sometimes we have to be very careful about how we phrase things when we're pushing...uhm, encouraging our kids to get things done.</p>
<p>If she was saying this, in say, beginning of Nov, sure you'd be right...but honestly, getting it in earlier does help a bit because in a week you can call and make sure everything is in, and you still have time to send stuff in if it isnt complete...
on another note, they usually split applications randomly into piles, say 20-75, then start handing those piles to the first-readers...its completly random, and that way there cant be an bias</p>
<p>Thanks, Carolyn. Just in the last few weeks, with a bit more research, he's become more excited about his so-called safety schools, which is a relief -- just in case. Now if he can just get the darn essays done...</p>