Does Harvard start reading applications by then? If I would change even a sentence is my essay if I held on to like October 20, would that be the better idea?
They do not care when you send it in as long as you make the deadline.
Unlike the RD cycle which is a full 3 months long, the SCEA cycle is just 6 weeks in length. October 15th is a courtesy deadline, meaning if your application is complete and ready – including all your essays – Admissions would appreciate if you submitted by then, as it will allow AO’s more time to slog through thousands of applications in an abbreviated admissions cycle. Student’s who submit before the courtesy deadline DO NOT have a better chance of being accepted than students who submit one-minute before the November 1st deadline. If you’re still mulling over your essay and contemplating a few changes, then you should take the extra 2 weeks and fix/correct/change whatever needs to be done to complete your essay to the best of your satisfaction.
Why do you think they wouldn’t have a better chance? Doesn’t it help your case if they have more time to thoughtfully read through your application?
Early is better but ONLY if what you submit early is what you would submit on the deadline
I posted this in another thread, but here it is again
Just because you submit your application earlier does not mean they spend MORE time with your file.
Even at Harvard level schools the adcoms do not sit around a table for an hour contemplating you application.
Even then, it makes no difference. The only advantage to the student is that it is off his/her plate.