<p>When should be the earliest I submit a Regular Decision college application? I know most schools have the 1/1 deadline, but when should be the date that I submit my app? 12/15?
And what deadline should I tell my teacher recommenders to mail their letters by? 12/15? Thanks!</p>
<p>bumppppppppppppp</p>
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<li><p>I don’t think it really matters whether you submit it right on the deadline or many weeks before. Everyone receives their admissions decision at roughly the same time, so you are in one big pool, same as them. I could be wrong, this is just my understanding of the process, though. Only colleges with rolling admissions put applications in groups based on date submitted.</p></li>
<li><p>The colleges you are applying to should either say a) When the teacher recs need to be postmarked by or b) the recs need to be received by the college before the application deadline. Depending on your geographic location in relation to the college, give your teachers a set deadline that accounts for “x” days of mail time. Also, politely encourage them to finish it early, just to be safe.</p></li>
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<p>Again, nothing I’ve stated is pure fact, only my observation and experience through this college process. Posters below me will hopefully correct and clarify something I’ve said as it pertains to other colleges.</p>
<p>You can pretty much send them any time. I don’t think they’ll be read until they get all the information though.</p>
<p>Relax. the 12/31 or 1/1 deadline is what it is: a deadline. If your stuff is complete send it in. No one gets unfavorably reviewed because it was sent on 12/30 versus 10/20. (my experience says that even past the deadline, the colleges aren’t too bummed out with late apps)</p>
<p>Don’t ask your teachers to get it in by 12/15. If you’ve already given them the forms and envelopes, just follow up in mid December or so. There’s no need to panic. Teacher recs usually are coming in up to March. Got it? Your app isn’t headed to the furnace or shredder otherwise. If by the college’s later reading period, some item is still absent, they’ll contact the high school. There’s no conspiracy to weed out applicants who are missing an item or two.</p>
<p>Go breathe. And best of luck to you.</p>
<p>To some schools, there is an advantage: college interviews. (Duke, G’town, etc.) Some schools won’t line up an interview until you submit your application. Most RD candidates miss out on this opportunity because there apps are too late. But since you got them in, take advantage and set up appts for an interview today!</p>