FALL 2017 Common Application Questions

Hi all! Fairly new around here, and I am quite happy with the site already! I have a few questions regarding the Common Application that I hope some of you “Admission Experts” would be able to answer for me. This is for students applying in the Fall Term of 2017.
a.) Is it possible to begin filling out the Common Application now, or must we wait 'til August 1st?
b.) Building off of that, why is it that some colleges are limited to Fall 2016 / Winter 2016 when viewing their question regarding when we are applying?
c.) If you wish to finish an application to a regular decision school in August, can you submit it in the summer, or must you wait for the Early Decision round to be over?

Thank you so much for the help! I am an amateur when it comes to these things!

Hi…I am new to this so not an expert, but from my research, this is what I found.

A) As far as starting the app now…there are some places on common app site that says it will switch over if you start now and other places says it will not. One place says it will switch over IF your status is listed as “other” rather than “first year”. My D emailed common app about it. Here is her question…

"I started my common app this summer even though I am a rising senior. (Graduating 2017. College Fall 2017) I read that you have rollover so I thought that it would roll over on August 1st.

When I set up my account a few weeks ago, I did it as a “First Year” student. Now I am reading that I should have set up the account as an “Other Student” in order for the roll over to occur.

Will my account roll over on August 1, 2016 if I am currently listed as a “fist year” student?
IF NOT, is there a way to change my current status from First Year to Other so that the roll over can happen."

Their response:

“Thank you for your questions. Only your personal information will carry over no matter what answer you choose for the question you are referencing. All school specific information will be deleted in late July 2016. Please save all your information on your personal device so you will not loose it.”

B) The reason the questions are for 2016 year is because that is what the application is currently set up to accept. Yes…it does seem late to me but apparently it’s just how it goes with common app. They don’t switch over until August 1st.

C) You can submit the application when it is complete (after august 1st of course) regardless of if its ed or rd because each school will ask you in their questions if you want to be considered for ed or rd admission. You do not have to wait for any “rounds” of applications to be over.

Hope that helps. good luck

Thank you!