<p>Is there less of a chance to get into a competitive university if you turn your applications in really close to the deadline (I.E. Applications are due January 15 and you turn them in December 15)?</p>
<p>I really hope not! </p>
<p>(and by competitive I mean American University, Boston University, etc. etc.)</p>
<p>Is that a typo or do you consider Dec 15 close to a January 15 deadline?</p>
<p>Well.. I mean..
I guess I'm just around a lot of people who turn their applications in by October!</p>
<p>bump...
better chance to apply earlier than just at deadline?</p>
<p>Only if the college uses a "rolling admissions" system...</p>
<p>Ah, I suspected that. </p>
<p>So colleges not using rolling admission.. they consider all applications equally, since they don't send out acceptances until April? Is that right?</p>
<p>right but naturally the first app a officer picks up is not going to be read the same as the last app he/she will read. understand?</p>
<p>yeah but they don't sort them by the order that they receive them.</p>
<p>do they START reading AFTER due date?
If so, it wouldn't make any difference when the apps get there.
But...... say if adcoms read it AS the apps come in, to save time or whatever, then I'd say the first applications would definitely get different treatments whether they seem more "fresh" or "particularly mind-sticking." I mean, seriously, once the admisison officers have gotten through like 2000 applications, they're gonna be like ughhhh ughhhh they all sound the same to me!!</p>
<p>i think i remember reading that most adcoms are out visiting college fairs and such before the deadline.</p>
<p>Very interesting question. I was always under the impression that it didn't matter whether the application was submitted in september or the night before the deadline and that they'd all be given equal weight anyway, but recently my counselor urged me to submit my applications immediately because most universities begin to review applications before the deadline so that they're not * as * swamped come january. Again, I initially disagreed, but her point makes a lot of sense. </p>
<p>By the way, she was talking about colleges with specific deadlines, not with rolling admission policies.</p>
<p>Unless it is rolling admissions where there is indeed first come first served, it does not matter when you send the application as long as you send it in on time. By the time the applications are printed, sorted and sent to their regional reps, there is really no telling whose app was sent first. In the end each application will be read by at least 2 representatives. Some will be auto admit, some will be auto deny but the many will go before the admissions committee for discussion.</p>
<p>link to a look at the amherst admissions process:</p>
<p>Online</a> NewsHour: A Look at Amherst College's Admissions Process -- June 22, 2004</p>
<p>From Harvard:</p>
<p>December 1</p>
<p>We will begin our careful evaluation process on this date, reading applications in the order in which they are completed.</p>
<p>Our alumni/ae interviewers will appreciate your sending at least the Common Application/Universal Application by this date to allow them to begin the interviewing process in areas where this is possible.</p>
<p>We recognize that you and your secondary school teachers and counselors may have many commitments that may preclude December 1 submission of your admission materials. If so, please be assured that you will not be penalized in any way.</p>
<p>January 1</p>
<p>Final Deadline (postmark). Final postmark deadline for Common Application/Universal Application, Harvard Application Supplement, Personal Statement, School Report, and Teacher Evaluations.</p>
<p>When applications are completed includes a number of factors that the student has no control over as far as timing is concerned: SAT scores, recommendations,alumni reports, transcripts, midyear reports, etc. Remember that last week(s) before applications are due, teaching staff, GC and school administrators are out of school due to the winter break (the college itself is taking time off for winter break).</p>
<p>While Harvard is stating that they want all parts of the application by Jan 1 at many schools the 7th semester is not completed by this date meaning that the application will have to be amended once the 7th semester grades are updated on the transcritpt.</p>