Is there a benefit to applying early under the regular decision program of a top college?

Applying to College
1

Hey guys,

Do you think there is a benefit to submitting your application early under the regular decision deadline?

Do colleges even look at regular decision apps during this period(November - December) or do they just read the early decision/action apps?

I am talking about top colleges including the Ivy league and others like Duke, JHU, and Northwestern.

Thanks for your suggestions.

2

Unless a college practices rolling admissions there is no benefit to getting the application in early.

3

I think so, particularly for top schools that claim to value an interview. But these tippy top schools are so competitive and they have all the advantages - they know they need a Sousaphone player, or a yearbook editor, or greater geographic representation, etc. So if you get in early enough to check off multiple boxes, it only follows that you’re more likely to be more seriously considered. I told my pups it can’t hurt, and they did well enough despite being WASPy New Englanders.