@itsjustmyfuture, They are! I got an email from one AO today, asking for a writing sample (which was not part of the SAO).
et: clarify this was an AO from a BS in MA, where we’re buried under 2 feet of snow, and counting
Oh my gosh! They’re reading apps ALREADY??? I thought they waited until February to do that… 
I don’t think they’re actually reading them yet. I think they’re still just making sure they have all the pieces they need for each candidate.
Okay, good. This is a little too early for me to accept that the AOs are scrutinizing my applications.
No Snow day at my D’s school (except the day students), but we are getting hammered here at home.
…but we’re used to it
I think my son has enjoyed his snow day. No word on whether there is school there tomorrow. They received around 30 inches. My kiddos at home also have the day off tomorrow.
I was actually a big annoyed by DS at BS this evening. I texted him yesterday when I heard he had the day off. I was in a haze of shoveling out 2-3 feet of blowing snow so I didn’t notice that he hadn’t responded. I realized this evening that there had been word. Anyway, around seven I received a sheepish email apologizing if I had texted him and he hadn’t responded. He went sledding earlier and dropped his cell phone somewhere on one of the hills. It is now buried in two and a half feet of snow. This coming from a kid who told me he didn’t need boots at school. I assume he was sledding in his Nikes.
Lawrenceville canceled class today thinking that there would be a couple feet of snow, but it ended up being like half a foot. 
DD’s MA school decided to have all the kids basically shelter in place - classes cancelled today and meals are being brought into the dorms. They have generators if they lose power. We received an email stating that students would be keeping up with homework, and they promised to let them out to play soon! I know our daughter was already organizing some massive dorm games so I am sure there is still SOME fun happening <:-P
momonymous, I think some schools might start reading the files once your application is complete while others wait until Feb. 1st. Great sign that they want more information from you!
I got this message from Andover a few days ago…
As always, if you have any questions about these items, please feel
free to call our office at 978-749-4050 or reply to this email and
your message will go directly to your personal application advisor.
Once your application is complete, we will submit it to the admission
committee for review.