I am glad you asked this because I assumed the application must be submitted by the deadline but turning in the app triggers the request for letters of rec and transcripts (at least using the common app) so if the deadline for EA is 11/1, students should be submitting by 10/15 to allow time for those documents to be requested and submitted. Can anyone clarify if this is correct? Maybe it varies with each school. My son is aiming to have his common application done and turned in by 10/10 (about 12-14 schools total) no matter the deadlines (wants to be done and enjoy his senior year!) so he is allowing some breathing room. He is done with his essay draft but his ELA teacher said she would look it over with him this week. He also has to answer some of the short answers on the common app.