<p>so on the website it says that the preferred filing date for RD applications is December 15th. Does this mean that turning in an application after that but before their jan 7th deadline will hurt your chances at getting in? or is this something really insignificant?</p>
<p>It is for the preliminary application. You have to file that one before you submit the common application, or that's how it was last year. Your file must be complete by the latter date.</p>
<p>so the prelim app has to be in by the 15th or you cant apply?</p>
<p>I think you can, they just prefer to know approximately how many apps they are going to have to download and that takes some time, but CALL admissions to be safe. The preliminary app takes about 30 seconds to do and you can submit your essay with your other stuff, but reread the website to make sure. I vaguely remember my son explaining it to me and I don't want to steer you in the wrong direction.</p>