<p>I have been told many times that submitting an application very early gives the applicant an edge over other applicants that submit later. For example, would applying in September give an applicant better chances of being admitted than an applicant that applies in October with similar credentials? I have heard that colleges do not actually pool up applications and review them at the same time, whether it be Early Decision or Regular Decision.</p>
<p>No! That’s crazy talk, why would there even be different notification periods then?
No matter when you apply, you will have almost the exact same chance of getting in.
(Although that is NOT true at top 25 schools. The ED/RD does make a difference there.)</p>
<p>Some schools have rolling admissions where it’s advantageous to apply earlier if possible. For colleges that have firm dates (either Early or Reg decision), your rumor is just garbage. They spend hundreds of thousands of dollars to attract the best applicant pool. Why should they give a flip when your doggone application is scanned and shredded and electronically filed in order to be read? Plus, your submission date is irrespective of when your school reports, transcripts and rec letters come in. Until they do, your file isn’t complete. </p>
<p>One might submit in late Sept but the school gets the docs in by Feb 15th. That student’s file gets read in late Feb. Another gets hers in on Dec 31st, 11:50PM. Her school sends her package in immediately. She gets read in mid January.</p>