<p>I just came across the terrible realization that I don't know what "by May 1st" means:</p>
<p>Should I respond tonight, midnight before May 1st
-or-
Tomorrow night, before May 1st is over?</p>
<p>Thanks a million to anyone who responds to this!</p>
<p>Postmark by means "postmark on...." </p>
<p>If it's not a postmark deadline, then you're almost quite dead.</p>
<p>I'm pretty sure that you have to respond before May 1st is over. But if you want to be sure, go ahead and respond today.</p>
<p>If the response form doesn't say "post mark by May 1st", but "reply back/fill this out by May 1st" make sure to call the school and tell them that you plan to commit to their school. Or try and fax your enrollment for to admissions. They'll get the point.</p>
<p>It's not wise to play "last-minute-submission" on this matter, because the last thing anybody wants is for a university to rescind their decision due to late SIR reply (I know some colleges that do this, even one day late).</p>
<p>If you made up your mind at this point, send it in ASAP. I personally don't think that one extra day would be very helpful anyway. Better be safe than sorry.</p>