what does it mean to "mail by" a certain deadline?

does “mail by” equal “postmark” or “receive by”? i’m guessing it’s the former, but i just want to double check so my applications won’t go in 4 days late and then get tossed in the trash can. thanks!!!

<p>mail by means it must be mailed by a certain date, if it says mail by 6/7/04 then you must mail it by or before 6/7/04</p>

<p>okay, well i get that part, but does "mail" mean that the application is FINISHED mailing, as in it is in the hands of the admissions officer/secretary? or does that mean i physically "mail" is as in put it in the mailbox or get it postmarked? thanks!</p>

<p>it means post-marked</p>

<p>Safest is to get it postmarked if it is last day so you can prove you mailed it by that date. Mail by means to put it into the mail by that date. When a college means it wants receipt by a date it will not use "mail by" but instead will say that you need to assure that they "receive" everything by the date.</p>

<p>how lenient are colleges with "received by" dates? will they absolutely not look at if it it's a day or two late?</p>

<p>thanks for answering my question! :)</p>