<p>Well...the early action deadline is in three days (Nov 1, but it takes 10 school days for the apps to process). I still have to write my essays. I'm not sure if I can get it done in time.</p>
<p>So what do you think? What's worse?</p>
<p>you can electronically submit your apps as late as 10/31 or 11/1 and if you're mailing them, often colleges just want it postmarked by 11/1</p>
<p>Where are you applying? I've heard numerous accounts of Halloween submissions that resulted in eventual acceptances, to various schools.</p>
<p>Well...they say our guidance counselors want our envelopes in before ten business days so they can process our transcript request sheets.</p>
<p>My school is the same way, however, that is just for your transcript forms. If you are submitting online, then you may submit upto the deadline. Your essay does not need to be included in the transcript unless you're doing a paper app and even then you could send it separately using an expedited service</p>
<p>You should be able to send in your personal parts, including the essay separately though. All the schools I've looked at allow you to do that, so they can send in the transcripts whenever they need to and you send in your things whenever you need to.</p>
<p>A poor essay is worse. Missing the EA deadline simply means that you can't get in EA but has no effect on your chances of admission RD. A poor essay reduces your chances of admission both EA and RD.</p>
<p>However, double-check with your guidance office. They may just need your stamped, addressed envelope for the transcript & school report, particularly if you are submitting your application electronically. In that case, you just have to get that information to guidance and you can work on your essay.</p>
<p>But do not wait until Halloween to submit. Every year there are threads on these boards about the Common App server being busy, power going down, etc. that makes it difficult if not impossible to get the applications in. Give yourself at least a day's leeway to deal with any such problems.</p>
<p>Isn't it obvious? If your essay is littered with garbage, you're not going to be accepted in any case.</p>