<p>I have seen on different posts to apply early to have a better shot at admittance. What is considered early? Immediately back to school in the fall or a month or two in? Thanks.</p>
<p>As long as it’s before the November 1st deadline, isn’t it all the same? I mean everyone finds out on the same day assuming they applied before the priority admissions deadline.</p>
<p>Aren’t the operative terms “pooled” vs. “rolling” admissions? Pooled meaning that all applicants are pooled before any are selected, rolling meaning that decisions are made as the applications come in. If UIUC is pooled, it won’t matter. Check their website.</p>
<p>I don’t think they wait until everyone’s applied to start making decisions. That’s dumb. It’s my understanding that decisions are made right away on a rolling basis, but everyone, even the first person to get accepted, has to wait until that one day to find out.</p>
<p>When is the first day they take them, anyways?</p>
<p>UIUC has a “priority date” usually in November (it has varied in last few years so it could be anywhere from Nov 1 to Nov 15 next year). All those who apply by then (and get everything needed in including transcripts, test scores) will be considered first for admission over those who apply thereafter. Those who apply by priority date will be informed on a chosen day in Mid-December that they are either admitted, rejected, or deferred until after applications are in. All those who apply after the priority date and all those deferred in mid-December will be notified of final decision on a selected date in February usually near mid-Feb</p>
<p>Applying by priority date gives you “some” advantage over those who apply later. That is more so true for LAS college than it is for business or engineering. In fact business usually defers majority of the early applicants for final decision in February (as some have quipped business makes only two decisions in December, rejected or deffered). Engineering also defers a significant percentage. Deferral in December does not mean death to the application and only means they just won’t decide until all apps are in.</p>
<p>There is no increased advantage to applying earlier than the priority date but procrastination can be deadly because applicants often wait until last second and then overlook that they have to get everything into UIUC’s hands on time including transcripts and test scores.</p>
<p>You can begin applying when they come out with the new application usually sometime near mid-September.</p>
<p>Why wait with the application? Spend time on it and make it the best you can. But definitely try to make the Priority filing period. (: Even if you may only receive a smaller advantage - it’s still an advantage.</p>