Which is better, first or second application deadline?

Applying to College
1

<p>I'm applying to UW Madison, and the first deadline is November 3rd. My two letters of recommendation are still in progress, I have to actually write my essays, and I still have transcript issues. My grades at this specific point in time are a bit rough, and I have 8 billion things going on. </p>

<p>Does it look better to apply to the first of the school's two application deadlines? Or does it matter? As in, if I just waited until the second deadline a few months from now and took that time to work on better essays, etc. would that harm my application at all? Or would the opportunity to boost my grades be better for me? </p>

<p>Would my application stand out less if they get more applications at the later date? I'm assuming they get fewer apps at the early deadline, so I'm worried if I go with the later one, it'll be harder to stand out. </p>

2

<p>What’s best is: when is your BEST application ready? Choose that one and then submit. Schools create artificial milestones often to just spread out their own workload. However, for schools with rolling admissions, you’re better to be earlier than later. I don’t know if UWMadison operates liket that</p>

3

<p>I feel like a state school like Madison is generally easier to get into the earlier you send your application. Space tightens up near the end, and it has been my impression that if your app is later, your chances are lower. They aren’t like schools that wait for all apps to come in, then decide. So you have a tough choice. If you think your grades will be better this semester and you can’t get your app ready for Nov 3, then I would say wait in your case.</p>