<p>I waited until the absolute last minute to submit my applications to every school that wasn’t a true safety, because I was waiting for my fall semester grades to come in. They raised my cumulative GPA from a 2.8 to a 3.7. (I retook some classes and the grades replaced.) Those grades posted like the day before the deadline for some of my schools. I never would have gotten in anywhere I was applying if I didn’t wait.</p>
<p>I started all the applications months before the deadline and had all my essays and everything done in advance, I just didn’t submit anything until the very last day I could do so. It was hair raising to say the least.</p>
<p>A deadline is a deadline- absolutely no reason to favor/penalize those who meet it by any margin. Some gifted kids are perfectionists and procrastinate because of fear of not doing the best. As long as the deadline is met all applications should receive the same consideration. Drives parents crazy but as long as it is in in time it works. </p>
<p>Ambivalence may also play a roll. Several years ago a certain kid got his application in to Stanford by the midnight deadline- California time. Aargh. He preferred other schools.</p>
<p>I think for many students, they are conflicted about college–excited but scared and sometimes ambivalent about which Us they really want to attend. They also may underestimate how long it takes to get everything assembled and submitted, and then SR year and its demands get in the way.</p>
<p>Sometimes the students forget to consider the time zone of the U they are applying to and may even MISS the deadline because they submit it on time in THEIR time zone but not the school’s (which may be 2-6 hours earlier). That can be very stressful (thankfully for us, D only applied to ONE U).</p>
<p>There are a LOT of procrastinators among us–last-minute Christmas shopping anyone? Last minute party planning? Job applications?</p>
<p>I think that those may be a better comparison than taxes. Taxes involve A LOT of moving parts, some of which we don’t have much (or any) control over, including statements from financial institutions, bookkeepers, CPAs, and others. This can make extensions necessary. Also, taxes may involve paying money, that folks may not wish to part with until the last moment. :p</p>
<p>For the same reason half the kids on my rec soccer team used to show up three minutes before kickoff (or later). Unfortunately, most admissions offices won’t let you start the game playing nine against eleven.</p>
<p>A deadline is a deadline- absolutely no reason to favor/penalize those who meet it by any margin.</p>
<p>Aren’t you a physician? If so, then you know it doesn’t work that way for med school apps. Early applicants are highly favored. Late applicants who still meet the deadline by WEEKS are often shut out.</p>
<p>“as someone who always waits until the last minute to do things, it has always been a conscious choice. I work much better and produce better quality work when I am under significant pressure. When i have months on end to do something the quality just isn’t there for me…not sure why but it works for me.”</p>
<p>OriginalCCer2Dad, you may be interested in the book, “Wait: The Art and Science of Delay” by Prof. Frank Partnoy; from one review:</p>
<p>My son was deferred from ED1 last year so while he didn’t wait until the last minute, he did have to regroup somewhat with other applications. My older son did wait until close to the last minute but that’s just him.</p>