Submitting regular decision early?

Is it possible to submit a regular decision application early, and if so, does it give you any kind of advantage? I'm trying to figure out the best timeline for my applications.

Absolutely! You can submit your regular decision application before the official deadline. However, the main thing to consider is that unlike Early Action (EA) and Early Decision (ED) applications that often come with an admissions advantage, submitting a regular decision application early does not usually offer any benefit in terms of acceptance odds.

Why? Because most schools review their regular decision applications in the order received, but rather as a whole pool. Applications are typically read in multiple rounds and discussed in committee, sometimes several times based on when they were completed, not necessarily when they were submitted. This process ensures a fair review of all applications.

Nonetheless, submitting your application early might provide you with some personal benefits:

1. Peace of Mind: You can focus on other things like school work, scholarships, or enjoyable activities knowing that your applications are complete and in the hands of admissions officers.

2. Error Correction: If there's an error or a technical glitch in your application, you'll have time to fix it.

3. Financial Aid & Scholarships: Some schools give out financial aid and specific scholarships on a first-come, first-serve basis, so applying earlier could potentially help in that area.

Remember, while it may be beneficial in those respects to submit your application early, it's more important to ensure that your application is of the highest quality possible. Make sure you have taken the time to revise your essays thoroughly, present your extracurricular activities effectively, and ensured everything is in order before you submit!