Does submitting apps early have benefits?

Hey all! I'm just wondering if there are any potential benefits to submitting our college application ahead of the deadline. I know for Early Action and Early Decision there's a separate timeline, but does submitting before the regular deadline make any difference?

Yes, there can be some benefits to submitting your college application ahead of the regular deadline, even though they may not be as significant as the benefits you'd get from applying Early Decision or Early Action. Here are a few potential advantages:

1. Reduced stress: Submitting your application early can help reduce stress levels as you won't be scrambling to finish everything right before the deadline. This allows you to focus on other aspects of your senior year, like maintaining your grades, participating in extracurricular activities, or applying for scholarships.

2. Time for error correction: If you submit your application earlier, you might have a better chance to catch any errors or issues with your application before the deadline. You might be able to fix any issues or reach out to the admissions office for assistance if you run into problems beforehand.

3. Increased demonstrated interest: Some colleges do track demonstrated interest, which refers to the amount of interest an applicant shows in a particular college. Submitting your application early can be a sign of your genuine interest in the school. Although demonstrated interest might not be a major factor in the admissions process, it can give you a slight edge in competitive situations.

4. Earlier processing time: Although colleges won't officially review your application until after the deadline, submitting it early ensures that your application is in the system and ready to be reviewed as soon as possible. This can be beneficial in terms of financial aid, housing, or other aspects of the college experience that may be granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

However, it's important not to rush the application process just to submit it early. You should still take the time to review and polish your application, ensuring it's the best representation of you. If you're confident that your application is complete, well-crafted, and accurately portrays your academic and personal achievements, then submitting it early can provide some benefits.