Most colleges will advise prospective students to apply for admissions as early as possible, but they’ll continue to process applications until a later deadline date – or possibly right up until the class fills up and runs out of space. So what exactly does a student gain from meeting priority deadline application dates?
Priority Admissions Selection
Applying early for college means you’ll be among the first round of students considered. So not only will there be more space available for you, you’ll also leave a good impressions on the admissions staff by proving you can get your application materials together in a quick and timely fashion.
Consideration for Institutional Scholarships and Financial Aid
Financial aid departments often rely on admissions applications and FAFSA documentation when making a decision about who will receive institutional awards, so if they don’t have your applications when they start handing out scholarships and financial aid, they won’t be able to give you any of that free money!
Typically, applying by a college’s listed priority admissions date will ensure that you receive full consideration for all of the institutional scholarships and financial aid that you may be eligible for.
Housing Priority
Some colleges don’t have enough dorm space on campus for every student, and many of these decisions and assignments will be made on a first-come first-served basis. Whether its finding your first-choice dorm, or being able to get a dorm spot at all, the earlier you apply the better your odds will be.
Peace of Mind
Another under-appreciated benefit of applying to college early is that you’ll have a bit more peace of mind when the later application deadlines are coming due! Many colleges continue to accept admissions requests until around the end of a student’s senior year in high school, but that time of year is already booked with finals, graduation, and looking for summer employment.
If you don’t submit all your applications and supporting documents by the priority admissions deadline, don’t panic! Most schools still have spaces available passed that date and there are many sources of financial assistance other than institutional aid. Ideally though, an early admissions application can only help!
May 10th, 2010 at 2:35 am
Dear informer Hellow
My name is Rizwan about 16 years old I have passed SSC Examination from Karachi, Pakistan now I want to study in canada in information Tech. My father is disable have no source of income to support me for further education. My real uncle Altaf Hussain and their family is canadian national. I want to ask u that my real uncle can help me to get student visa or sponsorship me because he want sponsor me, and how & where can i apply for this purpose. hope u will help and guide me waiting your favourable good response
December 18th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
I agree with your post. I also encourage students to apply “early decision” to schools that they have a high interest in attending. This demonstrates to the admissions committee that their school is at the top of a student’s list. This also gives students a better shot at receiving merit-based scholarships.
May 19th, 2011 at 12:46 am
It certainly beats the living daylights out of late applications, I can say that from experience.