applying early vs applying late

[imemily]

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It seems as if applying early, i.e., before January, of the application year, is considered early and better, since most schools use rolling admissions.

However, is this true with someone who has a relatively low GPA, and is looking to boost their GPA by taking courses in the following semester, thereby making their application much stronger?

For example:

Student A can apply in November with a 2.9 cGPA
vs
Student A can apply in March with a 3.2 cGPA (due to doing well in extra courses)

Isn't it likely that the schools will reject you if you apply in November, due to the low gpa, while most schools, will accept you, if seats are available, due to the more normal GPA?

 

[optsuker]

I'd always suggest applying early unless you have really poor numbers.
If your stats improve, amend you application later.

 

[nicmc]

It seems as if applying early, i.e., before January, of the application year, is considered early and better, since most schools use rolling admissions.

However, is this true with someone who has a relatively low GPA, and is looking to boost their GPA by taking courses in the following semester, thereby making their application much stronger?

For example:

Student A can apply in November with a 2.9 cGPA
vs
Student A can apply in March with a 3.2 cGPA (due to doing well in extra courses)

Isn't it likely that the schools will reject you if you apply in November, due to the low gpa, while most schools, will accept you, if seats are available, due to the more normal GPA?

The earlier you apply, the better. Rolling admissions means that they take people they want as they come- which is more of advantage to people with lower stats. If you apply in March, you will still have competition from people who apply at the same time whose stats might be higher. You then are competing for few seats. If you have poor stats and apply early, they may not interview you immediately, but I would say your shot is better. The admissions reps usually advise you to apply early. Also, if your stats are really low, they might not even extend you an interview until after January anyway and have the previous term's grade. I don't think you have anything to lose by applying earlier- of course it's hard to tell without knowing your stats. Call the schools and ask.

 

[imemily]

How does the admissions committee determine when to delay the interview of applicants with low gpa's instead of just rejecting them?

 

[Bioflare]

Apply early even with low gpa, but contact the admissions before hand to inform them that you are currently taking courses to improve your marks. If the committee thinks you're a candidate early on then all for it. Otherwise at least they won't reject you and can just leave you on the back burner till they receive your updated marks.

Applying late is not good, I did it and I think the only thing that got me interviews was my moderately high OAT. Acceptance just depends on how well you do in your interviews when you apply late in the cycle... because most spots would be filled by then by early deposits.

 

[ABaverage]

Always apply early. It's funny, I kept reading on here that people with lower scores get in first.. I think it is quite the opposite. They are more choosy in the beginning and want to accept all the star students. They are always wanting to wait and see if a better applicant shows up.. and want space for them. When they find out that they could potentially not fill all of their seats (aka lose big $$), then they start pulling the not so star students in.


But that has nothing to do with when you apply. Just go for it and follow up. The good thing about applying early is earlier interviews so they know who you are. Make great impressions. I have heard somewhere that if you get an interview you are "all on the same level". I don't believe that either. They will look at everything, including your interview, scores, etc.. and decide just how bad they want you there.

 

[imemily]

So, what constitutes a rejection?

Technically, if you have low stats, it sounds logical, to boost your gpa via a semester, and then apply. You would be a stronger candidate, and thus have a stronger chance in gaining admittance. Wouldn't you agree?

By applying early, with low stats, you can risk a rejection, if I understand rolling admittance correctly. So why do most of you believe that applying early is beneficial, if a candidate has relatively low stats?

 

[lsmc888]

applying early always is best because then you have a chance to be placed on a wait list until they see your grades for the fall. if you apply late, chances are you will have a tougher time since most incoming classes will be almost full or filling up and those with better statistics will be preferred over the low stats that could have been considered had they applied earlier.

and a jump from a 2.9 to a 3.2 over the course a semester is unrealistic, unless you are retaking failed courses, in which case, you replace them with an A