Application Question Forum

[Kurt Cobain]

So I'll be applying for admission to schools for Fall 2011. I have a question regarding when I should submit applications.

There is a school that I'm interested in applying to that has the application already available. I have all my materials ready to submit to this school. This school, however, is more of a backup school.

The application for my first choice doesn't open until September. I'm wondering if submitting an application to another school before submitting one to my first choice would possible tell my first choice that I'm less committed to attending than I really am. I plan on telling them in my personal statement that if I'm accepted I will attend, but I wonder if they will be put off at all since I will have (possibly) applied elsewhere.

Any feedback would be appreciated. Thank you!

[bk1]

It doesn't matter.

[094320]

..

[Kurt Cobain]

Right, but if I don't apply to this other school first, I wouldn't have to disclose it to my first choice when I apply.

So, to rephrase the question, will my first choice school care if they are the only school I apply to? Do schools look favorably upon that sort of thing?

[manbearwig]

Right, but if I don't apply to this other school first, I wouldn't have to disclose it to my first choice when I apply.

So, to rephrase the question, will my first choice school care if they are the only school I apply to? Do schools look favorably upon that sort of thing?

I'm sure the vast, vast majority of applicants apply to more than one school. Law schools don't care. If anything, you'd look naive applying to just one school (especially if it is a reach) because you're putting all your eggs in one basket.

[094320]

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[Kurt Cobain]

Well I would certainly apply to other schools, but only if I got rejected by my #1. So everyone thinks that holding out on applying to other schools to wait for a decision from a #1 choice is pointless?

[Hannibal]

Wait, so your idea was to wait until you got a response to your top choice?

Are you serious?

[Kurt Cobain]

Wait, so your idea was to wait until you got a response to your top choice?

Are you serious?

Yeah why bad idea?

[094320]

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[Hannibal]

Flame.

[Kurt Cobain]

Wait, so your idea was to wait until you got a response to your top choice?

Are you serious?

Yeah why bad idea?

Um...what if it takes them a long time to reply? Also, why? Trying to save money on app fees? You sacrifice your advantage elsewhere...

Ok cool thanks. I'll send the other app out ASAP.

[thecilent]

Weirdest flame I have ever seen.

Edit - maybe not flame then, but still really strange.

[Kurt Cobain]

Weirdest flame I have ever seen.

Edit - maybe not flame then, but still really strange.

Why is it strange? I feel like if you apply to a school, and they see that you haven't applied to any others, they might think you're more committed to their program. But I guess I'm wrong.

I don't know anything about the rolling admissions process. I applied and was accepted ED to my undergrad school. Sorry for my ignorance. Any input you could provide would be appreciated.

[094320]

..

[Kurt Cobain]

Weirdest flame I have ever seen.

Edit - maybe not flame then, but still really strange.

Why is it strange? I feel like if you apply to a school, and they see that you haven't applied to any others, they might think you're more committed to their program. But I guess I'm wrong.

I don't know anything about the rolling admissions process. I applied and was accepted ED to my undergrad school. Sorry for my ignorance. Any input you could provide would be appreciated.

Rolling admissions, in a nutshell: As time goes by, there are less and less spots yet, yet more and more applications! So it gets more competitive.

It doesn't really show commitment. They won't even notice or know or care. You will receive no boost, at all.

Ok awesome. Much appreciated. This is all I wanted to know. Thank you.