When do most colleges review applications?

Hi folks, just curious... When do most universities typically start evaluating college applications? I want to get mine in early enough to stand out.

Generally, college application review begins soon after the deadlines for Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA), which typically fall around November 1st or 15th for most colleges. Admission committees spend several weeks carefully reviewing ED/EA applications before releasing decisions commonly in mid-December.

Afterward, attention turns to Regular Decision (RD) and rolling admissions applications. RD deadlines are commonly January 1st or 15th, and colleges typically start reviewing these applications thereafter. The review process can take a few months, often extending up to late March or early April when RD decisions are released.

For schools with rolling admissions, they review and make admissions decisions as applications come in, so it's beneficial to apply sooner rather than later to these schools.

Do keep in mind though, applying earlier doesn’t necessarily give you an advantage in the process, as applications are usually read in random order. However, ensuring your application is complete as early as possible can give you peace of mind.