So I've been looking through various college admissions sites and I've found the term 'priority deadline'. I'm not exactly sure what this means. Is it a sort of early decision thing? Is it best if I apply by the priority deadline? I'm pretty confused, any help would be greatly appreciated!
A 'priority deadline' is an important date in the college application process that some colleges and universities use. Applying by a school's priority deadline does not bind you to that school in the way that an Early Decision agreement might, but it does offer some potential benefits.
Priority deadlines typically come before the regular decision deadlines. If you apply by the priority deadline, your application might be reviewed earlier, and you might receive the decision ahead of those who apply by the Regular Decision deadline.
Another important aspect of the priority deadline is related to financial aid and scholarship consideration. When you apply by a school's priority deadline, you may have an improved chance of receiving institutional financial aid or scholarships, because many schools distribute these resources on a first-come, first-served basis. If these funds run out, later applicants may not have the opportunity to receive them, even if they qualify.
It is not a requirement to apply by the priority deadline, but it can certainly be advantageous. You'll want to make sure you still submit a strong, carefully reviewed application, so don't rush your application to meet the priority deadline and sacrifice quality. And be sure to check each individual school's policies regarding their priority deadlines because they may vary.
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