Apply earlier or wait until this semester's transcripts are released?

[the defenestration]

Most of my applications are due in January or late December, but I know they are reviewed on a rolling basis, and one or two have specified that they begin the review process in November. So I was thinking it would be best to have all my admissions stuff submitted by November, which is when my GRE scores come in.

However, I'm increasingly worried about my GPA. During my freshman and sophomore year, my GPA was pretty abysmal. I completely turned that around after switching majors, but my GPA is now a 3.0. So I have 4 semesters of terrible grades followed by 2 semesters of mostly A's. Are the last two semesters going to be convincing enough? After this semester I will have about a 3.15, plus another semester proving that I can excel in upper division coursework in my field. Does this make much of a difference? Is it better to just not risk spots filling up when I can submit my applications so much earlier?

[fuzzylogician]

What are you applying for - PhD, MA; professional, research-oriented? what is the rest of your application list - do you have strong LORs, research experience, publications, a strong writing sample? it's really difficult to tell you what to do based on the partial information you've provided. The question is how well you'll do with a lower GPA, but that depends on what else you have in your application that could offset it. If this is your only weak point, discuss it in your SOP and don't wait. If you don't have much else, maybe it's better to submit the stronger transcript. Either way, you should contact the programs you're applying to and find out if it's possible to update your transcripts after you've submitted your application - maybe they will reconsider your app if one factor shows significant improvement?

[adinutzyc]

Hey, I think there is little to earn from applying so much earlier. I know applications are considered on a rolling basis, but I applied on the deadline date for all of my schools (some of them the date after because the submission system wasn't clear and there was an extra button to push that I didn't notice at 12 am). Many of them accepted me, and even more of them considered me. At least in my field and for my specific application, I do not think applying early could have saved me.

A weak GPA but which greatly improved in the last semesters is better than the other way around. My GPA was pretty consistent, but it did go down over the last semesters. It didn't seem to matter. As long as, if there is a cut, you make the cut (and they cut at around 3.0), then they should not take someone else just because of the other parts of the application. Write a great SOP, explain the GPA problem. Get great LORs. Maybe instead of writing an extensive explanation, ask one of your recommenders to explain in his. Don't worry that much about the GPA. You can apply earlier than I did (please do so), but you don't have to be one of the first to apply in order to get considered.

[fuzzylogician]

Don't worry that much about the GPA. You can apply earlier than I did (please do so), but you don't have to be one of the first to apply in order to get considered.

Except this is a different situation than yours -- there is indeed nothing to be gained from submitting early if there is a fixed deadline. But there is a clear advantage to not waiting too long in a rolling admissions system.

[the defenestration]

fuzzylogician - I am applying to cancer bio PhD programs. I should have pretty good LORs, and my research experience is good (though it's looking like I won't have publications until several months after I apply). I took the new GRE and they gave me an estimate of 750-800 for each section of the test, so my scores shouldn't be a problem. Overall my application (other than the GPA) will look decent.

adinutzyc - the problem is that I am applying to a research-based program. If professors are only looking for one or two new students to accept into their labs, then it is possible that these positions are going to be filled quickly.

I suppose I am answering my own question - waiting is seeming like a less attractive option.