Does when you submit your application impact when you hear back?

[teainateacup]

I'm wondering if graduate programs are likely to process your application and send you an offer (hopefully) sooner if you submit your application prior to the application deadline. Or do they process all applications (regardless of submission date) following the deadline, and then send out the first round of offers based on the entire pool of applicants?

[rising_star]

If the school does rolling admissions, then applying sooner could lead to hearing backs sooner. But if there's one deadline for all applications, then it's unlikely anyone's applications get read before the deadline. So they're probably sending out the first round of offers based on the entire applicant pool.