Acceptance chances at different deadline dates

[mpa applicant]

Does anyone know if there are different acceptance rates for the different deadlines? The MPA programs I am applying to have early January deadlines for consideration for financial aid and then April deadlines for all applications. One of my letter writers is going into surgery and won't be able to write one for January - I can go to someone else, but I prefer her. I don't think I will qualify for financial aid, but if it will hurt my admission chances to apply in February rather than January, I would find someone else.

Thoughts?

[johndiligent]

You're probably not doomed if you apply by the final date, but bear in mind that it'll be a lot tougher to get in, because at that point some (or possibly even all) of the seats that they have may have been given away.

Let's say the programme can take 10 students next year. Those who apply now will obviously get first consideration. When they go through those applications, they'll pick out the ones that they definitely want to accept. By applying later, you're betting on the fact that they either a) haven't found 10 people they definitely want to accept, or b: most of the people they wanted didn't end up accepting their offer. For top programmes, these are both hedgy bets.

Edited November 14, 2009 by johndiligent

[gurumaster8899]

I would guess that the later you apply, the less spaces you will have to compete for, therefore probability of admission decreases..