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[misswrite]

How far in advance is it appropriate to apply? I am thinking ahead for a Fall 2010 start, and the deadline is March 1st of next year. Obviously I won't be bombarding them with stuff now or anytime soon, but I doubt I'll be running around at the last minute either. When is it okay to start sending bits and pieces?

Comments

[goingtograd]

I was also an eager applicant, and I sent in my first application in early August of 2008. The graduate school told me I could wait, especially since I might be able to acquire some more experience between my submission date and the deadline (Jan. 15). But, I was ready, I had enough experience to show the program was a good fit for me, and I decided to send it anyway. I just got accepted last week.

One thing I did find, though, was that as the fall went on, I tightened and improved by SOP. By the time I sent in my last application, I had an SOP that I felt was much stronger than the one I had submitted to the institution to which I applied in August. Then, I spent many months fretting that my SOP was going to keep me out. That was the only pitfall of applying too early.

[misswrite]

Okay, thanks. I don't think I'll apply months and months early, but I was wondering if it was okay to get things in like one or two months in advance. I didn't want things to get lost or forgotten. :)

[misswrite]

Okay, thank you. Yeah, they want FIVE PAGES for my SOP. I guess that could be very, very good or very, very bad. It makes me glad I've been working in the field for quite a while.