What a deadline means for CASPA processing: Applicants must e-submit their application to CASPA no later than the program deadline posted on CASPA's web site. If the applicant is applying to more than one program, the application must be e-submitted by the earliest deadline date of the programs they have chosen. CASPA will not accept an application from an applicant if the posted deadline for the program is past. Paper applications must be postmarked no later than the program's deadline that is posted on the CASPA web site.

Once the application has been submitted, all transcripts and two of the three references have been received, the four to six week application processing phase will begin.

What a deadline means for CASPA programs: CASPA only accepts applications for programs up to the designated deadline. If programs wish to extend their deadlines, the program should contact CASPA, providing as much notice as possible before their original deadline.

While CASPA will process only those applications received by a designated program's deadline, they will initiate processing the applications as soon as the supporting materials have been received by CASPA. Three elements are required to meet CASPA's definition of a "complete application”:

• an application submitted by a program's deadline
• receipt of all official transcripts
• receipt of two of the three required references

Once these requirements have been met, the application is ready to process. The date the application is complete will be printed on the CASPA Academic Profile so that programs can decide for themselves which files meet their definition of deadline.

What a deadline means for supporting materials: Some programs may choose to require that all supporting materials (transcripts and references), along with the submitted application, be received by their CASPA deadline. Other programs may choose to be more flexible about when supporting materials must arrive. In both cases, programs can use the "complete" date on the Applicant Profile to determine compliance. If the "complete" date equals the program's CASPA deadline date or earlier, then both the required supporting materials and the application were received by their deadline. If the "complete" date is later than the program's CASPA deadline date, this will identify when the last of the supporting materials arrived, and programs can use this to determine if the application falls within their limits for receipt of supporting materials.

It is the program's responsibility to communicate to their applicants any flexibility in determining when supporting materials must arrive at CASPA. CASPA publishes only one deadline date per program and that is the cutoff for submitting the application itself.

Considerations for Programs when setting a deadline: CASPA suggests several factors should be considered when selecting an admissions deadline. These include:

• The length of time applicants need from receipt of their admission decision to the start date of the program.
• The period of time the program needs to complete interviews.
• The time required for the application review process to be completed. Programs often stagger this to evaluate records as they are received.
• The four to six week period after the program's deadline that CASPA requires to review and verify records from applicants. A longer period may be needed for programs that choose to accept application support materials later than the CASPA deadline.
• Time required for applicants to complete any secondary application materials, such as a supplemental application or program specific narrative.
• Time required at the program (or school) to process completed application and related materials.
• Time required to obtain any additional verification materials the program may require once an applicant has been accepted and may need prior to matriculation. (Official transcripts, degree verification or related materials.)

With these factors in mind, programs should adopt one of the following application deadlines: June 15, August 1, September 1, October 1, November 1, December 1, January 15, and March 1. Programs are expected to use these deadlines by the 2007-2008 application cycle and are encouraged to use them for the 2006-2007 cycle.

One applicant applying to multiple programs: What is the impact for the applicant and the schools? Applicants will strive to have their application complete in time to meet the earliest deadline of the different programs they have designated. Programs in that pool with later deadlines will receive the record as soon as it is ready for the very first program. The applicant has only one CASPA application to complete, which will have only one processing time dictated by the earliest due date of all their designated programs. All designated programs will receive the processed record at the same time.

Additional considerations when setting deadlines:

• Is the program's final deadline the same as that posted by CASPA? (For example, do all application materials need to be in by the CASPA posted deadline.)
• What is the impact of a supplemental application on the applicant?
• Does the supplemental application process duplicate information in the CASPA application?
• If only selected applicants in the program's applicant pool are required to complete a supplemental application, how will the applicant be notified?
• Does starting your application process depend upon the school waiting for all completed applications (and supporting materials) to be received, or can the program develop an application process that encourages applicants to apply early? (For example, offering interviews before all applications have been received.)
• Do the program's advertising materials provide applicants with all the information they need to navigate the application process and meet the posted deadline(s)?