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Internship deadlines
When an internship has multiple deadlines, should you always apply as early as possible? How should you prioritize applying early with being most prepared?
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Jacob’s Answer
When applying for internships with multiple deadlines, it's essential to strike a balance between applying early and being well-prepared. Here's how you can prioritize and approach this:
1. **Understand the Deadlines:**
- Carefully read the internship listings and understand the different deadlines. Some internships may have rolling admissions, while others have specific early or regular deadlines.
2. **Start Early Preparation:**
- Begin preparing your application materials well in advance of the earliest deadline. This includes updating your resume, crafting a compelling cover letter, and gathering any required documents like transcripts or letters of recommendation.
3. **Quality over Speed:**
- Prioritize the quality of your application materials. A well-crafted, tailored application is more likely to stand out than a rushed one. Take the time to customize your materials for each internship.
4. **Plan Your Strategy:**
- Consider your top choices among the internships and allocate more time and effort to these applications. For internships with later deadlines, you can spend more time refining your application.
5. **Be Mindful of Rolling Admissions:**
- If an internship has rolling admissions, it means they review applications as they come in. Applying early for these can increase your chances, but don't rush your application. Submit it only when you feel it's polished.
6. **Stay Organized:**
- Keep a calendar or spreadsheet with all the deadlines, requirements, and application progress. This will help you stay on top of multiple applications.
7. **Seek Feedback:**
- Share your application materials with mentors, professors, or career advisors to get feedback. Their insights can help you improve your application's quality.
8. **Apply Strategically:**
- Consider your qualifications and fit for each internship. Apply to the ones where you believe you have the best chance of being a strong candidate, rather than applying to every opportunity indiscriminately.
9. **Submit Early If Possible:**
- If you're fully prepared, there's no harm in submitting your application before the deadline. Early applicants may receive interviews or decisions sooner.
10. **Manage Your Time:**
- Create a schedule that allows you to allocate time for each application. Be realistic about the effort needed for each, and avoid last-minute rushes.
11. **Check for Rolling Decision Dates:**
- Some internships with rolling admissions might also provide rolling decision dates. If you receive an offer from one of these early, it can help you make more informed decisions about other applications.
12. **Follow Up:**
- After applying, consider sending a polite follow-up email to express your interest and inquire about the timeline for interviews or decisions.
Remember that different internships may have different priorities and evaluation processes. Applying early is generally a good practice, but not at the expense of the quality of your application. Each application should reflect your genuine interest and suitability for the role. By staying organized and managing your time effectively, you can balance the need to apply early with being well-prepared for each internship opportunity.
1. **Understand the Deadlines:**
- Carefully read the internship listings and understand the different deadlines. Some internships may have rolling admissions, while others have specific early or regular deadlines.
2. **Start Early Preparation:**
- Begin preparing your application materials well in advance of the earliest deadline. This includes updating your resume, crafting a compelling cover letter, and gathering any required documents like transcripts or letters of recommendation.
3. **Quality over Speed:**
- Prioritize the quality of your application materials. A well-crafted, tailored application is more likely to stand out than a rushed one. Take the time to customize your materials for each internship.
4. **Plan Your Strategy:**
- Consider your top choices among the internships and allocate more time and effort to these applications. For internships with later deadlines, you can spend more time refining your application.
5. **Be Mindful of Rolling Admissions:**
- If an internship has rolling admissions, it means they review applications as they come in. Applying early for these can increase your chances, but don't rush your application. Submit it only when you feel it's polished.
6. **Stay Organized:**
- Keep a calendar or spreadsheet with all the deadlines, requirements, and application progress. This will help you stay on top of multiple applications.
7. **Seek Feedback:**
- Share your application materials with mentors, professors, or career advisors to get feedback. Their insights can help you improve your application's quality.
8. **Apply Strategically:**
- Consider your qualifications and fit for each internship. Apply to the ones where you believe you have the best chance of being a strong candidate, rather than applying to every opportunity indiscriminately.
9. **Submit Early If Possible:**
- If you're fully prepared, there's no harm in submitting your application before the deadline. Early applicants may receive interviews or decisions sooner.
10. **Manage Your Time:**
- Create a schedule that allows you to allocate time for each application. Be realistic about the effort needed for each, and avoid last-minute rushes.
11. **Check for Rolling Decision Dates:**
- Some internships with rolling admissions might also provide rolling decision dates. If you receive an offer from one of these early, it can help you make more informed decisions about other applications.
12. **Follow Up:**
- After applying, consider sending a polite follow-up email to express your interest and inquire about the timeline for interviews or decisions.
Remember that different internships may have different priorities and evaluation processes. Applying early is generally a good practice, but not at the expense of the quality of your application. Each application should reflect your genuine interest and suitability for the role. By staying organized and managing your time effectively, you can balance the need to apply early with being well-prepared for each internship opportunity.
Updated
Andres’s Answer
If it is a place with rolling admissions, I would prioritize applying as early as possible, unless you know for certain that the extra time preparing will help you that much more, and even then I would say apply around the halfway point.
If they only look at the applications in a bunch after the deadline, then apply when you feel that you have gotten the most reasonably prepared you can get, even if this means applying early (you don't want to leave it for a week and then forget to apply on the last day!)
I would say that as a general rule, applying earlier is usually better, as after you send in the application, you can work on your own skills specifically to prepare for the interview itself, it will stand out more that you have more things to talk about than what is simply on your resume.
If they only look at the applications in a bunch after the deadline, then apply when you feel that you have gotten the most reasonably prepared you can get, even if this means applying early (you don't want to leave it for a week and then forget to apply on the last day!)
I would say that as a general rule, applying earlier is usually better, as after you send in the application, you can work on your own skills specifically to prepare for the interview itself, it will stand out more that you have more things to talk about than what is simply on your resume.
Updated
Tanya’s Answer
Personally, I believe that applying early is your best bet. Once you've applied, try to get ahold of your recruiter and keep in touch with them. Give them updates if you feel it would help your case. Express continued interest in the role. Keeping a good relationship with your recruiter is key to making sure they remember you and are more likely to consider you for the role first.