Students routinely ask us when they should submit their applications. The easy answer: by the deadline. However, we know what they are really asking. There are rumors that would lead you to believe that you have to strategize when it comes to the date that you hit submit.
At UVa, there is no benefit to the application who submits their application early. There is a benefit to us in that we are able to spread processing of applications out a little more widely when applications come in early. The first few weeks of January are pretty crazy around here since most students submit their applications at or right around the deadline.
Our processing staff would love it if you were able to hit submit early, but from where I sit, I don't want you to hit submit until you are confident that your application is the best it can be. If that happens on December 31st, we will mange just fine.
Good luck! One month to go!