Are late applicants at a disadvantage?

No, because you will be applying before 15th January.

I am a late applicant as in two years late. Its fine. Places are always up for grabs providing you get the grades. Stop stressing, some people have far more to worry about. Like going to university 2 years older than the 'norm'.

You answer point blank like there isn't even a question up for debate. As I noted in the post before this one, I got 5 offers before January, if a certain course plans to give out, say 1,000 conditional offers, there are less remaining places for the early January applicants to fight for if I, and undoubtedly several other people, have just got one?

Apparently anyone by January 15th will receive equal consideration, but I do not see how this is possibly. Loads of people have already had offers, so there are less offers now available. Therefore people who apply late surely are at a disadvantage? I really do not understand the system. I would have thought the only way to give everyone equal consideration would be to not give any offers until every single application has been sent in. Obviously this impossible so I really do not understand how they claim that people who apply late have still got equal chances.

universities make offers in november/december to the strongest candidates that they think would get in even after january. most other offers they hold out on until the deadline. so they basically give out miiiiiiniiiiiimaaaalllllll offers before the deadline

Means I am in the 'maybe' pile.
Doesn't make me feel very special.

No, it doesn't always. It could just mean that they haven't seen your application yet - they have hundreds (or thousands!) to go through, and so can't do them all at once. Or it could mean they just don't like giving offers out early.

I wish they would just tell me now though ! I hate waiting, mind you I do have one offer so I feel wanted .

Jesus, no need for that. I have offers too, I'm just telling him the theory behind it, not the practise that actually happens.

No, I meant from last year. Anyway, the post was supposed to have more of an enquiring tone if you knew anything more ... not a rude one, sorry if that's what it sounded like.

Apparently anyone by January 15th will receive equal consideration, but I do not see how this is possibly. Loads of people have already had offers, so there are less offers now available. Therefore people who apply late surely are at a disadvantage? I really do not understand the system. I would have thought the only way to give everyone equal consideration would be to not give any offers until every single application has been sent in. Obviously this impossible so I really do not understand how they claim that people who apply late have still got equal chances.