Apply vs. Submit — What's the Difference?
By Fiza Rafique & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 8, 2024
"Apply" involves the act of formally requesting or seeking something, while "submit" means to present something for review, consideration, or judgment.
Difference Between Apply and Submit
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
When you apply for something, like a job or a college admission, you're initiating a request or expressing interest in an opportunity, often providing relevant personal and professional information to support your candidacy. On the other hand, when you submit a document or application, you are providing it to the relevant authority or organization for their review and decision-making process. This distinction highlights the action's intent: "apply" suggests a bid for selection, whereas "submit" focuses on the act of handing over information or materials for evaluation.
Applying typically requires preparation and submission of detailed information or documents that reflect the applicant's qualifications, aspirations, or proposals, tailored to specific criteria or requirements. Submitting, while it can be part of the application process, is more about the act of delivery itself, whether it's a form, an assignment, or any document, without implying the pursuit of acceptance or approval.
The term "apply" is often used in contexts where an individual's initiative and desire to participate or benefit from something are emphasized. For example, applying for a scholarship involves showcasing one's achievements and financial need. In contrast, "submit" is commonly used in scenarios where the emphasis is on the procedural step of handing in something, like submitting a report or assignment, without the implication of seeking approval or selection.
"Apply" carries a sense of aspiration and effort towards achieving a goal, such as applying for a grant, where the applicant must demonstrate eligibility and convince the grantor of their project's worthiness. Submit, however, implies compliance with a request or requirement, such as submitting a form by a deadline, emphasizing the fulfillment of a requirement more than the aspiration behind it.
The usage of "apply" and "submit" also reflects the nature of the interaction between the individual and the receiving entity. Applying is a proactive step indicating a person's intent and desire to change or attain something, often initiating a selection or evaluation process. Submitting, however, is the act of completing a required step within that process or in other procedural contexts, focusing more on the action of delivery than on the individual's intent or the content's purpose.
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Comparison Chart
Definition
To request formally for something or express interest
To present or hand in for review, consideration, or judgment
Context
Job applications, college admissions, grants
Assignments, documents, applications
Focus
On the applicant's intent and qualifications
On the act of handing in or presenting something
Implication
Seeking selection, approval, or opportunity
Fulfilling a requirement or request
Associated Action
Initiative to participate or gain something
Completion of a procedural or required step
Compare with Definitions
Apply
Seeking entry or access through a competitive process.
Thousands apply to prestigious universities every year.
Submit
To hand in something for evaluation or consideration.
The students were required to submit their essays by Friday.
Apply
To formally request something, especially a position or membership.
She decided to apply for the scholarship to fund her studies.
Submit
Presenting a document or application as required.
You must submit your application before the deadline.
Apply
The act of putting something into operation or use.
Apply the brakes gently to stop the car smoothly.
Submit
The act of yielding or surrendering to authority.
The losing party had to submit to the terms set by the court.
Apply
To make oneself a candidate for a job.
He plans to apply for the open marketing position.
Submit
To propose or suggest something for consideration.
The committee will submit its recommendations to the board.
Apply
Involves presenting one's qualifications for consideration.
To apply for the loan, you must submit your financial records.
Submit
Involves compliance with a request or command.
Employees must submit their travel expenses for reimbursement.
Apply
In mathematics and computer science, apply is a function that applies a function to arguments. It is central to programming languages derived from lambda calculus, such as LISP and Scheme, and also in functional languages.
Submit
Submit is an EP by the British band Pitchshifter, released on 23 March 1992 by Earache on LP, MC and CD.French black metal band Blut aus Nord covered "Bastardiser" for their EP Debemur Morti.
Apply
Make a formal application or request
A number of people have applied to vote by proxy
You need to apply to the local authority for a grant
Submit
To yield or surrender (oneself) to the will or authority of another.
Apply
Be applicable or relevant
Normal rules apply
Prices do not apply to public holiday periods
Submit
To subject to a condition or process
Submit a tissue sample to testing.
Apply
Put or spread (a substance) on a surface
The sealer can be applied to new wood
Submit
To present (something) to the consideration or judgment of another
We submitted our ideas to our supervisor.
Apply
Give one's full attention to a task; work hard
For two years, she applied herself to her studies with dedication
Submit
To offer as a proposition or contention
I submit that the terms are entirely unreasonable.
Apply
To bring into contact with something; put on
Applied glue sparingly to the paper.
Submit
To accept or give in to the authority, power, or will of another.
Apply
To put to or adapt for a special use
Applies all her money to her mortgage.
Submit
To allow oneself to be subjected to something
Submit to an interview.
Submit to drug testing.
Apply
To put into action
Applied the brakes.
Submit
(intransitive) To yield or give way to another.
They will not submit to the destruction of their rights.
Apply
To engage (oneself) in a task with close attention or persistence
Applied myself to my studies.
Submit
(transitive) To yield (something) to another, as when defeated.
Apply
To be pertinent or relevant
A rule that applies to everyone.
Submit
(ambitransitive) To enter or put forward for approval, consideration, marking etc.
I submit these plans for your approval.
Apply
To request or seek assistance, employment, or admission
Applied for unemployment benefits.
Will apply to college next year.
Submit
(transitive) To subject; to put through a process.
Apply
(transitive) To lay or place; to put (one thing to another)
To apply cream to a rash
Submit
To win a fight against (an opponent) by submission.
Apply
(transitive) To put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case
To apply funds to the repayment of a debt
Submit
To let down; to lower.
Apply
(transitive) To make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relative
We need to apply the skills we've learned to solve this problem
Submit
To put or place under.
Apply
(transitive) To put closely; to join; to engage and employ diligently, or with attention
Submit
To let down; to lower.
Sometimes the hill submits itself a while.
Apply
(transitive) To address; to refer; generally used reflexively.
Submit
To put or place under.
The bristled throatOf the submitted sacrifice with ruthless steel he cut.
Apply
(intransitive) To submit oneself as a candidate (with the adposition "to" designating the recipient of the submission, and the adposition "for" designating the position).
I recently applied to the tavern for a job as a bartender.
Most of the colleges she applied to were ones she thought she had a good chance of getting into.
Many of them don't know it, but almost a third of the inmates are eligible to apply for parole or work-release programs.
Submit
To yield, resign, or surrender to power, will, or authority; - often with the reflexive pronoun.
Ye ben submitted through your free assent.
The angel of the Lord said unto her, Return to thy mistress, and submit thyself under her hands.
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands.
Apply
(intransitive) To pertain or be relevant to a specified individual or group.
That rule only applies to foreigners.
Submit
To leave or commit to the discretion or judgment of another or others; to refer; as, to submit a controversy to arbitrators; to submit a question to the court; - often followed by a dependent proposition as the object.
Whether the condition of the clergy be able to bear a heavy burden, is submitted to the house.
We submit that a wooden spoon of our day would not be justified in calling Galileo and Napier blockheads because they never heard of the differential calculus.
Apply
(obsolete) To busy; to keep at work; to ply.
Submit
To yield one's person to the power of another; to give up resistance; to surrender.
The revolted provinces presently submitted.
Apply
(obsolete) To visit.
Submit
To yield one's opinion to the opinion of authority of another; to be subject; to acquiesce.
To thy husband's willThine shall submit.
Apply
Alternative spelling of appley
Submit
To be submissive or resigned; to yield without murmuring.
Our religion requires from us . . . to submit to pain, disgrace, and even death.
Apply
To lay or place; to put or adjust (one thing to another); - with to; as, to apply the hand to the breast; to apply medicaments to a diseased part of the body.
He said, and the sword his throat applied.
Submit
Refer for judgment or consideration;
She submitted a proposal to the agency
Apply
To put to use; to use or employ for a particular purpose, or in a particular case; to appropriate; to devote; as, to apply money to the payment of a debt.
Submit
Put before;
I submit to you that the accused is guilty
Apply
To make use of, declare, or pronounce, as suitable, fitting, or relative; as, to apply the testimony to the case; to apply an epithet to a person.
Yet God at lastTo Satan, first in sin, his doom applied.
Submit
Yield to the control of another
Apply
To fix closely; to engage and employ diligently, or with attention; to attach; to incline.
Apply thine heart unto instruction.
Submit
Hand over formally
Apply
To direct or address.
Sacred vows . . . applied to grisly Pluto.
Submit
Refer to another person for decision or judgment;
She likes to relegate difficult questions to her colleagues
Apply
To betake; to address; to refer; - used reflexively.
I applied myself to him for help.
Submit
Submit or yield to another's wish or opinion;
The government bowed to the military pressure
Apply
To busy; to keep at work; to ply.
She was skillful in applying his "humors."
Submit
Accept or undergo, often unwillingly;
We took a pay cut
Apply
To visit.
And he applied each place so fast.
Submit
Make an application as for a job or funding;
We put in a grant to the NSF
Apply
To suit; to agree; to have some connection, agreement, or analogy; as, this argument applies well to the case.
Submit
Make over as a return;
They had to render the estate
Apply
To make request; to have recourse with a view to gain something; to make application. (to); to solicit; as, to apply to a friend for information.
Submit
Accept as inevitable;
He resigned himself to his fate
Apply
To ply; to move.
I heard the sound of an oar applying swiftly through the water.
Apply
To apply or address one's self; to give application; to attend closely (to).
Apply
Put into service; make work or employ (something) for a particular purpose or for its inherent or natural purpose;
Use your head!
We only use Spanish at home
I can't make use of this tool
Apply a magnetic field here
This thinking was applied to many projects
How do you utilize this tool?
I apply this rule to get good results
Use the plastic bags to store the food
He doesn't know how to use a computer
Apply
Be pertinent or relevant or applicable;
The same laws apply to you!
This theory holds for all irrational numbers
The same rules go for everyone
Apply
Ask (for something);
He applied for a leave of absence
She applied for college
Apply for a job
Apply
Apply to a surface;
She applied paint to the back of the house
Put on make-up!
Apply
Be applicable to; as to an analysis;
This theory lends itself well to our new data
Apply
Give or convey physically;
She gave him First Aid
I gave him a punch in the nose
Apply
Avail oneself to;
Apply a principle
Practice a religion
Use care when going down the stairs
Use your common sense
Practice non-violent resistance
Apply
Ensure observance of laws and rules;
Apply the rules to everyone
Apply
Refer (a word or name) to a person or thing;
He applied this racial slur to me!
Apply
Apply oneself to;
Please apply yourself to your homework
Common Curiosities
Is submitting part of applying?
Yes, submitting is often a step within the application process, where documents or information are provided for review.
Can you apply without submitting anything?
No, applying usually involves submitting information or documents as part of the application process.
Do you apply to or submit for a grant?
You apply for a grant, indicating the initiation of a request for funding, which includes submitting a proposal or application documents.
What does submit mean in a professional context?
In a professional context, to submit means to present or hand in something, like a report or document, for review or consideration.
What's the difference between applying and submitting a job application?
Applying refers to the overall process of seeking a job, including expressing interest and providing qualifications. Submitting is the act of handing in your application as part of this process.
What does it mean to apply for something?
To apply means to formally request something, like a job or admission to an institution, usually by providing personal and professional information.
Why is it important to follow submission guidelines when applying?
Following submission guidelines ensures that your application is considered eligible and is reviewed properly during the selection process.
Can you submit an application after the deadline?
Generally, submissions after the deadline are not accepted, highlighting the importance of meeting submission requirements and deadlines.
Is applying more proactive than submitting?
Yes, applying is a proactive step indicating a desire and effort to attain something, whereas submitting focuses on the act of delivering required documents or information.
What happens after you submit an application?
After submitting an application, it undergoes review by the receiving entity, which may lead to further steps such as interviews or evaluations.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
