When should I apply for new grad 2025 roles?

Sounds good. What is the absolute latest I can apply to big tech without risking a position closing out (especially for big tech)? For example, Amazon listed the SDE role, but I want to maximize my chances of getting through the interviews. Would it be worth waiting at least till Aug (when I'm hopefully adequately prepped by that point) and apply? In the meantime I can apply to companies I'm less excited for to get my feet wet.

tbh its hard to say but my general thesis is that there are a lot lot of good companies out there so dont worry about messing up a single opportunity.

Apply to anything as soon as it opens up. There's 3 scenarios

1. You apply ASAP, get an interview ASAP because they close out positions soon (no loss because if you waited you wouldnt even get this intv)
2. You apply ASAP but they wait till August to start interviewing (ideal)
3. You wait till August but by then theyve closed out the positions and the posting is just there in case someone bails out last minute (best case, but less likely)

Youd rather fail an interview than not take an interview. If you applied early and got an interview early you have very little to lose because they likely would close the position before you're interview ready

Every company does things differently but generally for internships/new grad most companies tend to start interviews around Oct ish to roll out offers before thanksgiving. But a lot of companies tend to hire on a rolling basis and close out soon. Google's 2025 internship I think already closed

In general I think there's so much variance in how things play out it's hard to predict how recruiting goes. Even with the same company when they hire and stuff is just so random.

The key to getting interviews for newgrad/internships is to get insanely good at hackerrank stuff. If you can crack those OAs you'll get tons of interviews

At the end of the day volume conquers variance so just keep applying and take as many stabs at the goal as possible