<p>Does anyone know if the Harvard deadline is actually December 1 or is that just a recommended deadline? Thanks in advance.</p>
<p>It’s just recommended. The final one is until January 1.</p>
<p>Whether one submits by the recommended date or sometime in the month thereafter has no tangible consequence on one’s likelihood of admission. There is the immortal misconception, unmistakably derived from general anxiety, that submitting on or before Harvard’s December 1 “deadline” somehow favorably slants the odds. Admissions officers will assert that submitting by the December 1 date is “preferred,” for the basic sake of better easing the influx of paperwork and to organize document profiles for each candidate. But “preferred” should in no regard be misinterpreted as “we will lower the standards for you such that you’ll have less difficulty getting in.” The date of submission is not an admissions criterion.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot for explaining that in detail mifune. I feel a lot better now.</p>
<p>They started encouraging the earlier submission for Dec. 1 after Harvard got rid of its early decision program, just a few years back, which used to stagger the applications for the admissions office. If everyone submits just before Jan. 1, there is a huge influx at once. Also, interviews can be set up a little earlier if you apply earlier, I think.</p>
<p>Thanks for the thorough response to the OP’s question, mifune. Is your assertion based on insider knowledge or just a hunch of yours based on experience?</p>
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<p>Most of what I’ve gleaned has been directly from my regional representative. She was a valuable resource for admissions-related questions and additional clarifications when I was applying. </p>
<p>And if you don’t mind me asking, are you a fan of the Golden State Warriors?</p>
<p>Thanks for the clarification!<br>
Yes, I am. Are you familiar with/also a fan of the team?</p>
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<p>Yes, I firmly support Golden State as well.</p>
<p>does a december 10th-ish deadline put me at a disadvantage as far as getting interviews?</p>
<p>No, and neither does submission for Jan. 1st. Relax about this whole date of submission thing. If it helps you to submit early, in terms of getting it out of the way, then do it, but otherwise, just get it in before that final deadline :)</p>
<p>Harvard has only one deadline, and that’s January 1st. December 1st is just a recommended deadline so people don’t mail stuff on the 1st that takes 3 weeks to get to Harvard.</p>
<p>However, they do read applications in the order they come in, so it’s in your best interest to send your application out as soon as possible.</p>
<p>Also, interviews are required and come on a first come/first serve basis. If Harvard cannot schedule an interview for you it will not be held against you. However, it would be in your best interest to have one. So submit your application as soon as possible in order to get an interview.</p>
<p>I submitted my application in the middle of October, and I’ve already had my interview.</p>