<p>Would I be at a disadvantage to submit my app say on December 15th, or 20th, as opposed to submitting it on December 1st? </p>
<p>I got an email from Harvard recommending that I send in my app as early as possible, but will this really affect my chances?</p>
<p>When Harvard stopped having early decision, they began urging students to apply early, so that the admissions office wouldn’t be bombarded with applications all at once. (Admissions told me this, actually.) </p>
<p>However, they also insist that it makes no difference in their decision, whether you apply early or just before the deadline.</p>
<p>Our daughter sent in the common application without the essays, early, as I remember. Like maybe late October. That is what admissions suggested, when we called with your question: that way, a file can be set up for the student. Also, that way she was given an interview fairly early, too.</p>
<p>But I remember her writing essays during Christmas vacation, and also some anxiety about recommendations being sent in in time.</p>
<p>It was fine.</p>