<p>The Harvard early action final deadline is November 1st, but on its website, Harvard says "Please return this form to us as soon as possible, and by October 15, if possible."
This is in reference to the supplement to the common app.</p>
<p>Does anyone know how beneficial it would be to have the whole application submitted by October 15, as opposed to a couple of weeks later? Would it be better to submit a slightly less polished app by October 15 or to take the extra couple weeks before the final deadline to work on the app?</p>
<p>The October 15th recommendation is so “we may create and begin processing your file. Our alumni/ae interviewers would appreciate your sending the Common Application/Universal Application by this date to allow them to begin the interviewing process where possible.”</p>
<p>What part of your application needs more polish? If it’s your essays, you could submit the common app and supp now without the essays and snail-mail the essays in by November 1st. That would allow admissions to open a file on you and schedule you for an alumni interview.</p>