Hey guys. This is probably a dumb questions, but here it goes. I’m apply to Harvard for regular decision and wanted to know what the interview process was like for RD applicants. I assume there are alumni interviews for US applicants applying RD (or is that only for EA?). Beyond that, I wanted to know when I would have to submit my CommonApp in order to schedule it in time. Could I submit it on January 1 or do I need to get it out earlier? I couldn’t find any of this stuff on the website - maybe I’m just blind. Anyways, thanks in advance!
RD interviews do NOT begin until the SCEA round has been completed – around mid December. That said, most RD interviews are not scheduled until mid-January and last until mid-March.
Is this typically the same for other competitive schools? (Thank you btw that’s super useful)
^^ Yes, it’s the same for other competitive schools: YPSM et al.
That’s not really accurate, @Gibby. Local interview coordinators can assign regular interviews at any time. Having a complete RD application in November or December does allow those local folks more time to assign interviews, if they wish to do so.
Confirming what EastGrad said. My D SCEA’d to another school, but turned in her H application fairly early in November, and heard back from her alumni interviewer for an interview at the beginning of December.
One of the Ivy I interviewed for had list of applicants which included both ED and RD and recommended that priority be given to choosing the ED before the RD. Therefore, RD interviews can happen at anytime.
I applied regular decision and already had my interview. Interviewer said she had to have it in by February.
^^Just confirming what everyone else said, but I also already had my Harvard RD interview. My interviewer said that most interviewers will complete the SCEA interviews first and then move onto RDs.
My son submitted his app 40 minutes before the Jan. 1st deadline and got an alumni interview and also an AO interview later on. I’m not recommending you follow his example (especially if you don’t want to give your mom a heart attack), just sharing his experience.
andsometimesY ditto in my house: I avoided stress by telling him he could always work for a year if he didn’t get the application in 
H got an interview in a timely fashion. Making the deadline by minutes is fine as long as your computer doesn’t crash!
Is there any advantage of submitting the Harvard RD application by Dec 15th? Or would Dec 31st work as well?
@StanfordOrBust19: Dec 15th is a courtesy deadline, allowing Admissions Officers to get a jump on reading applications. Submitting by Dec 15th does NOT increase your chances or give an advantage. FWIW: Many students are admitted to the college who submitted applications at the last minute on December 31st, so submit when your application is ready!
I applied RD and had my Harvard Alumni interview yesterday!
@gibby that’s solid advice. Thank you so much, I’ll definitely take my time to submit a strong application
My S submitted RD application weeks ago. We still do not get any interview invitation. Is it abnormal? We asked AO. It was told that interview or not will not effect admission decision. Is it tire?
With both local alums and AOs on holiday break its perfectly normal you have not heard from them.
Unlike job interviews where they are the most important element for deciding a candidate, the alum interviews at most Ivy schools admissions are more for alum engagement than for acting as the last arbiter in selecting a candidate. However, I have never heard of any Harvard admit without an interview; some interviews can take place after the candidates receive likely letters. In another word, you may not need one to get admitted but you must have one as an admitted student.
RD decisions won’t be finished till mid March. An applicant can get an interview request up till that time.
Question to @gibby and @jzducol. If the alum interviewer said, “you’ll hear about the next step from the admissions team.” after the interview, is this a good sign or neutral remark meaning that he would say this to a person who may get the rejection from the AO team as well?
The alumni interviewer has no clue where you stand with the AO. There is no next step other than a decision, unless you are missing items from your application.
@BKSquared, He said he is also on the admissions team. Do you think he is influential in making decisions?