<p>Sent mine in 12/1 last year. Current freshman.</p>
<p>From another CC thread</p>
<p>Harvard admission officer said, </p>
<p>“We read applications in the order in which they are received beginning on the 1st of December. The earlier 250 applications are more exciting to read than the later 1,000.”
[there were laughs from the audience] and “I read about 1,200 essays last year. But I enjoy the last 250 less than the first 250, unless something really sings out.”</p>
<p>Harvard will start READING them Dec 1st this year. I got a letter from them saying so and encouraging me to apply before that “priority deadline”</p>
<p>opps … sorry about that. I replied only after jst reading the first page =P</p>
<p>Hey guys! I don’t know if it’s helpful, but I got this email from Harvard (here is the part which can be interesting for answering this thread)</p>
<p>"…We remind you that early submission of forms provides more time for the evaluation of your credentials or for replacement of any missing materials. It also allows us more time to schedule an alumni interview with you if possible. </p>
<p>We have already begun our careful evaluation process, reading applications in the order in which they are completed. All applicants and their guidance counselors and teachers are encouraged to submit their application materials by December 1st…"</p>
<p>Now my question is: I have my SAT Subject Tests on Dec 5 so, if I send the application NOW, will they start read it anyway even if the scores are missing?</p>
<p>^Yes, I received that exact email this afternoon. I do not know if it is true (the beginning of the evaluation process) but it might just motivate those to send in their applications on or before December 1 (including myself).</p>
<p>Tests can be taken as late as Jan 23 for the SAT so your SAT IIs will be considered in your final decision.</p>
<p>Yea I got the email too and am sitting Dec 5th SAT Subjects.</p>
<p>Will they WAIT until the they get all scores before reviewing??</p>
<p>Lol I had no idea about the Dec. 1st “deadline.” I’m screwed if there’s any disadvantage related to submitting later.</p>
<p>Dude, most of the people I know, including me, submitted our apps back in July. I guess that comes from the resources of going to the #1 high school in the nation, though, heh.</p>
<p>cadillac - there is not reason that you have to be “screwed” at this point. It was about this time last year that my daughter decided that she would go ahead and add Harvard to her list colleges. Because of the 12/1 deadline though, she decided to change up the order in which she was completing them. So though Harvard was #10, it was the 4th or 5th she completed. She submitted it over Thanksgiving vacation. She is a freshman there now. </p>
<p>So… if you want to apply and if you want to make the 12/1 priority deadline, it can be done. But, if you do fell that you cannot put together a quality application just to meet the deadline, then it would be better to just have it in before the Jan 1.</p>
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<p>My thoughts, on part of the reason that Harvard has this priority deadline as 12/1, are that those submitted by that date are applicants who have not yet heard if they have been accepted/rejected by schools with EA/ED on 12/15. Though Harvard is reputed to not consider interest, this is one way that an applicant can convey it. Just my thoughts and theory. :)</p>
<p>Back when my daughter applied and was accepted under SCEA, she did not apply before the priority deadline.
My personal theory is that it makes the management of the applications a little easier if some come in a bit earlier.</p>
<p>Oy. I submitted today. I used an essay I had already written for the supplement, so I could (and should) have submitted a month ago. Submitting later would probably only hurt if an app were submitted after Dec 1. Submitting by the date Harvard asks, like writing an additional essay, is another way an applicant can show his or her interest in the school and willingness to make the school happy.</p>
<p>twinmom: I agree with you about the deadlines. I had a few apps due Oct 15th, a few due Nov 1st, this one on Dec 1st, one Dec 15, and the rest Jan 1st and 2nd. Having them spaced out makes it easier.</p>
<p>Millancad: Actually, I meant that it makes it easier for Harvard! But it definitely makes it easier for the applicants too if they space them out.</p>
<p>Lots of luck to you - it feels good when you hit the submit button, doesn’t it?</p>
<p>For what it’s worth, last May I was perusing a Harvard admit group on facebook and there was a thread about people’s applications. I remember a number of people saying that there applications had been “Christmas gifts”, that they had sent them in on Christmas (or around then). Now they could have been superhuman incredi-applicants, I have no idea, but they sent their apps in a week before the deadline and got in. Like people have said, don’t compromise any part of your application to get it in a few days early. What’s most important is that it’s the best you can make it.</p>
<p>“My personal theory is that it makes the management of the applications a little easier if some come in a bit earlier.”</p>
<p>This is what I think, too. Understandably, the admissions officers want as many apps as possible to come in early, something that makes it easier on the admissions officers since they read all applications, and it makes it easier to arrange interviews. </p>
<p>Everything I have seen, however, as an alum interviewer, has indicated that every application gets a careful review, and it would be a mistake to compromise the quality of one’s application or academic work senior year in order to make the priority deadline.</p>
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<p>Someone I know (current '13er) sent his literally on December 29/30 and got in with a likely letter. That said he was international, and for the majority of applicants in my region, most of us will be submitting early to mid december because of the timing of our national exams (which end in November).</p>
<p>That’s why imo, when one gets the application in is almost minimally important to near irrelevant in comparison to how good the applicant (and application) is.</p>