Really lost on the due dates and supplements...help please?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>So I am trying to understand the pdf files that harvard has up as app instructions. There are a few things I don't understand. I would appreciate any help on this matter....I am a regular decision applicant.</p>

<p>This is what I am looking at:
<a href="http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/forms/complete_application_0910.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/forms/complete_application_0910.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>Do I need to get anything in by Dec 1? If not, is it saying that they simply prefer that I do, but everything is due Jan 1?
<a href="http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/forms/supplement_0910.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/apply/forms/supplement_0910.pdf&lt;/a>
says to return it by dec 1, but if i'm doing the application online, is it still the same? </p>

<p>It also says, "The Short Answer about one of your activities, the Personal Essay and
the Harvard Application Supplement may be sent at a later date."</p>

<p>What are they talking about? Where do I see this? </p>

<p>then it says, "You may choose to send your Personal Statement and Short Answer
on a separate piece of paper. If you do so, please write your full name,
address, birthdate and high school on each page."</p>

<p>can't i do this online? what short answer? how are they different from the common app online? </p>

<p>I am applying from outside of the U.S, and I am a U.S. citizen, but common app asks me "What specific plans do you have, if any, for using the education you hope to receive?" how is this question different from the above?</p>

<p>i'm really confused and lost on what i'm supposed to hand in, what i can hand in, and by when. please help me out, thank you!</p>

2

<p>To help ease the burden of scheduling more than 29,000 alumni interviews, Harvard prefers that you electronically send them the Common Application and Supplement by Dec 1st. If you don’t have your essays ready by Dec 1st, you could send them an incomplete Common App, along with the supplement, saying that you will send in your short answer and personal statement by snail mail before the January 1st deadline. </p>

<p>Keep in mind, this is only a request. You could also send Harvard everything after the Dec 1st deadline, however your alumni interview will not be scheduled until they receive your common app and supplement. Given the number of applicants, the later you send in your common app and supplement, the later your alumni interview will be scheduled.</p>