<p>Hi, this is directed at the people who have previously applied to Harvard. When did you start filling out your common app application? I got one in the mail, as I'm sure many have.</p>
<p>depends if you are applying early. if so, i would start in august or september. if not, then october.</p>
<p>Because there’s no Early Action or Early Decision program at Harvard anymore, it really is not required for you to get it in before any date before the deadline in January; however, I’m told it is to the applicant’s advantage to be in the first pool of applicants read. So, the earlier you submit could actually affect the outcome.</p>
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<p>First of all, you can’t apply early. The deadline is December 31st, w/ the priority deadline (no one is quite sure what that means) being December 1st. </p>
<p>Focus on making the most out of your summer. I would highly recommend doing the Common App online, but I don’t think that is released until mid-July. The application itself is relatively simple, so if you really want to get started I would focus on your essays.</p>
<p>The priority deadline is in place at an attempt to make the processing of your application as smooth as possible. To begin, a complete application will set you up with an interview and due to the logistical nightmare that is setting up interviews, it makes it easier on all parties if things weren’t rushed as well as getting the interview report back as soon as possible. Also, admissions officers actually begin reading on December 1st, thus, yours will be read earlier. Take this fact for what it’s worth, but basically, I interpret it as you setting up the competitive barometer.</p>
<p>Personally, I didn’t start my (common) application as well as one unique university application until right after Thanksgiving and was definitely pushing myself to complete all my applications on time. Right at the beginning of senior year tends to be a comfortable time to start chopping away at your application and make sure to ask for recommendation letters early on (end of junior year is a very comfortable time, imo)</p>
<p>dummies, i know harvard doesn’t have early action/decision. but OP said about COMMON APP, and i don’t think he is just applying to harvard.</p>
<p>When I was applying to college last year, I made my account in August and began filling it out in September. By October, it was more or less complete (though it took me until December to finish certain schools’ essays).</p>
<p>When I was applying to Harvard I made the account in September but - oops I didnt actually submit my Haravd application untill December 29th… :////</p>