<p>My son’s at Harvard and very busy with a performing arts group. He has found that if he asks for an deadline extension well in advance, and has a valid reason, such as a performance out of state, the requests are generally granted. For long-term projects, most of his profs/TFs do have incremental requirements - paper topic, paper outline, first draft, etc. - and expect students to meet the requirements. Most of his TF’s have been fabulous, by the way, but he learned to “shop” sections almost as much as he “shops” each class.</p>