<p>on the Harvard FAQ page, it says:
Harvard</a> College Admissions Office: frequently asked questions
[quote]
Are a student's chances of admission enhanced by submitting application materials before other applicants?</p>
<p>No. We request, however, that students submit the Common Application and the Harvard Application Supplement by December 1 if possible. Receipt of these two forms allows us to expedite application processing and to arrange personal interviews more quickly.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>but on Harvard's downloadable pdf regarding application instructions, it says:
<a href="http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/utilities/electronic_resources/download/Rollo0708App_Welcome_Instructions.pdf%5B/url%5D">http://www.admissions.college.harvard.edu/utilities/electronic_resources/download/Rollo0708App_Welcome_Instructions.pdf</a>
[quote]
IMMEDIATELY
Please send:
• The Common Application or the Universal College Application
• The $65.00 application fee or a fee waiver request
Without your Common Application/Universal Application, we cannot open
your admission file, track supporting documents for your application, or send
your name to our alumni/ae for a possible interview in your area.
The Short Answer about one of your activities, the Personal Essay and the
Harvard Application Supplement may be sent at a later date.
DECEMBER 1
We will begin our careful evaluation process on this date, reading
applications in the order in which they are completed.
Our alumni/ae interviewers will appreciate your sending at least the
Common Application/Universal Application by this date to allow them to
begin the interviewing process in areas where this is possible.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>which is correct?</p>