Late Policy

Social Studies does not like to impose penalties, and we hope that the policy spelled out here will not have to be applied to any senior. Nevertheless, the tight timing of thesis submission, reader comments, and scheduling oral exams makes it very important that your thesis is submitted on time. The policy below is in line with the penalty policies of other social science concentrations.

Check your Social Studies 99 Canvas page for the thesis due date (Thesis Day) for any given semester. Submission instructions can also be found there.

Additionally, you will need to come to the Social Studies office later on Thesis Day to turn in a printed copy of your cover page, sign the honor code, and celebrate!

Late submission penalties:

• Day 1 (Thesis Day), 2pm-11:59pm: -0.33
• Day 2 by 11:59pm: -0.66
• Day 3 by 11:59pm: -1.00
• Day 4 by 11:59pm: -1.33
• Day 5 by 11:59pm: -1.66 
• … and so on (-.33 per day)

Extensions may be provided exclusively in cases of documented medical illness or grave family emergency; students should consult with the Director of Studies (crominger@fas.harvard.edu) in that event and as soon as possible. Missed alarm clocks, crashed computers, or competing paper deadlines or midterms are not considered valid causes for extensions. You should plan to complete a full draft of your thesis at least three weeks before the due date to allow enough time for revisions and proofreading.