Hofstadter's Law: "It always takes longer than you think, even when you take Hofstadter's Law into account."
This course moves quickly and the content builds on itself; we know that the best outcomes come from students staying on pace. That said, we know the the demands of student life are varied, so we have designed our late policy to give you some flexibility where we can.
- Each assignment has a deadline on which it is due. Submissions received by the deadline earn a small on-time bonus.
- We will accept late work during a short "grace period" after the deadline. The grace period is typically 48 hours, but may be shorter for certain assignments. There is no penalty for using the grace period, nor do you need to ask our permission. The grace period gives you the ability to self-grant an extension; we trust you will make reasonable use of that power.
- After the grace period expires, no further late submissions are accepted, unless there have been arrangements made for an exceptional situation.
The grace period is effectively an extension that is pre-approved. This allows you to self-accommodate for unexpected mishaps (laptop on the fritz, get a cold, etc) as needed. We strongly recommend that you always plan to finish by the deadline. This sets you on the path to earn the on-time bonus and preserves the grace period as a buffer should you hit a snag.
Further extensions beyond the grace period will not be granted, except in cases of truly exceptional circumstances. Such needs are accommodated on a case-by-case basis and arranged by the Head TA (do not email your section leader).
Common questions about late policy
Is the ontime bonus reflected in my assignment grade?
The on-time bonus is separate from the bucket grades shown on Paperless. We aggregate the bonuses you earned and use as small boost to your course grade at the end of the quarter.
If I make a first submission by the deadline, can I use the grace period to make a later submission or add a extension?
If you make multiple submissions, we grade the last one. If the last submission is during the grace period, you forfeit any on-time bonus. The grace period is intended to provide flexibility when unexpected circumstances prevent you from finishing the assignment by the deadline. Late submissions put extra pressure on your section leader to return feedback to you in a timely manner. We ask that you use the grace period only when your situation requires it.