Though admitted, successful early applicants are not required to commit to Harvard until May 1, the same date all accepted students must indicate whether they plan to matriculate.

Fitzsimmons said Harvard plans to reach out to students admitted early in the coming months before the regular application decisions are released.

The admissions office has roped in students and faculty members to make phone calls to admitted students, as it has done in the past. Local Harvard alumni associations are also planning holiday parties.

New to the outreach, all early admits will receive free merchandise from the COOP and a handwritten note from the area representative who reviewed their applications.

“It’s a reminder to students that this is a process that is personal and that this is an institution that is personal,” said Fitzsimmons.

Still, Fitzsimmons said that students should take the time to make a careful decision.

“I would prefer to see people be 100 percent sure that they want to come to Harvard,” Fitzsimmons said. “And if that takes until May 1, that’s fine.”

Decision emails were sent to applicants after 5 p.m. Eastern time on Thursday.

—Staff writer Justin C. Worland can be reached at jworland@college.harvard.edu.