Pretty sure they are sent out over the course of several days, as reported by everyone else over the years. Harvard does not do a mass email, neither does UPenn or Vandy.
As my deeply Southern Grandmother would say "whew chile".
I can't find a reason to disagree. I also find it out Harvard's PHD is 5 years, where UPenn and others are 4. You technically earn a masters while in the program but I already have a Masters of Ed so I applied for the EDLD program. Best of luck to you.
Are they? I think these forums prove it is a toss up really. No distinct thing they are searching for, just whatever "fits". Cohorts are different and that variability is what makes their choices hard to follow. Best of luck to you.