How does rolling admission work and which schools offer it?

I'm curious about schools with rolling admission. How does this process differ from regular deadlines, and which colleges offer it? I'm trying to plan my application timeline and could really use some insights on this.

Rolling admission is a unique process in which universities and colleges review applications as they are submitted and continue taking them until all available spots in the incoming class are filled. How this differs from regular admission stem from a few key points:

1. Duration of Application Acceptance: In contrast to regular admission, which has strict deadlines (usually in the winter), schools with rolling admission usually open their applications in the early fall, sometimes as early as July or August, and keep them open for many months, often right up until the beginning of the fall term.

2. Timelines for Decisions: Usually, schools with rolling admission can get back to applicants with decisions within four to six weeks after the application is submitted. This means you could hear back from these schools well before you hear from colleges with regular deadlines.

3. Impact on Admission Odds: Applying earlier in the cycle when there are more spots available can potentially increase your chances of being accepted.

The list of schools that utilize rolling admissions is quite extensive; a few notable ones include Penn State, the University of Pittsburgh, Michigan State, and the University of Arizona. However, policies can change from year to year, so it's always best to check the admissions webpage of each college that you're considering.

When planning your application timeline, I would urge you to still aim for completing your applications as soon as possible, even if the schools you're interested in have rolling admissions. This will ensure that you're considered in the earliest rounds, while there are more spots available. Plus, you'll have the added benefit of receiving your decision earlier!