Understanding regular vs. rolling admission differences?

I've come across both regular and rolling admissions and I'm not sure how they differ. Can someone explain what makes them distinct options?

Absolutely, let's break it down:

Regular Decision is often the most common method of admission. Many colleges have a Regular Decision deadline, usually in January. Admissions officers review all the applications received by the deadline and release decisions—accept, deny, or waitlist—all at once, typically in March or April. This process is competitive because all Regular Decision applicants are directly compared with each other.

On the other hand, Rolling Admission operates on an open-ended timeline. Colleges that use Rolling Admission typically open their application windows early (sometimes as early as the summer before senior year) and continue accepting and evaluating applications until they fill all available spots in their freshman class. Here, applications are reviewed as they're received, so decisions are made on a rolling basis. This means an applicant can receive a decision (acceptance, denial, or waitlist) typically within 4 to 6 weeks of applying.

While Early Decision and Early Action programs have specific deadlines, frequently in November, they offer the advantage of an early reply. With Rolling Admission, you essentially get a similar advantage—if you apply early, you might hear back sooner, offering peace of mind.

One key piece of advice for Rolling Admissions: the earlier you apply, the better. Since colleges accept or deny applicants on a rolling basis until the incoming class is full, seats can fill up rapidly. This makes it more competitive for those applying later in the process as there might be fewer available spots.

Remember: regardless of the type of admission, it's important to submit a polished and complete application. Don't rush your application just to submit it early. Quality is still the most important factor.

I hope this clarifies the distinct differences between Regular and Rolling admissions!