How does rolling admissions work when applying to college?

I'm a high school junior starting to think about applying to college. I've heard of rolling admissions, but I'm unsure how it works. Could someone explain the process and its pros and cons compared to regular deadlines? Any advice would be helpful!

Rolling admissions is a unique application process that differs quite a bit from regular decision and early action/decision deadlines. Colleges that use rolling admissions typically start accepting applications in the early fall and continue to accept them until all spots in the class are filled. Rather than waiting until all applications are in, admissions officers review them and make decisions on an ongoing basis.

Typically, it takes about four to six weeks to get a decision once your application is complete. This fast turnaround time is a significant advantage of rolling admissions. If you apply early, you might get your acceptance letter before some of your peers have even sent in their applications.

Moreover, it offers flexibility for students who might have missed regular decision deadlines. You can apply when you are ready, and in some cases, this can even be late into the spring. This can also be a good way to improve acceptance chances at certain schools, as earlier applications may face less competition.

However, this doesn’t mean you should apply at the last minute either. Spaces fill up, and the longer you wait, the fewer spaces there are. So while there isn't a set end-date, applying earlier might increase your chances essentially turning into a 'first come first serve' situation.

Compared to regular decision deadlines where everyone receives an answer at the same time, rolling admissions can also relieve some stress as you could potentially secure a spot at a college early in your senior year.

One thing to note though: financial aid and housing choices may also be awarded on a rolling basis, so the sooner you apply, the more access you might have to resources.

Remember, each college has its own admissions process, so always check with the specific schools you're interested in to understand their individual procedures and timelines.