Explaining college rolling admissions

Can someone break down what rolling admissions mean for college applications? I'm curious about how it affects the timeline for submitting applications and making decisions. Are there any key strategies for applying to these types of schools?

Certainly, I'd be happy to break down rolling admissions for you. In a rolling admissions process, a college reviews applications as they come in and makes decisions on an ongoing basis. This is significantly different from traditional or fixed admissions, where colleges wait until all applications are submitted by a certain deadline and then review them all together.

In terms of the timeline, colleges with rolling admissions typically open their application window early and close it late. So you may be able to submit your application in the late summer or early fall of your senior year in high school, and you might still be able to apply in late spring. That said, it's usually best practice to apply sooner rather than later. Since acceptance decisions are made continuously, earlier applications have the advantage of more available spots.

As far as receiving a decision, colleges with rolling admissions often send out acceptances and rejections in a few weeks to a few months after receiving them, meaning you may hear back well before traditional decision dates in the spring.

For strategies - because colleges use rolling admissions review and accept applications as soon as they receive them, applying as early as you can is usually a smart move. The earlier you apply, the less competition you may have and the more openings there still might be.

Also, keep in mind that some schools with rolling admissions might still have a priority deadline. By this deadline, students may need to apply to be considered for certain scholarships, or for specific programs that have limited spots.

In summary, rolling admissions can give you more flexibility when you submit your application and potentially hear back faster on a decision, but it's generally still best to apply as early as possible to maximize your chances.