What does rolling admission mean for colleges?

I'm trying to understand the concept of rolling admissions. If a college has rolling admission, does that mean I can receive a decision earlier or later than the regular schedule? Does this apply to most programs, like computer science?

Rolling admission at a university essentially means that the school will review and respond to applications as they're received, rather than waiting until a specific deadline to evaluate all applications simultaneously. This process can expedite the decision-making period, as schools will often send out acceptance letters as soon as they have reviewed an individual application and decided to admit the student.

In general, applying to a college with rolling admissions could result in a response either earlier or later, depending on when you apply. If you submit your application early in the cycle, you're likely to hear back sooner. Conversely, if you apply closer to the final deadline, your response may come later.

Additionally, the timing of your application could indirectly affect the competitive nature of the admissions process. In the early stages of rolling admissions, acceptance rates could be slightly higher as there is more space available in the freshman class. As more students are admitted and spots fill up, the process might become more competitive.

As for your second question, rolling admission tends to be a school-wide policy and would typically apply to all programs, including computer science, unless otherwise specified by the college. Each school's policy can vary, and some universities might have different admissions timelines for specific programs or departments. Therefore, I recommend checking the details on the college's website or getting in touch with their admissions office for the most accurate information.