Can anyone explain the rolling admissions process for college?

I'm trying to understand how rolling admissions works compared to regular admissions. Is it truly first-come, first-served, or is there more to it? How does it affect deadlines and decision timing? Any insights would be appreciated!

Sure, happy to explain! Rolling admissions is a type of admission process where a college reviews applications as they come in and typically makes admission decisions within a few weeks of receiving all the required documents. The application cycle generally opens in the early fall and may continue into the spring or even summer, depending on how quickly the school fills its spots.

However, it's important to understand rolling admissions isn't strictly a first-come, first-served process. Even though colleges with rolling admissions often review applications and issue decisions as they become complete, it doesn't mean earlier applications will always get accepted over later ones. Admission officers still look for a good fit between the student and the institution.

Also worth noting that while these colleges may not have a hard deadline, they do often have priority deadlines. Applying by these priority deadlines increases the students' chances of receiving consideration for certain academic programs or financial aid.

In terms of decision timing, applicants usually find out their admissions decision within a few weeks of submitting their completed application, rather than waiting until a set notification date. This model allows applicants to have their decision early in the year and take more time to plan housing, financial aid, or other necessary elements for college.

To make the most of rolling admissions, it's generally advisable to apply as early as possible in your senior year. Despite not having a specific deadline, submitting your application early increases your chances of admission, as a college's available spots could fill up as the admission cycle progresses.

In contrast, regular admissions typically have a specific deadline, everyone who applies by the deadline has their application reviewed at the same time, and decisions are released on a specific date. It's a different model and more of a waiting game since you don't hear back til the decision release date. Remember every institution's definition of 'rolling admission' may slightly vary, so always double-check each college's specific policy!