I'm planning on applying to the University of Southern Maine and they have rolling admissions. Can anyone tell me how this affects the timeline for applying and hearing back? Any personal experiences would be appreciated!
In a rolling admissions process, universities review applications as they come in and make decisions on a continual basis. It's not like Early Decision or Regular Decision, where there's a hard deadline by which you must apply, and then all decisions are released on a specific date. Instead, the University of Southern Maine, (like other schools with rolling admissions) begins to review applications in late fall and continues until the fall semester begins.
The major benefit of rolling admissions is its flexibility, you can apply at any time during the admissions period. However, it's still a good idea to apply as early as you can. The reason being, universities with rolling admissions often have a limited number of spots and as they fill up, admissions can become more competitive.
Once you apply, the turnaround time to hear back is generally quicker compared to schools with more traditional admissions timelines. Typically, you can expect a decision within 4-6 weeks of applying. This can certainly reduce the stress of waiting to hear back, especially if you're eager to start planning your future.
Remember to keep an eye on the school's website or contact the admissions office if you have any questions or concerns about the process. This way, you'll stay updated with any specific dates or deadlines for the University of Southern Maine.
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