I'm looking at the University of St. Thomas for my college applications and noticed they offer rolling admissions. How does this impact the application process? Should I aim to apply as early as possible?
Rolling admissions is a policy that allows colleges like the University of St. Thomas to review applications as they arrive, rather than after a set deadline. This means that admissions decisions are made on an ongoing basis until the school has filled all its spots in the incoming class.
In terms of how it impacts your application process, you often can hear back sooner from a school with a rolling admissions policy, as they don't wait until after a deadline to begin reviewing applications. This can be a great benefit, as it can give you a sense of security earlier in the application process if you are accepted.
As for when to apply, the sooner the better is generally a good rule of thumb for schools with rolling admissions. Since decisions are made continuously, spots can fill up. Therefore, applying earlier can potentially increase your chances of acceptance, as there may be more vacancies when the admissions committee reviews your application. Even though there's no hard deadline, you still want to submit your application early enough to ensure that there are spaces available.
That said, it's critical to ensure your application is strong and well-crafted. So, while aiming for an early submission is beneficial, you shouldn't rush your application at the expense of quality. Remember to carefully review all elements of your application before submitting.
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