I've read that some US universities have rolling admissions. I'm curious if there are any advantages to applying to these schools versus those with set deadlines. Does it improve my chances or the speed of decisions?
Indeed, there are a few potential benefits to applying to universities with rolling admissions in the U.S.
1. You receive a decision quite rapidly: With rolling admissions, the decision timeframe is often quicker than that of regular decision colleges. Therefore, you can often get your decisions weeks to months earlier than schools with set deadlines.
2. You have a wider window of opportunity to apply: Unlike colleges with strict deadlines, rolling admissions colleges allow applications to be submitted anytime within a large window. This can be especially beneficial if you miss deadlines for other colleges or if you only decide later in the year that you want to attend college.
3. Increased chances: If you apply early in the rolling admissions cycle, you might have a slightly greater chance of being admitted. This is because the college has not yet filled its incoming class.
That being said, rolling admissions should not be seen as an easier route to acceptance. The admission standards are not lower, and the university's available seats can fill up quickly, so it's still important to submit all application materials as early as possible in the application window. Plus, keep in mind college-specific aspects like financial aid and housing, which may be first-come-first-serve, and thus more beneficial the earlier you apply.
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.