What's rolling admission?

I've heard the term 'rolling admission' before but I'm not exactly sure what it means. Can someone explain how the process works in college admissions?

Rolling admission is a college application process that differs from the traditional system with fixed deadlines. Instead of having a specific deadline by which all applications must be submitted, colleges with rolling admission evaluate applications as they are received. This means that the evaluation process starts as soon as an application is complete and sent in, and decisions are typically sent out within a few weeks after submission.

There are several advantages to this system. First, it allows students to apply to colleges at their own pace. If a student finishes their application early, they can submit it and potentially receive an admission decision sooner. Secondly, it may allow students to keep applying to other colleges even after they have received acceptance letters from some institutions. Lastly, applying early in the rolling admission process might lead to a slightly higher likelihood of acceptance, as fewer seats in the incoming class have been filled.

However, there are also some limitations to rolling admission. For one, some colleges with rolling admission may still have deadlines for financial aid or scholarship applications, so it's essential to be aware of these dates when applying. Additionally, as time passes and more students are admitted, available spots become more limited, potentially making admission more competitive later in the process.

It's important to research each college's specific approach to rolling admission, as individual institutions may have unique guidelines. Keep track of important dates for financial aid, scholarships, and housing since these may still have fixed deadlines even if the overall college application process follows a rolling timeline.