Do colleges send acceptance letters all at once?

Hey guys, just wondering here. Do colleges send out acceptance letters all at once, or do they release decisions over a period of time? I've heard about rolling admissions, but what about for those with specific decision release dates?

Hey there! Colleges have different ways of releasing their decisions. They may either release them all at once, or in batches over a certain window of time.

For schools with a specific decision release date, decisions are typically released all at once on that date. This is the case for most schools with Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision deadlines. On the specified date, colleges typically send out emails in the evening with a link to their admissions portal, where students will find their decision. Keep in mind that timing may be slightly different for each school or even each year. Also, because the emails are sent out in batches, you may receive your decision at a slightly different time from your friends, but still within the same day.

For schools with rolling admissions, decisions are generally released in batches over a longer period of time – often within a few weeks of the application submission. Colleges with this process review applications as they receive them, and make admissions decisions on an ongoing basis, so you may receive your decision earlier than someone who applies later in the cycle.

In either case, it's important to closely monitor your email and the college's admissions portal to keep track of your application status. Good luck with your applications!