What is Rolling Decision?

Hi, I've been hearing a lot about something called Rolling Decision when applying to colleges. Can someone please explain what it is and how it works? Is it better than Regular Decision?

Rolling Decision is a type of application process where colleges review and make admission decisions on applications as they receive them, rather than waiting for a specific deadline. This means that once you submit your application, you can expect to receive a decision within a few weeks to a couple of months after submission, depending on the college's processing time and volume of applications.

Rolling Decision has some advantages over Regular Decision. Firstly, it is a more flexible process where applicants can apply earlier or later than the typical early and regular decision deadlines; however, it is still important to pay attention to individual college deadlines to ensure your application is considered.

Secondly, since colleges review applications in the order they're received, the earlier you submit your application, the more spots are available, and the higher your chances might be since the applicant pool is smaller. Moreover, this might also give you more time to prepare and submit applications to other schools if you receive a decision early enough.

However, Rolling Decision is not necessarily better than Regular Decision as a whole. The suitability of Rolling Decision depends on your individual needs and preferences. If you have a specific top-choice school that offers Early Decision or Early Action, you might want to apply through those processes, as they typically have higher acceptance rates. Rolling Decision can be an excellent option if you're unsure about your top choices and want to start hearing back from schools sooner to better evaluate your options.

In summary, Rolling Decision is an application process where colleges review and make decisions as applications come in, offering a more flexible timeline for students. However, whether it's better than Regular Decision depends on your personal preferences, your top-choice schools, and your overall college application strategy.