Understanding rolling admission for college

Hey! I've been hearing about rolling admission for college applications. Can someone please explain what rolling admission is and how it's different from regular decision? Thanks!

Hello! Rolling admission is an application process where colleges review and make decisions on applications as they are received, rather than waiting for a specific deadline. This means that admission decisions are made on an ongoing basis, and colleges continue to review applications until all available spots in the incoming class are filled. Once you submit your application, you can usually expect to hear back from the college within a few weeks or a couple of months, rather than having to wait until a specific decision release date.

In contrast, regular decision has a specific deadline for submitting applications, and all applications are reviewed together after that deadline. Admissions committees carefully evaluate all applications and make their decisions at once. Decisions for regular decision are usually released on a set date, typically in the spring (usually around March or April).

One advantage of rolling admission is that it can give you an early admission decision, which may relieve some stress and allow you to plan accordingly. This is especially helpful if you have a clear top-choice school and want to know your admission status as soon as possible. Additionally, since colleges review applications as they are received, applying early in the rolling admission window might be beneficial since there could be more spots available at the beginning of the process.

However, keep in mind that not all colleges offer rolling admission, so it's essential to research each college's specific application policies and deadlines. Also, remember that financial aid and housing options might still be limited, so regardless of when you receive an admission decision, be sure to complete all necessary steps for securing financial aid and housing as early as possible.

In summary, rolling admission is an ongoing application process and offers the advantage of receiving an admission decision earlier than regular decision, whereas regular decision has a set deadline and specific decision release date. Make sure you're aware of each college's application process, and good luck with your applications!