Hi there! I'm a bit stressed about college and I'm curious about rolling admissions. What's the usual deadline for colleges with this type of application, if there is one? Thanks in advance!
Hello! Applying to colleges with rolling admissions can be a bit less stressful than applying to those with regular deadlines, since they don't have a specific date by which you must apply. In general, colleges that use rolling admissions review applications as they come in, and offer admissions decisions on a continuous basis until they fill their incoming class.
There isn't a one-size-fits-all deadline, since the time it takes to fill the class can vary from year to year, but many schools with rolling admissions might have priority deadlines that you should try to meet to increase your chances of being admitted and receiving financial aid or housing benefits.
A "typical" priority deadline for colleges with rolling admissions would usually be in the late fall, around November, at the earliest, and in April or May at the latest. However, some institutions might have deadlines extending into the summer. It is essential to check each college's specific deadline to ensure you don't miss the opportunity to apply. And don't hesitate to reach out to the admissions office directly if you're unclear about the timeline.
Keep in mind that the earlier you submit your application, the better your chances are of being accepted, because space is still available in the class, and you are also more likely to be able to take advantage of resources that can be limited, like on-campus housing and financial aid. So, it's a good idea to treat any rolling admissions priority deadlines like regular, strict deadlines, and in general to submit your application as early as possible.
If you want to learn more about how to navigate rolling admissions, some of the pros and cons of this policy, and popular schools that use rolling admissions, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/what-is-rolling-admissions/. Best of luck with your college applications!
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.