Looking for Clarity on Rolling Decision

Hey everyone, I'm sort of stressing about college applications... I keep hearing about this term, 'Rolling Decision'. I’m not really sure what it means. Can someone give me a rundown on what 'rolling decision' is, and why it might be a good or bad option for me?

Absolutely, happy to help clarify this for you! Rolling Decision is an admissions process where colleges review applications as they are submitted and make decisions on an ongoing basis. Basically, instead of having a single hard deadline (like Early Decision or Regular Decision), you can submit your application anytime during a window period set by the school. These periods can range from early fall to late spring.

This model can work for your benefit in a couple of ways. First, it's a way of applying early without the binding commitment associated with Early Decision. Second, because there's no specific deadline (aside from the final cut-off), you have a bit more flexibility with when you submit your application.

There's also a perceived advantage that applying early in a rolling cycle could increase your chances of admission. Since decisions are made as applications come in, the idea is that there are more spots available earlier in the process.

On the flip side, the potential downside to rolling decision is that spots can fill up quite quickly. If you wait until late in the cycle to apply, there may be fewer spots available, which could possibly lower your chances of acceptance.

While these factors can influence your decision, remember that whether you apply early or later in the cycle, the most important thing is to submit the best application you can. Quality is always more important than timing. Hope this helps!