What Is Rolling Admissions and How Does It Work?

What Is Rolling Admissions and How Does It Work?

Rolling admissions is a type of admissions process used by many colleges and universities. Unlike traditional admissions processes that have a set deadline for applications and a definitive acceptance date, rolling admissions allows students to submit their applications within a broad window of time and receive their acceptance decision within a few weeks to a few months.

How does rolling admissions work? In a rolling admissions process, schools will review and make decisions on applications as they are received, rather than waiting until a specific deadline to review all applications at once. This means that students can apply at any time during the admissions cycle and have their application reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis. As a result, some students may receive their acceptance decision sooner than they would with a traditional admissions process.

One of the key benefits of rolling admissions is that it gives students more flexibility in their college application timeline. Rather than feeling pressured to submit all of their applications by a specific deadline, students can take their time and apply to schools on a rolling basis. This can be especially helpful for students who are still undecided about where they want to attend college or who may be applying to a mix of rolling and non-rolling admissions schools.

Another advantage of rolling admissions is that it can give students a better chance of getting accepted. Since schools with rolling admissions processes review applications as they are received, they often have a longer admissions window and may have more spots available in their incoming class. This can be particularly beneficial for students who may not have met the early deadline for a highly competitive school but still want to be considered for admission.

However, it’s important to note that rolling admissions does not mean that schools accept students without considering their qualifications. Admissions committees will still review each application holistically, taking into account factors such as GPA, test scores, extracurricular activities, and essays. In some cases, schools may still have a minimum GPA or test score requirement that students must meet in order to be considered for admission.

In conclusion, rolling admissions is a flexible and efficient admissions process that allows students to apply to colleges and universities at various times throughout the admissions cycle. By understanding how rolling admissions works and taking advantage of its benefits, students can increase their chances of getting accepted to the school of their choice.