Does UMass Amherst offer rolling admissions?

I'm planning my college applications and wondered if UMass Amherst has a rolling admissions process. How flexible are they with deadlines compared to regular admissions, and does applying early give me a better shot at acceptance?

UMass Amherst does not use rolling admissions. Instead, they have a system of Early Action and Regular Decision application deadlines. Early Action applications are due by November 5, and students who apply by this date will receive an admission decision by the end of January. This method does not bind you to attend if accepted but allows you to show a heightened interest in the school.

Regular Decision applications are due by January 15, with admissions decisions usually released by the end of March. This option is often used by students who need a bit more time to polish their applications and supplement materials, or those who only decided later in the application cycle to apply to UMass Amherst.

As for whether applying early gives you a better shot at acceptance, it can depend – but generally, yes, applying Early Action can give you a slight advantage. This is because applying early may suggest to the school that you have a strong interest in attending. Don't forget, however, that the overall strength of your application (grades, extracurricular involvement, essays, etc.) will still be the primary factor in admissions decisions.