Is applying to colleges with rolling admissions a good strategy?

Does anyone have experience applying to colleges with rolling admissions? I'm trying to figure out if I should apply to some of these schools early or mix them with regular decision options. Any tips or personal stories?

Applying to colleges with rolling admissions can indeed be advantageous. One of the biggest benefits of a rolling admissions policy is the flexibility it provides. Unlike regular decision, which has a hard deadline, rolling admissions allows you to apply at almost any point during the application cycle. This flexibility can be great if you're still deciding on your college list or want to add a few more safety or match schools to your application list.

However, just because you can apply at any time doesn't mean you should wait to submit your application. Schools with rolling admissions usually review applications in the order they receive them, often starting in the early fall. Applying early in the cycle can improve your chances of admittance since there are more spots open. By the time the traditional application deadlines roll around, many of the spots may be filled.

While this strategy doesn't guarantee admission, it does often give students a bit of an edge because there is less competition earlier in the application cycle. Additionally, some schools with rolling admissions also make scholarship decisions on a rolling basis, so applying early might increase your financial aid opportunities as well.

So yes, if you are organized and able to get your application materials together promptly, applying to some colleges with rolling admissions early in your application process could be a smart strategy. Remember, though, that you still need to make sure any college you're applying to is a good fit for you acadically and socially.