Rolling Enrollment: Pros and Cons?

Hi guys, some colleges I'm keen on have rolling enrollment and I'm trying to figure out if it's a good option for me. Can anyone shed some light on the pros and cons of rolling enrollment?

Sure, happy to provide some insight!

The most significant plus of rolling admissions is that it tends to be less stressful than the traditional admissions process. There's no set deadline for you to rush towards, and you can take your time to create a strong application. Another advantage is that you'll usually hear back relatively quickly, often within 4-6 weeks, so it can offer peace of mind knowing where you stand early on. Finally, applying earlier in a rolling admissions cycle can offer a slight advantage. There are usually more spaces and scholarships available early in the cycle, so your chances of admission (and financial aid) can be better the earlier you apply.

However, there are also a few potential drawbacks. One of the most common misconceptions about rolling admissions is that you can wait until the very last minute to submit your application. While there's technically no deadline, waiting too long can still reduce your chances. As earlier applicants accept their admissions offers, fewer spaces may be available. You also need to be cautious about not prioritising rolling admissions schools over any regular decision, Early Action, or Early Decision schools. The latter have fixed deadlines, so you don’t want those applications to suffer because you’re trying to submit a rolling application first.

One last thing to keep in mind with rolling admissions is that these schools may continue to accept applications until they're full. If the incoming class fills up quickly, it could mean that the admissions window closes earlier than you had aniticipated.

Hope this clarifies and helps guide your decision-making process!