Understanding Admissions Deadlines—What's Rolling Admission?

Hey there, I'm seeing a lot of colleges with 'rolling admissions' deadlines. Can someone help me understand what rolling admission means exactly? When should I ideally apply if a college has a rolling deadline?

Rolling admission is a college's policy of accepting applications for admission throughout the year and making decisions on these applications as they come in, rather than waiting to review all applications after a hard deadline. This process permits candidates to submit their applications any time over a large window, typically beginning in the early fall and finishing in the spring (or until all spots have been filled). It means that the sooner you apply, the sooner you'll hear back regarding your acceptance status.

Ideally, it is beneficial to apply early if the college uses rolling admission. While you have the choice to apply any time within the application window, note that spaces might start filling up once the university initiates the admission review process. Hence, if you apply later in the game, there may be fewer opportunities.

A rule of thumb would be to submit your application by the priority deadline if it's provided, or no later than late fall to early winter. This also ensures that you have ample time to plan your next steps, whether this involves understanding the financial aid package, arranging details like housing and enrollment in classes, or considering other college options if necessary.

Remember, even standardized testing dates, financial aid deadlines, and other components of the application process are dependent on when you submit your application, so it's better to plan ahead. The early bird gets the worm, as they say!