Trying to Understand the Concept of Rolling Decision

I've been hearing about a 'rolling decision' admissions process, and I'm a bit lost. If someone could explain what it means, how it works, and if it has any advantages, I'd appreciate it.

Rolling decision is an admissions process where applications are reviewed as they are received, rather than after a set deadline. Essentially, the sooner you apply, the sooner you can receive an admission decision. This process continues until all available places in the class are filled. Some schools could take several weeks to give a decision after application submission, while others may take a few months.

The main advantage with rolling decision is that it can often expedite the admissions process. By submitting your application early, you'll be among the first to receive an admissions decision. It also allows more flexibility in terms of when you can apply. Unlike Early Decision or Early Action, which have rigid deadlines, rolling admission gives you a larger window of time.

However, keep in mind that while the flexibility of rolling decision is great, it's often advantageous to apply earlier, as spots in the class can fill up. Even though a school might technically accept applications until a late date, the longer you wait, the more competitive it may become due to fewer spots remaining. So while there's more time, it's still always a good idea to complete your application as soon as you're ready and satisfied with its quality.

One more thing to note is that just like other admission decisions, financial aid offerings might be more generous early on and get more limited as the process goes forward. So an early submission might also work in your favor financially.

Some examples of schools with rolling admissions include Penn State, University of Pittsburgh, and Indiana University. Always check with the specific schools you're interested in applying to ensure you have the most accurate admissions information.