Rolling admission is a policy used by many colleges to admit freshmen into undergraduate programs. It is unique, flexible, and offers potential students a great opportunity in securing a spot in their preferred institution of higher learning. But what does rolling admission actually mean and how does it function? This article will elucidate all these aspects, helping you fully understand the rolling admission system.
The phrase ‘rolling admission’ is derived from the process itself – think of it as a wheel that keeps ‘rolling’ in new applicants. Unlike regular admission processes that have strict deadlines, the rolling admission process doesn’t have a set deadline for applicants to submit their applications. Schools with this type of admission will keep accepting and reviewing applications until all spots are filled.
Typically, under the rolling admissions policy, the college reviews applications as they arrive and makes decisions on an ongoing or ‘rolling’ basis. After the review, an applicant can generally expect to hear the response, which could be an acceptance, a refusal, or deferral, within a few weeks from submission.
This rolling system can be less stressful for students because they’re not competing with thousands of other students who all submitted their applications at the same time. It provides them more flexibility with regard to when they can submit their application. It also means that the sooner a student applies, the sooner they’ll know their admission status, and thus they can plan their next steps earlier.
Furthermore, in many rolling admission colleges, the acceptance rate tends to be higher earlier in the admission cycle because there are more spots available. Therefore, applying early in the rolling admission process often translates to better chances of acceptance.
However, before jumping in headfirst, there are some things to be aware of. Although rolling admissions offer flexibility, they can be tricky. With no set deadline, it’s easy for students to procrastinate and miss out on applying early. Additionally, even though colleges might accept applications for a longer period, some specific programs, scholarships, or forms of financial aid may still have deadlines.
Also, remember that while some colleges have rolling admissions, others have “priority deadlines,” which act similar to regular deadlines. If you miss this date, the college will still accept your application, but you might have less chance of getting in.
In conclusion, rolling admission is a flexible schooling admission process that allows students to apply to colleges at various times in the year. It allows quick response times, early planning for admitted students, and potentially higher chances of gaining admission if applied early. While it seems all relaxed and flexible, students need to be well-aware and cautious of procrastination and other unique aspects of the rolling admission system to benefit fully from it.