Rolling Admissions Definition & Benefits

Rolling Admission: How It Works

Navigating admissions deadlines can be confusing with the wide variety of options available. Whether you are getting ready to apply to colleges this year or gathering information to be prepared for the future, you’ve come to the right place! Time to get familiar with rolling admissions. Let's dive into the details so you'll be ready for what’s to come.

What is Rolling Admission?

You might have heard the term rolling admission and been curious what that meant. Basically, rolling admission allows students to submit their application during a specified window, and the college or university will give them an answer within a few weeks rather than after an application deadline. Your application will be reviewed as it “rolls in,” hence the term rolling admission. 

How Does Rolling Admission Work?

Start by confirming if the school or university you want to apply to uses a rolling admissions system. Sometimes they provide rolling admissions after typical admissions deadlines, other times it’s available for a longer admission period.

After confirming the rolling admissions window, you will apply the same way you normally would. The only difference is the speed at which you’ll hear back. Typically, you’ll receive a response within 4-6 weeks after you submit your application, but some schools respond quicker than that. This can be beneficial if it’s your top pick, you want to know you have at least one acceptance, or you’re deciding at the last minute to attend school. 

Keep in mind that although you may have a longer window to get your application in, it may be to your advantage to submit early. Spots can still fill up quickly since applications and decisions are rolling in continuously. 

Regular Decision vs. Rolling Admission

There are a few key differences between regular decision and rolling admission. Regular decision will have a strict application deadline whereas rolling admission usually does not have a hard application deadline. Instead, they will keep accepting applications until spots are full. Regular decision admissions collect all applications and then review and provide decision updates after the deadline. Rolling admission will review and make decisions as applications roll in. 

Early Action vs. Rolling Admission

Early action also has key differences from rolling admission. Early action means you submit your application for an early deadline to receive an answer sooner than students who apply by the regular registration deadline. This typically means applying in November or December. However, all students who apply for early action are compared at the same time (after the deadline) rather than when they submitted, as they would be for rolling admission.

Benefits of Rolling Admission

It’s hard to overlook the benefits rolling admission offers, especially for students on the fence about attending college after high school.

  1. Getting an answer quickly – The waiting period can sometimes be the most stressful part. Instead of potentially waiting months to hear back from the college or university, the response period is just a few weeks. 
  2. Having extra time to submit your application – Because there is no set deadline, you have some extra time to balance the number of applications you need to complete. You can focus on those that must be submitted by a certain deadline first. 
  3. Potentially less competition – Since applications are reviewed as they are submitted, you won’t likely be compared to the same number of applicants at that given point.

Disadvantages of Rolling Admission

Rolling admission may have positives, but there are a few key points to consider as you plan for college admissions. 

  1. Spots can fill up quickly – There is still a chance there isn’t a spot for you if you wait to submit, even as a great applicant. If many students submit sooner, offers will be made quickly. 
  2. You could miss out on scholarships – If you submit later, you may miss out on the school deadlines for scholarships or other financial aid opportunities. Review the admissions websites to learn more about their cutoffs. 
  3. Schools may prioritize typical admissions deadlines – Some schools offer typical admission deadlines, such as regular decision and early action deadlines, in addition to rolling admissions. In those cases, priority still may be given to admitting those typical applicants. Schools may only have a few remaining spots to fill for certain majors or programs with rolling admission. 

How To Make the Most of Rolling Admission

Ready to start preparing for rolling admissions? Here’s how:

1. Take the ACT

Plan to take the ACT during the spring of your junior year, if possible. It’s a great idea to have a score ready to submit for scholarships and college admissions. Although not required at many schools, submitting a test score can strengthen your application since it provides additional context to your abilities.

If you test and decide not to submit it with your application, you will still have a resource that can help guide your decision on college majors, careers that match your skills, and scores for scholarships. 

Get your test optional admissions questions answered, or start diving into free ACT prep with our student resources. 

2. Keep Track of Deadlines and Materials

As you prepare for the college application season, stay organized with a detailed spreadsheet of all the schools you plan to apply to. Note when applications open and are due, the financial aid deadline, state or school financial aid deadlines (which may differ), and all the materials you will need to include in your application, including letters of recommendation and essays. Set deadlines for yourself so that you aren’t surprised or rushed.

Remember, it’s better to submit your rolling admissions applications sooner before spots are full. 

3. Take Your Application Seriously

You should spend the same amount of time on your rolling admissions application as you do all the rest. Although you’ll receive a decision sooner, they are still looking to see if you are a good fit for their school. Personalize your essay and application, and showcase why you would be a great addition.  

4. Make Final Decisions

You may hear back from the rolling admissions school(s) sooner than the rest, but that doesn’t mean you have to accept sooner. In most cases you have until National Decision Day, May 1, to respond. Review all your options, including the financial aid packages from each school you're admitted to, before making your final decision. 

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