When it comes to college applications, timing can be everything. One way to maintain peace of mind during the college admissions process is by applying to a college with rolling admissions. 

WHAT IS ROLLING ADMISSIONS?

Rolling admissions means that a college will accept and review applications continuously until it has filled its class. The most common ways to apply to college are regular decision, early action, and early decision. The most significant difference between these plans and rolling admissions is that decisions are released on the same day for RD, EA, and ED, but for rolling admissions, applications are evaluated as they are submitted, and decisions are released every week – on a rolling basis. So, if five students apply through rolling admissions, they could receive decisions on five different days, but if they applied for RD, EA, or ED, they’d receive decisions on the same day.

Recently, some schools started releasing decisions on more than one date, but these decisions are still released in batches. 

Another important distinction is that rolling admissions is similar to regular decision and early action in that acceptances are not binding. This differs from early decisions, which are binding, and students are expected to enroll if accepted. 

For students juggling senior year classes and extracurricular activities, the flexibility of a rolling admissions school can alleviate the pressure of the college application season. Including a rolling admissions school on your college list can give you an early acceptance, ensuring you will attend college when the time comes.

LESS STRESS AND MORE FLEXIBILITY

One advantage of rolling admissions is the quick turnaround time. Receiving an acceptance early allows students and families to begin planning for things like housing and financial aid and enjoy the relief of receiving an acceptance early in the process. It also means that students can balance their workload when applying to colleges with traditional deadlines. 

Applying early in the rolling admissions cycle may boost the chance of acceptance. Since spots are filled on a first-come, first-served basis, early applications can sometimes provide an advantage. Submitting applications early may also give access to financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Waiting until later in the admissions cycle may result in more competition for available spots, scholarships, and resources.

Conversely, rolling admissions can allow you to submit applications later. Perhaps you need additional time to assemble a robust application or are unhappy with your original college list. 

COLLEGES WITH ROLLING ADMISSIONS

These are some, not all, of the colleges with a rolling admissions application option:

• Albion College
• Arizona State University
• Bradley University
• Creighton University
• Dillard University
• Drake University
• Eckerd College
• East Carolina University 
• Florida Institute of Technology
• Georgia Southern University
• Hawaii Pacific University
• Hofstra University
• Hope College
• Illinois State University
• Indiana State University
• Iowa State University
• Jacksonville University
• Kent State University
• Kettering University
• Loyola University Chicago
• Milwaukee School of Engineering
• Missouri State University
• New England College
• New Jersey Institute of Technology
• Northern Michigan University
• Oakland University
• Ole Miss – The University of Mississippi
• Oregon State University
• Pennsylvania State University
• Regis University
• Ringling College of Art and Design
• Rutgers University
• South Carolina State University
• Stetson University
• Truman State University
• The University of Alabama
• The University of Alabama – Huntsville
• The University of Arizona
• The University of Oklahoma
• The University of Utah
• University of Akron
• University of Arkansas
• University of Central Florida
• University of Iowa
• University of Kansas
• University of Kentucky
• University of La Verne
• University of Louisville
• University of Maine
• University of Missouri
• University of Nevada – Las Vegas
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Portland
• University of South Dakota
• University of Tulsa
• University of West Florida
• University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
• University of Wyoming
• West Virginia University
• Western Colorado University
• Western Kentucky University

Having a rolling admissions school on your college list can be a strategic decision that provides a sense of security in what can be a chaotic process.