Is Rolling Admission Bad?

Rolling admission is an option that many colleges and universities offer. It can be a good way to reduce stress for students who are anxious about the college application process.

However, it can also be a bad idea for some students. If you’re not sure whether rolling admission is right for you, here are some things to consider.

1. It’s more competitive

One of the biggest drawbacks of rolling admission is that it’s more competitive than other forms of admission. This is because colleges assess applications as they come in, rather than sending out acceptance letters all at once. This means that students who submit their application earlier will have an advantage over those who wait until later in the year.

The key to getting into a college with rolling admission is to apply early. Some colleges, such as Penn State, maintain a priority application deadline and give students greater consideration for admissions decisions when they submit their applications by the specified date.

Some colleges with rolling admission also have an Early Decision process, where you commit to a school and withdraw any other applications before the college decides whether to admit you. These processes are generally not binding, but they can help ensure that your decision is based on the one school that you want to attend and not on other schools on your list.

Another benefit of applying early to a college with rolling admission is that it will give you more time to work on your application and gather all of the required documents. This will allow you to avoid the stress of meeting application deadlines and submit a strong application.

A final advantage of applying early to a college with rolling admittance is that you can receive an admissions decision much sooner than you would from other forms of admission. This is especially helpful if you’re hoping to qualify for housing and financial aid.

In addition to this, colleges with rolling admission will often fill their incoming classes on a continuing basis, meaning that there are more spots available earlier in the application process than those who wait until the end of the application window. This can significantly increase your chances of getting accepted.

Finally, it is important to remember that rolling admission isn’t for everyone. Typically, this form of admission is reserved for more selective colleges and universities who are seeking to attract the best possible students.

Rolling admission is often a good choice for prospective students who are interested in attending a school with high standards and strong academic programs. However, it’s important to remember that this type of admission can be more stressful and expensive than other options. It’s also worth noting that many of these schools don’t have a set application deadline, so it’s important to plan ahead and prepare your application as early as possible.

2. It’s more stressful

Rolling admission is a process in which colleges accept applications on a rolling basis. This means that they consider your application as it comes in, and then make a decision after reviewing your documents. This is different than the more traditional admissions process, where colleges collect applications up until a deadline and then judge them all at once.

Colleges with rolling admission also typically review and respond to applications faster than schools with traditional application deadlines, says Zach Wielgus, a master college admissions counselor at IvyWise, an education consulting company. This is a big deal for students who are anxious about getting into their dream schools, and it can help relieve some of the stress that can come with waiting for admissions decisions.

Some colleges with rolling admissions will even offer priority deadlines, which give students who submit their applications before the specified date a better chance of getting a decision sooner than students who wait too long to apply. These priority deadlines can be especially useful for students who want to be considered for specific honors or accelerated programs, financial aid, or scholarships.

However, there are some drawbacks to rolling admission. First, because schools with rolling admissions typically don’t have a set deadline to accept applications, they may end up accepting more applicants than they can place in their incoming class. This means that if you are a high-performing student, you could end up applying to multiple rolling admission schools – and that can add up to a lot of extra stress for you as a prospective student.

Another downside to rolling admission is that it can be more competitive than other forms of admission. Because all applications are reviewed at the same time, you’re competing against a lot of other applicants for a limited number of spots. This is especially true for highly selective schools.

Ultimately, it’s still important to complete your application as thoroughly and honestly as possible. This is why it’s a good idea to check out the admissions policies for all of the schools you’re considering, and make sure they have rolling admission before you apply.

3. It’s more expensive

Rolling admission is a college admissions policy that allows students to apply to certain colleges and universities at any time. These colleges typically respond to applications much sooner than colleges that offer standard admissions.

There are some downsides to rolling admission, but there are also some advantages. For example, students can apply for college scholarships and receive them before other applicants have had a chance to apply, which can boost their chances of getting accepted.

Another benefit of rolling admission is that it can be a good way to save money on college costs. Most colleges with rolling admission policies allow students to submit their application as early as possible, which can help them reduce their tuition and housing costs.

However, the drawback is that the earlier you apply to these schools, the more competition you will have for the available slots. This can make it harder to get into your top choice school if there are already a few students ahead of you.

It can also be hard to predict when you will hear back from these schools, so it’s important to apply early if you want to maximize your chances of getting in. Even if you do hear back early, you’ll have to wait until the full admissions cycle is over before you receive an official acceptance or rejection.

If you’re applying to a college with a rolling admissions policy, you may need to take your SAT or ACT tests before the deadline. This can be a pain, but it’s essential for getting your scores in on time.

There are many ways to prepare for these tests, including taking practice tests and signing up for prep courses. You can also check with your school to see if they have any specific deadlines for taking the test and then submitting the results.

The most important thing is to keep your application as complete as possible, and to ensure that you have all the necessary documents on hand. It’s also a good idea to get started on your essays as soon as you can.

4. It’s more unpredictable

When you hear the term “rolling admission,” you may think that it means a more carefree college application process. But the truth is that rolling admission is more unpredictable than other forms of admission, including regular decision and early action.

One of the biggest problems with rolling admission is that you won’t know whether or not you’ve been accepted until the school actually announces it. This can be frustrating, especially if you’ve spent months working on your application but haven’t heard back yet.

Another issue with rolling admission is that you won’t have a firm date to start taking the SAT or ACT. While this isn’t a problem if you have enough time to get your test scores ready, it can be a big hassle if you’re rushing.

Luckily, there are ways to prepare for rolling admission that won’t cause you any extra stress. You can take a practice SAT or ACT, or sign up for a test prep course that will give you a head start on your exam.

You can also start rewriting your essay before the school opens its application period, which will help you focus on your best work. And it’s always a good idea to keep your application updated throughout the process, regardless of how fast you’re moving.

However, if you haven’t had a chance to review your essays and make changes before the rolling admission deadline, you might end up having to write an entirely new essay. This can be frustrating, especially if your grades or extracurricular activities have changed significantly since you first applied.

If you’ve never used a rolling admissions policy, it’s important to understand how it works so you can prepare for it properly. The most important thing to remember is that you need to submit your complete application before the rolling admissions deadline.

Ideally, you’ll want to apply at least a couple of weeks before the deadline for your top choice colleges. Some schools with rolling admissions even have a priority deadline, which offers a higher acceptance rate for students who apply by that date.