College Admissions Process

<p>When colleges review applications, do they stop after all spots are filled (If all spots are filled, and there are 1000 more applications, are those ignored?)</p>

<p>Essentially, is it to your disadvantage to send your application later?</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>I don’t think anyplace operates quite like that. Here’s the scoop.</p>

<p>Some colleges and universities practice what’s called “rolling admissions.” They review applications in batches, more or less as they come in. When they see students they’d like to have they accept them. At these colleges, there are more places available early on, and there can be an advantage in applying early.</p>

<p>But most colleges don’t work that way. Most colleges have specific deadlines for early and regular applications, and they don’t review the applications until after that deadline has passed. So at those colleges, they’re not going to give away all their slots before they read your application. Or if they do, as it was recently described in a story about Amherst College on National Public Radio ([Behind</a> The Scenes: How Do You Get Into Amherst? : NPR](<a href=“Behind The Scenes: How Do You Get Into Amherst? : NPR”>Behind The Scenes: How Do You Get Into Amherst? : NPR)), they go back and take some folders out of the “admit” pile before they send out any letters.</p>