Early Vs. Regular Application

For the colleges that I will be applying to, the acceptance is “Rolling”. Though I am not sure what this means? I am not applying for early acceptance, I am applying for regular. Knowing that would it make a difference if I apply way before the regular deadline, or would it still put me in with all of the kids who get their applications in the day before the deadline? I am just not sure if there is a difference to the selecting committee of when my application comes in. If Rolling means that the earlier my application comes in the better my chances are then I would love to know that. So anyone that knows the answer to all of these, I would love to hear from you, and greatly appreciate it!

<p>There are three basic types of admissions: Early, Regular and Rolling. Rolling admissions are neither Early or Regular, but it comes closest to being like Regular. Under Regular admission, they collect all of the applications and then accept/deny everyone by a certain date (April 1st). Under Rolling admission, they look at everyone as the applications arrive and then decide accept/deny within a few weeks of when the application arrived. If you apply early, you find out earlier. I wouldn't say that there is an advantage in applying extremely early under Rolling admissions (except in finding out sooner), but there can be a disadvantage in applying too late because they may fill up.</p>

<p>Thank You! That helped a lot!!</p>

<p>in some rolling programs, more finaid maybe available to those that apply early.....ck with the school you are considering to see if it matters.</p>

<p>If you find that a school is rolling, complete the application A.S.A.P. As time goes on, the freshman class fills up and the competition gets stiffer. I recommend applying to a school with rolling admissions to ease your anxiety a little bit. I was a accepted to Florida State University in September of my senior year. I am not attending, but it sure was nice to know for sure that I was at least going somewhere that early. Some good rolling admissions schools are Michigan, Wisconsin, South Carolina, and Indiana. </p>

<p>Also, it's perfectly understandable why you would not want to bind yourself to a school with Early Decision, but there's no reason not to apply to Early Action. Some schools only have single-choice Early Action, but the majority have are have normal EA and it helps a lot of times to apply early, especially if you want to apply for certain scholarships after acceptance. Some good EA schools that people use are University of Miami, University of Chicago, Boston College, University of Georgia, Georgetown University, Fordham University, and Case Western.</p>

<p>One caveat to the above on rolling admissions. It is to your advantage to get your application in sooner rather than later with a rolling admission school but understand that means a "completed" application which includes not just the app itself but making sure offical test scores, high school transcript, and anything else required, such as recommendations, are sent. </p>

<p>Also be aware that some rolling admissions schools have only a modified version of it. For example, UIUC starts taking apps in Sep but does not start sending out any decisions until after November 15 and then it usually informs all the easy admits or declines and sits on a lot of apps for people in between until it gets closer to and even past the end date for apps (in Jan) so it can compare applicants and make decisions.</p>