Rolling Admissions Dilemma - When to Apply?

Applying to College
1

<p>My daughter is applying to Quinnipiac University and they are on a rolling admissions plan. They start reviewing applications for the 2008 freshman class on November 15th. And, though she has everything else ready, my daughter wants to hold her application until after the completion of the first semester of her senior year in high school. She had some tough grades last year, so we’re hoping that between her excellent SATs and improving grades this year, she will have a shot at getting in.</p>

<p>However, I’ve heard that in a competitive rolling admissions environment like Quinnipiac’s, a lot of the admissions slots may get filled up early in the application review process. So, the dilemma is whether to submit the application with her transcripts complete only through last year (in order to get a shot while there are still numerous slots available) or whether she should wait until her improving first semester grades are in (and hope there are still enough slots left so that her application will have a good chance of acceptance).</p>

<p>It seems to me that it would be foolish for any college on a rolling admissions plan to fill all their seats with the first set of applicants to come in the door, though. Since colleges want to take the best candidates they can get, wouldn’t it be counterproductive to eliminate all ‘regular timeframe’ applicants? In so doing, wouldn’t they miss out on numerous applicants whose ‘qualifications’ trump those of a lot of earlier applicants?</p>

<p>Anyway, I guess my real question for anyone who may have some insight into the minds of college admissions folks is, when would be the ‘best’ time to apply to a competitive school with rolling admissions, early in November or after the first semester is complete? Again, keep in mind that the first semester grades of this year will be much better than some of the previous semesters of earlier years. So, the resume will look quite a bit better in January than it does now in November.</p>

<p>Any thoughts ? Thanks…</p>

2

<p>Apply as early as you can. It will only better your chances. If she is taking hard classes, they will see that, and you’ll have nothing to worry about.
If she is taking easy classes just to boost her average, they will see that those are fluff classes, and work against her.</p>

3

<p>You are over thinking this. Have her apply right now!!</p>

4

<p>My son just found out his rolling admissions program filled up. He’s on the waiting list.</p>

<p>I agree with your statement that they will be missing a lot of “better” cadidates by doing it this way. Seems foolish to me, too. This wasn’t rolling. This was first come, first served.</p>

5

<p>Does she have quarter grades that her GC could send? My d’s high school generally doesn’t send out quarter grades, but they will for rolling or early applicants if they think it’ll help them.</p>

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<p>Have her apply now! She can have her GC send what her grades are currently along with her transcript and schedule. GOOD LUCK !</p>

7

<p>Apply as early as you can at any target college that has rolling admission.</p>

8

<p>Apply now!</p>