Rolling admissions is a type of admissions process in which applications are reviewed and decisions are made on a continuous basis, rather than on a specific deadline. This means that students can apply to colleges with rolling admissions at any time during the application cycle, and they will receive a decision from the college within a few weeks or months.

There are many advantages to applying to colleges with rolling admissions. First, it gives students more time to complete their applications, which can be helpful for students who are still working on their transcripts or who need to take additional standardized tests. Second, rolling admissions can help students avoid the stress of applying to college on a specific deadline. Third, rolling admissions can increase students’ chances of getting into their top choice colleges, as they can apply to multiple colleges and wait to hear back from their favorites before making a decision.
Of course, there are also some disadvantages to applying to colleges with rolling admissions. First, it can be more difficult to get into colleges with rolling admissions, as they tend to be more competitive than colleges with traditional deadlines. Second, rolling admissions can make it more difficult for students to compare financial aid offers from different colleges, as they may not receive all of their decisions at the same time.
If you are considering applying to colleges with rolling admissions, it is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages carefully. If you are a strong student with a solid academic record, rolling admissions can be a great way to increase your chances of getting into your top choice colleges. However, if you are a weaker student or if you are not sure about your college plans, it may be better to apply to colleges with traditional deadlines.
The following is a list of colleges and universities that have rolling admissions:
College/University | Location | Deadline |
---|---|---|
American University | Washington, D.C. | None |
Boston University | Boston, MA | None |
Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | None |
Colby College | Waterville, ME | None |
College of William & Mary | Williamsburg, VA | None |
Columbia University | New York, NY | None |
Cornell University | Ithaca, NY | None |
Dartmouth College | Hanover, NH | None |
Duke University | Durham, NC | None |
Emory University | Atlanta, GA | None |
Georgetown University | Washington, D.C. | None |
Harvard University | Cambridge, MA | None |
Johns Hopkins University | Baltimore, MD | None |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology | Cambridge, MA | None |
Northwestern University | Evanston, IL | None |
Pennsylvania State University | University Park, PA | None |
Princeton University | Princeton, NJ | None |
Rice University | Houston, TX | None |
Stanford University | Stanford, CA | None |
University of California, Berkeley | Berkeley, CA | None |
University of California, Los Angeles | Los Angeles, CA | None |
University of Chicago | Chicago, IL | None |
University of Michigan | Ann Arbor, MI | None |
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | Chapel Hill, NC | None |
University of Notre Dame | Notre Dame, IN | None |
University of Pennsylvania | Philadelphia, PA | None |
University of Southern California | Los Angeles, CA | None |
University of Texas at Austin | Austin, TX | None |
University of Virginia | Charlottesville, VA | None |
University of Washington | Seattle, WA | None |
Vanderbilt University | Nashville, TN | None |
Yale University | New Haven, CT | None |
If you are planning to apply to colleges with rolling admissions, there are a few things you can do to increase your chances of getting into your top choice schools:
- Apply early. The earlier you apply, the more time the admissions committee will have to review your application and make a decision.
- Submit a strong application. Make sure your application is complete, error-free, and well-written. Include a strong personal statement that highlights your strengths and interests.
- Get good grades. Your academic record is one of the most important factors that colleges will consider when making a decision. Make sure to get good grades in all of your classes, and take challenging courses that will show the admissions committee that you are ready for college-level work.
- Take standardized tests. The SAT and ACT are important factors that colleges will consider when making a decision. Take these tests as early as possible, and retake them if you need to improve your scores.
- Get involved in extracurricular activities. Extracurricular activities show the admissions committee that you are a well-rounded individual with interests outside of the classroom. Get involved in activities that you are passionate about, and make sure to take on leadership roles.
- Write a strong college essay. The college essay is your chance to tell the admissions committee who you are and what makes you unique. Take your time writing your essay, and make sure it is well-written and error-free.
- Get letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, and other adults who know you well can help the admissions committee get a better sense of who you are and what you are capable of. Ask for letters of recommendation from people who can speak to your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal qualities.
Rolling admissions can be a great way to increase your chances of getting into your top choice colleges. However, it is important to weigh the advantages and disadvantages carefully before deciding if rolling admissions is right for you. If you are a strong student with a solid academic record, rolling admissions can be a great way to increase your chances of getting into your top choice schools. However, if you are a weaker student or if you are not sure about your college plans, it may be better to apply to colleges with traditional deadlines.