Starting your college journey means understanding the difference between rolling admissions and early action. Each option affects when you can apply and when you’ll receive a decision. Knowing the pros and cons of both can help you choose the best path for your situation.
Whether you decide to apply early or prefer the flexibility of rolling admissions, it’s an important decision that can impact your college experience.
Key Takeaways
- Rolling admission offers flexibility in your application timeline.
- Early action provides a chance for early decision-making but requires early submissions.
- Early decision has a binding commitment, meaning you must attend the school if accepted, with an earlier application deadline.
- Consider your academic readiness, ability to meet deadlines, and the competitiveness of your target schools when deciding.
What is Rolling Admission?
Rolling admission is a college application process where schools review applications as they are submitted, rather than waiting until a specific deadline. This means you can apply at any time during the application window, and you’ll typically receive a decision within a few weeks of submitting your application.
Advantages of Rolling Admission
- Flexibility in Application Timing: You can apply at any time during the application window, giving you more flexibility to plan your college applications.
- Faster Decisions: Since applications are reviewed as they are submitted, you’ll typically receive an admissions decision within a few weeks.
- Non-binding: Rolling admission is non-binding, meaning that if you’re accepted, you don’t have to commit to attending right away. You can take your time to compare offers and make the right decision for you.
- Less Stressful: Without a specific deadline like early action or early decision, you have more time to perfect your application and submit it when you’re ready.
- Better Availability: While some programs may fill quickly, rolling admission offers the advantage of being able to apply later in the year if you miss earlier deadlines, without sacrificing your chances of acceptance.
- Opportunity to Apply to Multiple Schools: With rolling admissions, you can apply to multiple schools without being locked into one early decision, allowing you to compare options before making a final choice.
Disadvantages of Rolling Admission
- Limited Availability for Popular Programs: While you have more time to apply, spots in competitive programs may fill up as the cycle progresses, reducing your chances of acceptance.
- Delayed Financial Aid Offers: Since decisions are made on a rolling basis, you may not receive financial aid offers as early as students applying through Early Decision or Early Action, making it harder to compare financial packages.
- Less Time to Decide: While rolling admissions gives flexibility in applying, it also means you’ll receive decisions earlier, which can create a shorter window for making a final choice between colleges.
- Pressure to Apply Early: Even though there’s no set deadline, it’s often beneficial to apply early in a rolling admissions system. Waiting too long might reduce your chances as available spots decrease.
Colleges Offering Rolling Admission
Of the ranked National Universities that submitted data to U.S. News in an annual survey, 143 offered rolling admissions in the fall of 2023. Here are some well-known colleges with this policy:
- Penn State University
- Michigan State University
- University of Kansas
- University of Arizona
- University of Wisconsin-Madison
- Indiana University Bloomington
What is Early Action?
Early Action (EA) is a college application process that allows students to apply early in the admissions cycle—typically by November 1 or 15—and receive their admissions decision earlier, usually by December.
Early Action has become increasingly popular with prospective students. For example, Columbia University reported 6,009 early applications for the Class of 2028 compared to 5,738 last year. Similarly, Harvard University received 7,921 early applicants for the Class of 2028.
Some colleges also offer Restrictive Early Action (REA), which has similar benefits but limits students to applying to only one private institution early. Early Action is ideal for students who want to apply early, but still want the flexibility to compare different schools before making a commitment.
Advantages of Early Action
- Non-binding Commitment: If you’re accepted, you don’t have to commit to attending the college right away, unlike Early Decision (ED). You have the freedom to apply to multiple schools and wait until the regular decision deadline to make your final choice.
- Earlier Response: EA applicants usually receive their admission decision earlier, often by December. This can reduce stress and help you plan ahead, giving you more time to consider your options.
- More Time for Financial Aid and Scholarships: Since you receive an earlier decision, you can use that time to explore and compare financial aid offers, scholarships, and other aspects of the colleges you’re considering.
- Less Pressure: The non-binding nature of EA means you don’t face the pressure of having to commit to a school immediately. This gives you more flexibility to take your time and explore other opportunities without feeling rushed.
- Improved Chances at Some Schools: Some colleges may have higher acceptance rates for Early Action applicants. Among ranked colleges with early admissions programs, the average early acceptance rate for early action applicants was 76.2%, while the average among early decision candidates was 59.4%.
Disadvantages of Early Action
- Limited Time to Strengthen Your Application: Since Early Action deadlines are typically in November, you may have less time to improve your academic performance or complete other parts of your application, such as standardized test scores or extracurricular activities, in your senior year.
- No Guaranteed Acceptance: While applying Early Action can show your enthusiasm for a particular school, it does not guarantee acceptance. You still have to compete with other applicants, and since you are applying earlier, you may not have the benefit of showing the full range of your senior year accomplishments.
- Pressure to Decide Quickly: Even though Early Action is non-binding, it can still put pressure on you to make a decision sooner than if you applied Regular Decision. You may feel rushed to weigh your options without seeing other schools’ offers or financial aid packages.
The Difference Between Early Action and Early Decision
While both Early Action (EA) and Early Decision (ED) allow students to apply earlier than the regular admission deadline, they differ significantly in terms of commitment and flexibility.
Commitment
Early Action is non-binding, meaning that if you are accepted, you are not required to attend the college. You can still apply to other schools and wait until the regular decision deadline to make your final choice.
On the other hand, Early Decision is binding, meaning that if you are accepted, you must attend that college and withdraw all other applications. You are committed to enrolling, making it a good choice for students who are certain about their top-choice school.
Application Flexibility
Early Action allows you to apply to multiple colleges that offer this option, giving you the freedom to explore different schools and make comparisons. Whereas Early Decision typically restricts you to applying to only one college, making it a commitment to a specific school. Some schools offer Restrictive Early Action (REA), which is similar to EA but limits you to applying to only one private school early.
Financial Aid Considerations
Early Action gives you more time to compare financial aid packages from multiple schools before making your final decision, but Early Decision requires you to commit before knowing the full details of your financial aid package, which can make it harder to compare offers.
Rolling Admission vs. Early Action
Understanding the difference between rolling admission and early action is essential for planning your college application strategy. Each option has its own timeline and level of flexibility, which can impact your chances of admission.
If you’re a parent looking to support your teen in navigating college admissions, understanding the nuances between options can make a big difference in planning effectively.
For a detailed breakdown of college admissions strategies and tips on how to support your teen’s journey, check out our Ultimate Guide to College Admissions for Parents.
How Timing Affects Each Option
With rolling admission, you can apply at any time during the application window, and colleges review applications as they are received, offering decisions more quickly. On the other hand, early action has a fixed deadline, typically in November. You need to prepare early to meet this deadline and take advantage of early action.
Which Is More Flexible?
Rolling admission offers more flexibility. You can submit your application when you’re ready, and you may receive a decision soon after. Early action, with its strict deadline, requires you to prepare well in advance, which can feel stressful, especially if you need more time to strengthen your application.
Comparing Acceptance Rates
Early action can sometimes increase your chances of admission, as many colleges reserve a portion of spots for early applicants. This is an important consideration when deciding between early action and early decision to maximize your acceptance opportunities.
Here’s a quick look at the main differences between rolling admission and early action:
| Feature | Rolling Admission | Early Action |
| Application Deadline | Varies by school, typically ongoing | Set early deadline (often in November) |
| Decision Notification | Usually within a few weeks of application | Notified by a specific date, often in December |
| Ability to Apply Elsewhere | Yes | Yes (Restrictions may apply) |
| Acceptance Notification | Offers made on a rolling basis | Once decisions are released |
How to Choose Between Rolling Admission and Early Action
Here are key factors to help you choose between rolling admission and early action:
- Academic Readiness: Assess whether you’re prepared for your top-choice colleges. If you’re confident in your academic strengths, early action might be the better option. Students with good grades often benefit from early action. It shows they’re ready for specific colleges.
- College Competitiveness: Consider how competitive the colleges you’re applying to are. Your chances of acceptance can vary depending on the school and its applicant pool.
- Deadlines: Think about your ability to meet deadlines. Rolling admission offers more flexibility, as you can apply anytime without a fixed deadline.
- Response Time: If you want faster feedback, rolling admission might be a better choice, as decisions are typically made more quickly compared to early action.
Your choice between rolling admission and early action depends on your personal and academic situation. Thinking about these factors will help you choose the best option for your college dreams.
Conclusion
When you’re applying to college, choosing between rolling admission and early action is key. Each choice has its own benefits that can shape your path to higher education. By making the right choice, you can manage your time better and maybe even get into your top school.
Rolling admission lets you apply whenever you’re ready, giving you more flexibility. Early action, on the other hand, can give you a decision sooner, helping you plan ahead. It’s important to think about your own needs, goals, and preferences when deciding between these options.
About College Journey
Navigating the application process for rolling admission versus early action can be challenging, but College Journey is here to simplify it. Powered by Alice, your AI college counselor, College Journey helps you understand the differences between these two application options and how they affect your timeline and chances of acceptance.
Whether you’re unsure which option is best for your application strategy, need tips on meeting deadlines, or want personalized guidance on selecting the right colleges, Alice has you covered. With tailored recommendations, school comparisons, and tools to track your progress, College Journey makes the college prep process less stressful and more manageable. Best of all, it’s free to sign up!
FAQ
What is rolling admission?
Rolling admission allows you to apply to college anytime during the application window. Colleges review applications as they are received and notify applicants of their admission status as soon as a decision is made.
What are the advantages of rolling admission?
Rolling admission offers flexibility in when you can apply, allowing you to submit your application when you’re ready. You may also receive a decision sooner, reducing stress since there’s no fixed deadline.
How does early action differ from early decision?
Early action allows you to apply early without any obligation to attend if accepted. You have until May 1 to decide. Early decision, however, is binding—if you’re accepted, you must attend that school and withdraw all other applications.
Can I apply to both rolling admission and early action schools?
Yes, you can usually apply to both rolling admission and early action schools. However, some early action programs may have restrictions on applying early to other schools, so it’s important to check each school’s specific rules.
What should I consider when choosing between rolling admission and early action?
Consider how prepared you are academically and how competitive the colleges you’re interested in are. Also, think about whether you can meet the deadlines for early action and how important flexibility in your application timeline is to you.
