Does Purdue Have Rolling Admissions?
If you’re a bit pressed for time and want to give yourself a little breathing room when it comes to applying to colleges, rolling admissions may be a good option for you.
Rolling admissions is especially beneficial for nontraditional students who did not attend college right out of high school. This includes students who took a gap year or those who worked instead of going to college straight out of high school.
1. It’s easier for admissions departments
A rolling admission policy is a method of admissions where colleges and universities accept applications as they come in. These colleges evaluate applications throughout the admissions process until all spots are filled in an incoming class, and then decide on a final list of accepted students.
Traditionally, colleges and universities set deadlines (usually in November or December) for applicants to submit their applications. If a student submits their application later than those deadlines, they will not be admitted for the fall semester. This can make it difficult for students to plan their upcoming academic year and may result in some applicants missing out on financial aid or other benefits.
But schools with rolling admissions realize that they can get more high-quality applications when there are fewer deadlines, and they can be selective about who they accept. They want to attract the best and brightest students who will be happy at their school, so they are willing to give them more time to apply.
Another benefit to a rolling admissions policy is that it can be a good option for seniors who need more time to apply and submit their materials. These students are usually juggling multiple school, work and extracurricular activities, and the rolling admissions policy can allow them more time to complete their applications without stressing out about Jan 1 deadlines.
Many schools also offer a priority deadline for applying for admission to particular programs, and that may be the ideal time for some applicants to apply. This is especially helpful if students are applying to a specific program that requires them to meet certain qualifications before they can be considered for the program.
Some colleges with rolling admissions will have a priority deadline for things like financial aid, so students should check that deadline before they apply to ensure they will be able to take advantage of it. The best way to find out a school’s deadline is to visit its website or contact the admissions office.
Some colleges will also have other priority deadlines, including for submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, so prospective students should check those dates before they apply. Then, they can submit their applications on time to maximize the chances of being accepted.
2. It’s easier for students
Colleges and universities that have rolling admissions want to attract the best students they can – not necessarily the ones who fill their incoming classes, but the ones who will make great grades, graduate, and do all the things that colleges love to see.
The process can be confusing, however, for some prospective students. They may feel as though they need to apply to a school with rolling admissions before they have applied to other schools with regular admissions. But that’s not the case.
Rather, they should apply to rolling admissions colleges during their application window – which is usually any time between late October and early December, depending on the college. Then they can expect to hear back from them in a few weeks.
This timeliness gives students the opportunity to apply for scholarships and financial aid earlier than they would otherwise. This also lessens the pressure on prospective students and lets them spend more time studying for standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT, which can increase their odds of admission.
Some colleges have even adopted a test-optional policy for a set number of admissions cycles, making it easier for applicants to submit their applications with no SAT or ACT scores. This has been a game-changer for some students, particularly those who suffer from test anxiety.
A new report from U.S. News and World Report has ranked Purdue as the second-best college in the country that offers rolling admissions, tied with the University of Pittsburgh.
While it’s not necessarily the case that all schools with rolling admissions offer a better chance of getting into college, it does mean that they tend to be less competitive than other schools. That’s because they have more seats to fill, so they can be a little more flexible in their admissions decision-making process.
Some rolling admissions colleges will accept your application at any time, but they will generally not give you an admissions decision until you have submitted all of your other applications, too. This means that you will have to wait until a few days before other schools have their first deadlines before you hear back from rolling admissions colleges.
3. It’s easier for colleges
Colleges with rolling admissions accept applications from the beginning of the fall semester through late spring or until all spots in the incoming class are filled. They typically release decisions in four to six weeks, and sometimes even two weeks!
In the traditional admissions process, colleges collect applications until a deadline and then review them before deciding who to accept. This can take several months or even two months for regular decision applications.
This can be a stressful time, and many students feel pressure to complete their application early or to avoid any regular decision deadlines at all. Having the flexibility to apply later on can give students more time to submit their applications and ensure that they are applying to colleges with the best chance of acceptance.
Aside from taking the pressure off, rolling admissions can also be beneficial for students who have taken a less conventional path to college than most high school graduates. This could include those who took a gap year or those who worked for a few years after high school, which can make it difficult to meet certain admissions requirements when applying with traditional deadlines.
Some schools with rolling admissions also have a priority deadline for applicants who are interested in a particular honors or accelerated program, which can help them get their decision back quicker than regular decision applicants do.
However, it is important to note that rolling admissions can still be very competitive if you don’t have the highest GPA or test scores possible. This is especially true if you haven’t worked very hard in high school, or if your grades haven’t improved much over the past few years.
It’s also important to remember that rolling admissions are not binding, so you will still have the opportunity to consider other colleges if you decide not to attend the one you were accepted to. If you do choose to attend, you will have to be ready to make a commitment to your chosen school.
In addition to rolling admissions, colleges often offer various admissions resources and opportunities for you to learn more about college life. They may hold information sessions, group visits or virtual events to provide guidance for your entire application process. They’ll be able to answer your questions about transitioning from high school to college, social justice, finding your community and more.
4. It’s easier for admissions departments
Colleges with rolling admissions review applications as they come in, rather than a fixed deadline. That means they have less application volume and can be more selective about who they accept.
This can be a good thing for students because it helps them avoid rushing their applications, according to Zach Wielgus, a master college admissions counselor at IvyWise, a New York-based education consulting firm. Applicants also get more time to work on essays and other elements of the application process, which can make it easier for them to submit a strong application that shows off their strengths.
However, students who want to take advantage of this option must be careful not to miss a step. For example, if a school has a priority deadline for applying for financial aid or scholarships, applicants must remember to meet that date. And they should review other deadlines, such as those for submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), before deciding whether to apply.
Then, they should be sure to ask their teachers and counselors for letters of recommendation early on in the application process so that they can provide a full account of who they are, why they’re a good fit for a particular school, and other relevant information. This can be especially important if the school has a rolling admissions policy, because recommenders aren’t always in a position to write letters as quickly.
Many schools with rolling admissions also require that students take the SAT or ACT before they can submit their application. This is to ensure that they are prepared for college-level coursework, Gaudelius says.
Students who are considering attending a school that has rolling admissions should check out their website to find out how it works and what they need to do to apply. Typically, schools with this policy will open up their application portals in the fall and will continue accepting applications until all spots are filled for the incoming class, according to Krista Medionte-Phillips, director of undergraduate admissions at Binghamton University–SUNY.
Finally, be aware that colleges with rolling admissions often accept late applications, which can affect your chances of being admitted. While this is a good option for some students, it’s not for everyone and can cause stress for those who have a lot of applications to consider.