Rolling admission is a college application process in which institutions evaluate applications as they arrive rather than waiting for a fixed deadline. Colleges continue to evaluate students until all the seats in the incoming class are filled. This first-come, first-served approach means applying early (by October) is critical, as the odds of admission begin to decrease as more students gain admission over time.
In simplest terms, rolling admission means a college reviews and decides on applications as they arrive, either within a specific window of time or continuously until its entire class is full.
Unlike other college application deadlines, which operate around fixed deadlines and release dates, rolling admission approaches evaluations on a first-come, first-served basis.
The typical window for students to submit their college applications for consideration begins around August and continues for several months thereafter. Remember, “rolling” can mean different things to different schools; some schools may use rolling admission for specific programs while others maintain priority deadlines within their rolling window. Be sure to plan in advance if you’re interested in applying to a college with a rolling admission policy.
Rolling admission is ideal for students who want to apply early. Early applicants receive decisions sooner, significantly reducing the stress of waiting. Students who apply as early as September or October may hear back within weeks.
Because rolling admission is first-come, first-served, applying early maximizes your chances—especially if you’re a strong candidate. The later you apply, the fewer available seats remain and the more competitive the process becomes.
Below is a list of some of the many colleges that use rolling admissions as part of their admissions process as of 2026. To know if a college has rolling admission, be sure to review its official website.
|
School |
Acceptance Rate 2025 (most recent data available) |
|
Academy of Art University |
100% |
|
Adams State University |
99% |
|
Alabama A&M University |
90% |
|
Alabama State University |
99% |
|
Albion College |
75% |
|
Albright College |
82% |
|
Andrews University |
67% |
|
Arizona State University |
88% |
|
Barclay College |
51% |
|
Barton College |
42% |
|
Brooklyn College (CUNY) |
50% |
|
California Institute of the Arts |
25% |
|
California State University, Long Beach |
39% |
|
California State University, San Bernardino |
78% |
|
Chicago State University |
46% |
|
Clarke University |
57% |
|
Concordia University (All Locations) |
76% |
|
Dakota State University |
83% |
|
Eckerd College |
69% |
|
Faulkner University |
78% |
|
Hanover College |
69% |
|
Harding University |
55% |
|
Howard Payne University |
49% |
|
Idaho State University |
100% |
|
Illinois State University |
82% |
|
Indiana State University |
77% |
|
Indiana University (All Locations) |
90% |
|
Iowa State University |
88% |
|
Iowa Wesleyan College |
71% |
|
La Salle University |
76% |
|
Lincoln University |
61% |
|
Loyola University Chicago |
68% |
|
Marymount University |
85% |
|
Michigan State University |
78% |
|
Mississippi State University |
54% |
|
Notre Dame College |
98% |
|
Ohio State University |
54% |
|
Our Lady of Holy Cross College |
32% |
|
Pace University |
79% |
|
Penn State (All Locations) |
~82% |
|
Regis University |
71% |
|
Rutgers University |
60% |
|
Saint Mary's College |
81% |
|
Samford University |
83% |
|
South Carolina State University |
67% |
|
South Dakota State University |
90% |
|
St. Andrews University |
45% |
|
St. Augustine College |
— |
|
St. Augustine's University |
73% |
|
Suffolk University |
84% |
|
Tennessee State University |
66% |
|
Texas College |
— |
|
Texas State University |
81% |
|
The King's College |
42% |
|
United States Air Force Academy |
11% |
|
United States Coast Guard Academy |
21% |
|
United States Merchant Marine Academy |
25% |
|
United States Naval Academy |
8% |
|
University of Arizona |
85% |
|
University of Portland |
77% |
|
University of South Dakota |
86% |
|
University of South Florida |
48% |
|
University of St. Mary |
84% |
|
University of Tampa |
45% |
|
University of Texas at Dallas |
79% |
|
University of Texas at Arlington |
83% |
|
University of Texas at San Antonio |
77% |
|
University of Wisconsin (All Locations) |
77% |
|
Wake Forest University |
30% |
|
Wesley College |
61% |
|
Wesleyan College |
44% |
|
West Texas A&M University |
69% |
Students should apply rolling admission if:
The rule of thumb regarding rolling admission is to treat it like an advantage only if you’re ready to submit your strongest work early. If not, it may be a better strategy to use the extra time to improve your essays and extracurriculars and ensure you’re submitting the best version of your college application at a later date.
Applying to colleges on a rolling basis isn’t for everyone. Some students should reconsider rolling admission if:
For many students, rolling admission is a powerful tool that rewards readiness and thoughtful timing. For others, it’s a reminder that applying early can deliver the best outcomes. Each year, students contemplate how and when they should apply to colleges, and oftentimes, our best advice is for students to assess the pros and cons of every college application deadline and apply to colleges using a mix of them. This strategy will ensure they are maximizing their potential of getting accepted.
Want help building a timing strategy? Start with a free consultation. Here you can discuss the ways Collegewise can help students interested in rolling admission, such as:
Created a tailored roadmap to ensure college applications are polished before colleges begin accepting applications.
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