If you need more time to apply to college or want to receive a response letter sooner, then you might consider applying to online colleges with rolling admissions.
A rolling admissions policy means that a school evaluates applications as soon as they receive them instead of waiting for an application deadline to arrive.
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Here you can learn about online colleges with rolling admissions and what this means for you.
Online Colleges with Rolling Admissions
Online colleges with rolling admissions generally have longer application windows. Some schools extend their application deadlines through the spring, while others accept applications up until all the spots for the incoming class have been filled.
With rolling admissions, applications are also evaluated as they are received. It’s common to receive a response from the school 4 to 8 weeks after applying. This is different than schools with traditional admission processes. Those schools wait for set deadlines to pass before reviewing and responding to applications.
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While a rolling admissions policy provides greater flexibility for applicants, many universities that implement this policy still specify priority deadlines that indicate when they would prefer to receive applications.
Here’s an overview of the common types of admissions deadlines that you may come across:
- Regular Decision. These universities tend to send out acceptance letters in March and often require candidates to convey their acceptance by the end of April.
- Rolling Admissions. Unlike regular decision deadlines, institutions offering rolling admissions assess applications as soon as they arrive and send out letters as soon as they’ve reached a decision.
- Early Decision. Schools with early decision policies let you apply earlier. Applications are quickly reviewed, and decisions are promptly sent out. If you get accepted, you are contractually obligated to enroll. Breaking your contract can expose you to hefty fines.
- Early Action. Schools with early action let students submit their college applications earlier without the obligation to attend if they’re accepted.
In comparison to these admissions policies, schools with rolling admissions give candidates more time to prepare their applications while sending applicants a non-binding response more quickly.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Rolling Admissions Colleges
If you’re considering applying to online colleges with rolling admissions, here’s a quick look at some of their pros and cons.
First, here are some of the advantages of a rolling admissions policy:
- Less competition. With rolling admissions, applications tend to be sent at different times. If you apply earlier in the process, there could be fewer applicants for you to be compared against.
- Flexible timeline. Most rolling admissions schools don’t have application deadlines, which can allow you more time to decide or prepare to apply.
- Shorter turnaround time. Schools review applications as soon as they’re received, so you often don’t have to wait as long to receive a response.
On the other hand, due to how they’re structured, rolling admissions can also present some challenges:
- Faster decision-making. While you may receive an acceptance letter sooner from a school with rolling admissions, this can also result in you needing to make a decision before hearing back from other institutions.
- Limited slots. Candidates can still be turned down since available slots can fill up quickly.
- Priority deadlines. If you apply beyond a school’s priority deadline, there may be limited space left, and it may take longer for you to receive a response.
It can be helpful to keep these advantages and disadvantages in mind if you plan to apply to colleges offering rolling admissions.
Schools with Rolling Admissions Requirements
Schools have different admission requirements, but these are some common requirements:
- Official school transcripts
- Recommendation letters
- Personal essay
- SAT or ACT scores (not all schools require them)
Even if your prospective school has rolling admissions, it’s strategic to start planning and preparing as early as possible. You should also note that there are schools that don’t require SAT scores as part of the application process.
Rolling Admission Colleges Accreditation
The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) recognizes the following accrediting organizations:
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- WASC Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
CHEA recognition confirms that an accrediting organization is in line with CHEA’s standards of academic quality, accountability requirements, and eligibility. Attending a regionally accredited school is a common precondition for financial aid. Accreditation can also impact the transferability of your college credits.
What Is Rolling Admission for College?
Universities with rolling admissions receive and reply to college applications as they come. The concept behind rolling admissions is that it gives students a longer application window, usually up to 6 months.
On the surface, rolling admission and regular admission are quite similar. The main difference is that regular admission imposes a strict deadline for applications. Plus, regular admissions processes usually don’t start reviewing applications until the deadline has passed.
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In contrast, rolling admission colleges evaluate applications as soon as they receive them and typically send out their decisions within 4 to 6 weeks.
When Should You Apply for Rolling Admission?
Rolling admission online colleges evaluate applications on a first-come, first-serve basis. Online colleges with rolling start dates generally open themselves up for applications from July to April. Once the admission cycle begins, schools review applications until the incoming class is full.
Students may start sending in applications as early as the middle of the summer, while some apply within the first half of the application window. Although you have a longer application window with rolling admission, there may be fewer spots available the longer you wait.
May 1st is commonly referred to as National College Decision Day because it’s the customary deadline for picking which school to attend.
What’s the Difference between Early Action vs. Rolling Admission?
Early action admission is another admission policy that lets you receive decisions from colleges sooner. These are some of the differences between early action and rolling admission.
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Early action admission is another feasible choice for those who want the flexibility of receiving response letters from colleges sooner. The sooner you know whether a school has accepted or rejected you, the more time you have to think through your options or make new plans.
What’s the Difference between a Rolling Deadline System vs. Rolling Notification System?
When applying, it’s useful to know how rolling deadlines work versus rolling notifications.
- Rolling deadline system: Rolling deadline systems have no specific application deadline, so you can send your application whenever you’re ready.
- Rolling notification system: With rolling notification systems, a school waits to contact applicants until after a set deadline. Colleges often start by contacting the strongest candidates, continuing to contact candidates until all slots are filled.
Some schools have rolling application policies that employ both rolling deadlines and rolling notifications, while others only use one or the other.
Online Colleges with Rolling Admissions
Methodology: The following school list is in alphabetical order. To be included, a college or university must be regionally accredited and offer degree programs online or in a hybrid format with rolling admissions.
Arkansas State University offers admission on a rolling basis. It has degree programs available in agriculture, business, education, behavioral science, engineering, computer science, liberal arts, communication, health professions, and more. ASU’s degree programs are available on campus and online.
Arkansas State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
At Arizona State University, potential students can apply to begin in the fall, spring, or summer, and applications are accepted year-round. Admissions processing times can vary, but applicants usually receive a decision within one month of applying.
ASU has a student-to-faculty ratio of 18-to-1 and offers more than 350 different degree programs.
Arizona State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
At Clemson University, students can apply to start in the fall, spring, or summer terms. Clemson primarily looks at applicants’ GPA, class rank, rigor of coursework, and community engagement. Submission of test scores is optional.
Clemson offers degree programs in the arts and humanities, sciences, business, education, engineering, and more.
Clemson University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
At Creighton University, admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, but there is a deadline for priority scholarship consideration.
Required application materials include transcripts, a high school counselor evaluation, and a personal statement. Optional materials include SAT or ACT scores, letters of recommendation, and a resume.
Creighton University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.
Florida Institute of Technology uses a rolling admissions policy, so applicants can apply any time of the year. Florida Tech does not require a minimum GPA, class rank, or test score requirements, but all these factors are considered. Florida Tech also considers applicants’ extracurricular activities.
Florida Institute of Technology is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
At the New Jersey Institute of Technology, applicants can apply under the rolling admissions policy and typically receive a decision within 2 to 3 weeks. Required application materials include transcripts, a personal essay, and a letter of recommendation.
NJIT primarily offers degree programs in STEM fields, business, architecture, and design.
The New Jersey Institute of Technology is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Northeastern University uses a rolling admissions policy but recommends that applicants pay attention to deadlines to ensure they can enroll in their desired start term. There are 10 start terms available throughout the year. Applicants are only required to fill out a simple application and submit official transcripts to apply.
Northeastern University is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
Indiana University—Northwest makes admissions decisions on a rolling basis, and applications are reviewed every day. Decisions are based primarily on transcripts. Standardized test scores and essays are not required. IU Northwest has a student-to-faculty ratio of 14-to-1, and classes emphasize hands-on learning.
Indiana University – Northwest is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Iowa State University offers rolling admission, with the admissions process for a given term beginning one year before it starts. Applicants must submit official transcripts and SAT or ACT scores. Iowa State offers degree programs in a variety of fields, including the sciences, education, engineering, fine arts, and the humanities.
Iowa State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Loyola University—Chicago accepts applications on a rolling basis, but there is a deadline for priority consideration. Standardized test scores are currently optional, but applicants are required to submit official transcripts and a letter of recommendation. Test scores that are submitted are superscored.
Loyola University – Chicago is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Michigan State University uses a rolling admissions policy. Applicants simply need to fill out an application and submit official transcripts and standardized test scores to apply. Admissions decisions are typically received within 8 to 12 weeks of submitting all application materials.
MSU offers over 200 academic programs across seventeen colleges.
Michigan State University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Applicants can apply to Pacific University at any time under its rolling admissions policy. Official transcripts and a letter of recommendation are required, but standardized test scores are optional.
Pacific University provides small class sizes and has more than 65 undergraduate majors and minors in the arts and sciences, health professions, business, education, and more.
Pacific University is accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities.
Pennsylvania State University offers admission on a rolling basis. Decisions are primarily made based on academic records, but applicants’ personal statements, activity lists, and cultural backgrounds are also considered.
Penn State does not have any minimum GPA requirements and strives for diversity in student selection.
Pennsylvania State University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Texas A&M University uses a rolling admissions process. There is a priority deadline, but applicants can still be considered for admission after the deadline. Texas A&M looks for students who are highly motivated to succeed in an academic environment.
SAT and ACT scores are required, but personal statements and essays are not.
Texas A&M University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University at Buffalo makes most freshman admissions decisions on a rolling basis, but there is also a nonbinding Early Action application. UB strongly recommends applicants submit at least one letter of recommendation, and up to three may be submitted.
Admission to UB is competitive, but there are no GPA or test score requirements.
The University at Buffalo is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
The University of Alabama has a rolling admissions policy. Potential students can apply at any time, but depending on their personal goals and timelines, they may want to apply ahead of the priority deadline. Test scores are currently optional.
UA has an average class size of twenty students and offers almost 100 undergraduate degree programs.
The University of Alabama is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
At the University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign, the rolling admissions process does have a priority deadline. Applicants are considered for admission based on their academic records, intended majors, personal statements, extracurricular activities, and backgrounds. SAT and ACT scores are currently optional.
UIUC is committed to maintaining diversity in its student body.
The University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Each September, the University of Iowa begins offering admission on a rolling basis. There are deadlines to consider for merit scholarships. Each college has its own admissions requirements. Degree programs are available in the liberal arts and sciences, engineering, business, nursing, public health, education, and more.
The University of Iowa is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of Massachusetts—Amherst has a rolling admissions policy, and applications are reviewed holistically. The university considers not only academic accomplishments but also intellectual curiosity and attitude toward learning. Submission of SAT or ACT scores is optional.
The University of Massachusetts – Amherst is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The University of Minnesota—Twin Cities makes admissions decisions on a rolling basis. Each application receives a holistic review. Admission into the school is competitive and based on a variety of factors, with GPA and academic rigor being two of the most significant factors. Standardized test scores are currently optional.
The University of Minnesota – Twin Cities is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
The University of New Hampshire admits students on a rolling basis, and applications are reviewed as soon as they are complete. Required application materials include high school transcripts and a letter of recommendation, but SAT and ACT scores are optional.
Fine arts programs may require auditions or the submission of a portfolio.
The University of New Hampshire is accredited by the New England Commission of Higher Education.
The University of Pittsburgh uses a rolling admissions policy in which potential students can apply at any time. Admissions decisions are made throughout the year. The application requirements include self-reported academic records and a personal statement. Pitt is currently test-optional.
Pitt looks for students who have high academic achievement and unique qualities.
The University of Pittsburgh is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.
Beginning in late fall each year, the University of South Florida begins reviewing applications individually on a rolling basis. There is a priority deadline for scholarship consideration. Admissions decisions are based primarily on applicants’ GPA, academic rigor, and SAT or ACT scores.
Test scores are required, but essays and personal statements are not.
The University of South Florida is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Tennessee—Knoxville makes admissions decisions on a rolling basis starting in mid-February each year.
Required application materials include a self-reported academic record and a short-answer essay. Optional materials include standardized test scores, a personal statement, and recommendations. Specific majors may have additional requirements.
The University of Tennessee – Knoxville is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.
The University of Tulsa reviews applications on a rolling basis as they are received, but there is a priority deadline to be considered for academic scholarships. Prospective students simply need to fill out an application and submit official transcripts and test scores. A counselor recommendation is optional.
The University of Tulsa is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Getting Your College Degree Online
As you prepare for the college application process, you may want to verify the specific admission policies and application deadlines of your schools of choice.
It can help to shortlist the schools you want to apply to most and consider their requirements and deadlines early, so you can sufficiently prepare for them as they come. For schools offering the best online degree programs, it’s still strategic to keep an eye on any priority deadlines, even for schools with rolling deadlines.
The sooner you start exploring accredited schools offering college courses online, the sooner you can start applying to the ones that best align with your personal needs and professional goals.
