How does Rolling Admissions work?

[RLK]

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Do the schools review the applications they receive at the end of each month or what does rolling admissions actually mean?

 

[ButlerPharm.D.]

Rolling admissions means applications are reviewed and decided upon as they are received. The sooner an application is received the better the chances for the applicant. Some schools have rolling admissions and some don't. Rolling admissions, in my view, is quite beneficial to the student as it can "reward" you for being on track and timely.

 

[endlesslove]

The sooner an application is received the better the chances for the applicant. Some schools have rolling admissions and some don't. Rolling admissions, in my view, is quite beneficial to the student as it can "reward" you for being on track and timely.

not always. it also depends on how good the school is a match for the applicant. That is, if the school is not recognized as being that "prestigious" (whatever the definition of this is) but you have a very strong applicant applying, the school may not like you, no matter how hard you try or how early you apply. Supposedly, the school feels like there's no point in admitting the very strong applicant for that applicant will probably end up turning that school down anyway...or so I've heard. I know of 2 real cases in the pre-pharm and the pre-med areas.

 

[jammocah]

not always. it also depends on how good the school is a match for the applicant. That is, if the school is not recognized as being that "prestigious" (whatever the definition of this is) but you have a very strong applicant applying, the school may not like you, no matter how hard you try or how early you apply. Supposedly, the school feels like there's no point in admitting the very strong applicant for that applicant will probably end up turning that school down anyway...or so I've heard. I know of 2 real cases in the pre-pharm and the pre-med areas.

U think schools will turn down applicants if they are OVER-qualified?? That's crazy!

 

[endlesslove]

U think schools will turn down applicants if they are OVER-qualified?? That's crazy!

that's what i've heard and seen. for instance, one of my close friend's bro (now at Harvard Medical School) graduated from UC Berkeley with a 3.999 (or maybe 4.0) GPA in Molecular and Cell Biology where more than half of all his grades were A+s, volunteered like crazy, great personality, did lots of research, was a Regents and Chancellor's Scholar (very high at Berkeley!), got over a 40 on his MCAT (I believe it was a 43?) and was accepted everywhere (Harvard, UCSF, StanfUrd, Columbia, etc) except the really small not very prestigious schools (he applied early to them all). For the really prestigious schools to accept him but the "blah" schools to reject him is just plain WEIRD.

 

[ButlerPharm.D.]

I could agree with that interpretation. I'm sure many schools do take that into consideration when determining who they will accept during the rolling admissions process. If the schools accept an "over-qualified" applicant and he/she later decides they do not want to attend, then the school is in a tight spot because they may not be able to find a student to fill the vacated position. But, there is no way you can know for sure what people on the admissions committee are thinking.

 

[jammocah]

I could agree with that interpretation. I'm sure many schools do take that into consideration when determining who they will accept during the rolling admissions process. If the schools accept an "over-qualified" applicant and he/she later decides they do not want to attend, then the school is in a tight spot because they may not be able to find a student to fill the vacated position. But, there is no way you can know for sure what people on the admissions committee are thinking.

so a not-so prestigious school will always BE a not so prestigious school because they look for, want, and accept ONLY mediocre students. Seems like they're digging their own hole if u ask me.. doesnt seem so right? but they're so many "theories" out there.. who knows which ones are true..... hmmm....

 

[ButlerPharm.D.]

Yep.... But also keep in mind that that was only one person's experience so that may only hold true for that particular school. Let’s not vilify all schools that use rolling admissions.