Rolling Admissions

[J.opt]

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How do rolling admissions work? I was always told to apply early because as time went on, seats would be filled. But how do the schools deal with the applicants who take the OAT in October? When the scores come in December, does a September applicant get his file reviewed before the file of an October applicant is reviewed? If two people applied in September, and person (a) took the February OAT while person (b) waited to take the test in October, would person (a) have a better chance of getting in than person (b)?

Edit: I'm sorry I made my question a little confusing 😀

 

[Rosanna]

Hello:

I'll answer your last question first. Person A would have a better chance of getting accepted if he took the February OAT and therefore his file is essentially complete when he applies in August/September as compared to Person B who will perhaps get interviewed before scores for the October OAT are out in December but will be placed on conditional acceptance.

If Person A and Person B both took the October OAT and Person A applied in September and Person B applied in November, and OAT scores are the only things missing from each person's file, I THINK it will not matter who gets reviewed first. Unless I'm mistaken, schools receive a print out of scores from all applicants that listed on their OAT that they wanted the scores sent to that school. When the schools receive the scores in December, it is still relatively early in the application process so your chance for a seat is still good. I'm sure if the class size is quickly getting filled, they may consider that you did apply a bit early and it will almost depend on how early you can schedule the interview.

I think applying early really puts you ahead of the game, and especially if you have took the OAT before you applied.

Here is my timeline when I was applying, interviewing, and when I received my acceptance notification to give you an idea on what you might expect:

SCCO:
Applied 09/01/02
Interviewed 10/26/02 (First day of interviews)
Acceptance notification 10/28/02 (Yes, they are that quick with decisions)

SUNY:
Applied 08/01/02
Interviewed 10/21/02 (Dr. Johnston came to my undergraduate college)
Acceptance notification 11/01/02

ICO:
Applied 08/01/02
Interviewed 09/19/02
Acceptance notification 10/03/02

Newenco:
Applied 08/01/02
Interviewed 12/18/02
Acceptance notification 12/20/02

I didn't list Berkeley since they do not do rolling admissions.

I took the February OAT, and had all my letters of recommendation ready when I applied.

Best wishes,

Rosanna

 

[J.opt]

Thanks Rosanna, I was always told that it didn’t matter when the OAT was taken, but in reality, taking the February OAT would have been a great advantage.

If I’m forced to retake the OAT next February in order to raise my score, when should I expect my scores back?

 

[jefguth]

When does everyone think it will be hopelessly too late to apply to SUNY, ICO, or NEWENCO.

Getting worried that its too late for me...
GPA: 3.78
Total OAT: 340
Science OAT: 360

 

[PLPrincess]

When does everyone think it will be hopelessly too late to apply to SUNY, ICO, or NEWENCO.

Getting worried that its too late for me...
GPA: 3.78
Total OAT: 340
Science OAT: 360

I visited NEWENCO in March and people were still interviewing at that time if that makes you feel any better... The best you can do is give it a shot, you have a very high GPA and some great scores.

 

[Rosanna]

It's never too late to apply until the deadline has passed. I just wanted to make a point that you have a better CHANCE if you apply early (doesn't necessarily mean a person that applied later will not get accepted).

J.opt, the February OAT scores take about 8-10 weeks to get back (same as the October OAT).

jefguth, you have a great chance with your stats at the three schools you mentioned. All you need to do is make sure you submit your application before the deadline. The year before I applied, NEWENCO had extended its deadline to almost May because they didn't reach their class size.

The sad fact is that you may be very qualified for a seat in that class but you get wait-listed because the class size is full. My friend who is at SUNY now was placed on the wait-list for SCCO because she applied late (GPA 3.6 and OAT 380). My classmate was also put on the wait-list for SCCO because she did not interview there until almost March.

Try to send in those applications early on so you don't have to worry too much about the class getting full.

- Rosanna