Please define "rolling admissions"

nodiva

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I know the meaning of "rolling admissions" as in "we evaluate applications and notify applicants in a timely manner if they passed the Board process" (LOA), but what I am unclear about is this: are you also notified in a timely manner if you are deemed not admissible? Will my child be notified before April if they did not get in? My athletic kid has generated a lot of attention from other schools that want my kid to apply "early decision", but seeing how this is a binding agreement, my kid's hands are tied because USNA is first choice. Being a sensible parent, I want my kid to pursue these other opportunities but would hate to apply to another school, get in and then find out in April they got into the USNA and then try to get out of a binding decision with the other school. Because premium scholarship dollars go to early decision candidates I hate to miss out on that money if the board decided in September not to admit them and we have to wait until April to find this out all the while turning away other opportunities. Can anyone else relate to this situation?
 
I think rolling admissions simply means that they evaluate the current pool of candidates on a continuing basis.

This is why there is some advantage in completing your application package sooner rather than later. The sooner it is completed the sooner you will get looked at. Over time, the candidate pool continues to grow. You are competing with and being compared to an ever-growing group.

Early on, a particular candidate may appear to be a front runner and earn an offer of an appointment because of that. It's possible that, subsequently, as more candidates complete their application package, that many superior candidates are now being looked at. Too late! That candidate has already earned an appointment. It's possible, that had he completed his application package much later that he may not have earned that appointment.

That's just an example how it might make a difference. Fundamentally, a superior candidate is very likely to earn an appointment no matter when his application package is completed. But, invariably, there are always some who are on the bubble, so to speak. With any rolling admission process - earlier is better.

The question is, do you want your application to be reviewed when there are 1,000 candidates or when there are 10,000 candidates? Do you want your application to be reviewed ten times or only once?
 
Thanks for your reply. So if I read it correctly, no one is "ruled out" early? You are not notified if your chances are too low to get in down the line. Say an SAT is too low to be considered, will that applicant find out that they are no longer in the pool of applicants?
 
Thanks for your reply. So if I read it correctly, no one is "ruled out" early? You are not notified if your chances are too low to get in down the line. Say an SAT is too low to be considered, will that applicant find out that they are no longer in the pool of applicants?

Candidates will start to get weeded out once nominations come in from their respective sources. However, if your kid has an LOA, he'll just be waiting on the Nom. You won't get "kicked out" if your SAT/ACT is too low; you would just get the TWE later on or earlier than others. I got my TWE on March 22nd (and now I'm reapplying as a college freshman).

TWE = thin white envelope (letter of declination)
 
So I guess my question is: when to the TWE's start arriving? Does the admissions board really make kids go through the whole nomination request process even though they stand no chance of getting an appointment?
 
The Board makes an initial decision on each candidate. In some cases, the record is deferred for additional review later. If the candidate is initially "rejected" by the Board, that decision can be revisited if there is new/additional information, such as updated SATs.

It's more a rolling review of your record than decision on an appointment. USNA must wait until the nominations come in to make offers of appointment. For most noms (other than Pres and a few others), that doesn't typically happen until late fall or early in the new year. It's very rare for candidates who have completed 100% of their packet and have at least one nom to receive a TWE before March.
 
Thanks for your reply! Does one find out if one has been "rejected" pending additional information?
 
Thanks for your reply! Does one find out if one has been "rejected" pending additional information?

Typically not, although Admissions may suggest someone retake the SAT (or do something else), which could be an indication. However, don't assume that such a suggestion definitely means a rejection -- it could simply mean they want you to become a more competitive candidate.
 
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