Tips for Managing Overlapping Cycles

Last updated
Save as PDF

Overlapping cycles accommodate the needs of schools that have different intake schedules by allowing them to launch their programs with enough lead time to create a pipeline to process them. Because schools and programs that run independent application cycles are typically able to manage their admissions process more easily, consider the following best practices if your school or program uses rolling admissions and/or complex deadlines that result in overlapping cycles:

Best Practice	Description
Help ensure applicants are creating accounts in (and logging into) the correct cycle.	If you are using BusinessCAS, EngineeringCAS, or GradCAS, direct applicants to the appropriate application landing page. If you are using another CAS, include clear language on each cycle's application login page that describes which application they are about to enter (and include a link to the other cycle for easy access). For example: "This application portal is for students applying to programs in the 18–19 cycle (application period August 29, 2018–January 31, 2020). If you plan to apply to programs in the 17–18 cycle (application period August 29, 2017–January 31, 2019), go to (enter application URL). For information regarding specific programs, contact your school of interest."
Become familiar with the re-application process.	When creating an account in the new cycle, applicants with existing accounts in the previous cycle can copy their application data to the new cycle (this process is referred to as “re-application”). This is helpful for applicants who started the application in the previous cycle and need to move it to the new cycle but don't want to lose existing data. Applicants can copy their academic history and most answers to standard application questions; however, they cannot copy answers to custom questions and information entered into the Program Materials section. Note that when applicants begin this re-applicant process, they are prompted to select the data they wish to copy forward.
Use the Cycle Switcher for quick access to either cycle.	WebAdMIT users can toggle between both cycles using the Cycle Switcher located on the right side of the page header.
Remember that applicants who apply to multiple terms or deadlines may appear in more than one cycle.	These applicants retain the same CAS ID and can be linked up.
Remember that official test scores received by the CAS for an applicant will automatically post to both cycles.	These official test scores will post to both cycles as long as the matching criteria are met on the application.
Keep your programs organized in separate cycles.	Keep all the programs associated with a particular start term in one cycle. For example, the 17–18 cycle might have programs with start terms for Summer 2018, Fall 2018, Spring 2019 while the 18–19 might have Summer 2019, Fall 2019, and Spring 2020. Starting in Summer 2018, transcripts scanned by Liaison will automatically post to both cycles if the applicant is active in both cycles.