Should I be worried about UMICH's deferral rates?

Hi peeps, I've been hearing quite a bit about UMICH and their deferral rates recently. I’ve applied and I’m kind of stressed about receiving a deferral. Could someone tell me a bit more about what these rates mean and why they might be high?

Your concerns are completely valid, considering the importance of these decisions. The University of Michigan's deferral rate typically refers to the percentage of Early Action applicants who are neither accepted nor rejected in the first round of decisions, but rather are deferred for reconsideration during the Regular Decision round.

There could be a few reasons why a school like UMichigan might have a high deferral rate. A high deferral rate may indicate that the school received many applications from qualified students and wanted more time to make a decision. They're trying to balance their incoming class with a variety of students, so they may defer some applicants to have a second look in the context of the entire applicant pool. Remember, this process isn't just about choosing students who will succeed academically - schools also want to create a diverse incoming class with a multitude of experiences, perspectives, and talents.

Another factor that can lead to a high deferral rate is the level of competitiveness in the early action pool. Students who apply early often have strong academic profiles, so the competition is tough. In such a competitive environment, it's possible that admissions officers may defer many early applicants to the regular decision pool to review their applications again later.

In general, receiving a deferral isn't necessarily a bad thing. It means that your application was strong enough to remain under consideration. Plus, unlike a denial, a deferral still gives you a chance of admission in the next round. It's a good time to reiterate your interest in the school, update them with any new accomplishments, and ensure your Regular Decision applications to other schools are robust and compelling. You can do all of this through a letter of continued interest, which you can learn more about on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/deferred-or-waitlisted-tips-for-writing-a-letter-of-continued-interest

I hope this information helps alleviate some of your stress!