Which colleges tend to defer Early Action applications?

I've heard that some colleges commonly defer early action applicants. What are some schools with high deferral rates, and how should I approach this if I get deferred?

Deferrals can indeed occur frequently, particularly among highly selective colleges and universities. For early action applications, schools like Harvard and Stanford are known to regularly defer a significant portion of their applicant pool. The primary reason for deferment is to allow the admissions committee to review the application again in the context of the Regular Decision pool.

If you've been deferred, you might be wondering how to move forward. Firstly, try not to get too discouraged. Being deferred doesn't mean you've been rejected—there's still a legitimate chance you could be admitted in the Regular Decision round.

After you've been deferred, the best step to take next is to show continued interest in the school. Submitting a 'Letter of Continued Interest' can be a helpful course of action. This letter ideally should reiterate your interest in the college, mention any new achievements or accomplishments since you submitted your application, and explain why the school's environment and programs align with your goals and passions.

Also remember to keep focusing on your regular decision applications - while a deferral is not a rejection, it's still crucial to have other options. Have a list of schools to apply to during the regular decision round that align with your academic and career interests, and apply as though you've not been deferred elsewhere.

Consider the deferral as an opportunity to make your Regular Decision applications stronger. Re-read your essays and update any information as necessary based on any new experiences or achievements since you submitted your early application. Review the feedback you've gotten from teachers, counselors, or others who have read your work. And above all, keep up your grades and activities with the same dedication and intensity as before. Remember that this just one step in your journey and not a final determination of your worth or future success.