UChicago early action deferral question

Does UChicago commonly defer early action applicants to regular decision? I'm trying to make sense of my chances if I'm not accepted right away.

It's not uncommon for UChicago or any other competitive university to defer a portion of their early action applicants to the regular decision pool. In fact, many universities use this method to manage their acceptances and maintain control over the makeup of their incoming class.

That said, it's important to remember that a deferral isn't equivalent to a rejection. If you're deferred, it means UChicago didn't make a final decision about your application during the early cycle and wants to review it again during the regular cycle. A deferral provides another opportunity for the admissions committee to consider your application and for you to bolster your application with any updates or improvements.

Keep in mind that being deferred does not significantly change your odds of gaining admission. After all, UChicago is an extremely competitive school, so it's always wise to be ready for different outcomes.

If you do get deferred, use the time to send in any new achievements or updated grades, and to reaffirm your interest in UChicago, as this can potentially give you an edge in the regular decision process.

Stay optimistic and good luck with your application!