How does deferral in college applications work?

I'm trying to understand what a deferral means when it comes to college applications. If I get deferred, what should I do next, and how does it impact my chances of getting accepted later?

A deferral in college admissions refers to a situation where a college chooses to delay its admission decision for an applicant who has applied through an Early Decision or Early Action plan. Instead of outright accepting or rejecting the applicant in the early round, the college essentially says, "We're not ready to make a decision yet, let's reevaluate your application in the regular decision pool."

When you're deferred, there are several steps you can take. Here are a few:

1. Send a letter of continued interest: This is a letter you send to the college affirming that you're still very interested in attending, and that if you're admitted, you'll definitely enroll (only say this if it's true).

2. Update the college with any new achievements: If you accomplish something significant after submitting your application—like winning a big award or improving your grades—you can contact the admissions office to update your application.

3. Keep your grades up: Poor grades in your senior year might lower your chances of acceptance, so it's important to continue working hard, even after applications are done. Regularly check in with your guidance counselor about this, especially if final grades haven’t been submitted.

As for how a deferral affects your chances of admission, that varies depending on the school. Some colleges defer a large number of applicants, only to ultimately accept a small percentage. Other schools might defer fewer applicants and accept a larger percentage. It's best to keep your expectations realistic; a deferral should not be seen as a surefire promise of acceptance. Just know that you’re still in the running and that you should continue showing interest in and exploring other schools.