What does it mean to be deferred to regular decision?

I applied early to a college and got deferred to regular decision. I'm trying to figure out what this means for my chances. Should I be sending more materials or updates, or just wait it out?

When you're deferred, it means that the admissions committee has decided to postpone the final review of your application until the regular decision round. While it can be disappointing not to receive a direct acceptance during the early decision/early action round, a deferral is not a rejection.

Being deferred essentially places you back into the pool with regular decision applicants. Your application will be reviewed again, and the admissions committee will make their decision based on how your profile compares with this wider, and often more competitive, pool of applicants.

As for your actions moving forward, sending an update depends highly on specifics. If you've had any significant achievements, improved grades, or any new awards following your initial application submission, it might be beneficial to send an update to the college. Admissions officers genuinely appreciate an applicant's continued interest in the institution, but make sure not to overwhelm them with excessive contact or irrelevant information.

However, it's also perfectly acceptable to simply wait it out. Most colleges do not require any additional information or updates after a deferral, but each college has its own policies, so be sure to check the specific guidelines of the school you applied to.

In the meantime, continue applying to other schools to keep your options open. A deferral is not a guarantee of acceptance during the regular decision round, so it's crucial to have other college options in mind. Good luck!