What does application deferred to regular decision mean?

I got a notification that my early action or early decision application was deferred to regular decision. What exactly does this mean for me, and how does it impact my chances of getting accepted in the regular pool?

When a college defers your early action or early decision application to the regular decision pool, it essentially means that they want more time to consider your application. Your application hasn't been rejected, but it also wasn't accepted in the initial review period. It is being rolled over into the regular admissions applicant pool to be evaluated again.

The impact on your chances of getting accepted into the regular decision pool is a bit more complex. If a school defers a large percentage of its early applicants to regular, it might be more difficult to gain admission in the next round because you'll be up against a much larger and competitive pool. But again, it's not an outright rejection. You still have a chance of acceptance.

Proactive steps are recommended at this stage. Consider sending a letter to the admissions office confirming your interest in the school, providing updates on new accomplishments or activities since your application was submitted, and reiterating why you believe the school is a great fit for you. Having a backup plan is also essential in case things don't pan out in the regular decision round. Good luck!