Are deferred students prioritized in regular decision?

If you're deferred in the early decision round, does that mean you'll have a better chance during regular decision? I'm curious if being deferred gives any advantage or if it harms your chances at all.

Deferred applicants do not necessarily have an advantage or disadvantage during the Regular Decision (RD) round. The process of deferral puts your application back into the pool to be reviewed again with the RD applicants.

Deferred applications are re-evaluated in the context of the RD applicant pool, which could be much larger and potentially more competitive. So, it could potentially be harder to stand out. However, this isn't always the case, and the outcomes can vary based on the individual applicant and the specific school.

What can help your case as a deferred applicant is showing continued interest in the school and keeping them updated with any new achievements or progress since your initial application. You can send an update letter to the admissions office, elaborating on your interest in the school and any new developments or accomplishments. Just make sure to take note of any specific instructions from the school regarding sending updates or additional materials, as it varies by college.

Remember, a deferral is not a rejection. The college saw potential in your application during the ED/EA round and they want to give you another look in the RD round. Good luck with your application!