NYU Early Decision Deferral: What to expect?

Hey everyone, I applied to NYU via Early Decision, but I was deferred. Can anyone tell me what to expect from this process and what my chances are of eventually getting accepted? Any tips for improving my chances would be awesome too!

Hi there! Being deferred in the Early Decision round can be a bit confusing, but let me help clarify what this means and some steps you can take to potentially improve your chances. When you're deferred during Early Decision, you'll be evaluated along with the Regular Decision applicants, and your decision will be deferred until the Regular Decision timeline. If you're eventually accepted, you are also no longer held by the binding ED agreement - you can weigh your offer of acceptance against any others you have received.

In terms of your chances of eventually being accepted, it's difficult to predict, because it's dependent on how the overall applicant pool looks in the Regular Decision round. However, being deferred doesn't mean that all hope is lost, so don't give up!

To improve your chances, consider taking the following steps:

1. Keep up with good grades: Make sure to maintain a strong academic performance in your senior year, as admissions officers will request your mid-year transcripts when they reevaluate your candidacy.

2. Write a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI): This letter should express your strong interest in attending NYU and update them on any new achievements, awards, or activities you have been involved in since submitting your initial application. Keep it concise and genuine. You can read more about how to write this kind of letter on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/deferred-or-waitlisted-tips-for-writing-a-letter-of-continued-interest.

3. Send updated test scores (if applicable): If you have retaken standardized tests like the SAT or ACT and scored significantly higher since submitting your application, consider updating NYU with those new scores. Though they may not be a deciding factor, it could add some weight to your application.

4. Request an additional letter of recommendation (optional): If you have a strong relationship with a teacher, counselor, or mentor who can provide a new perspective on your strengths and accomplishments, consider requesting an additional letter of recommendation. However, make sure not to overwhelm the admissions office with too many recommendations - only do this if it's genuinely going to add something to NYU's understanding of who you are.

5. Stay involved: Continue participating in your extracurricular activities and seek opportunities to showcase leadership or dedication to your interests.

Remember, what happens after deferral can be quite unpredictable, and there are no guarantees, but following these steps may help to demonstrate your continued commitment and interest in NYU. Best of luck!