Is Being Deferred Bad?

Hey everyone, I just got deferred from my dream college's early action round. I'm feeling a bit down about it, and I'm wondering if being deferred is a bad sign or if there is still hope for my application? Could those of you who have experienced this share your insights? Thanks!

Being deferred definitely isn’t ideal, as the regular decision round is typically more competitive than the early round, but it’s important to remember it’s not a rejection either. There is still hope for your application!

Colleges defer students for a variety of reasons. Sometimes they'd like to see how you perform in the first semester of senior year, or perhaps they just need more time to evaluate your application within the context of the regular decision applicant pool.

Meanwhile, you can take steps to increase your chances of being admitted in the regular decision round. Make sure to send your updated transcript to the college. Additionally, consider writing a letter of continued interest to the college, in which you can express your passion for the school, communicate any updates or accomplishments, and explain why it remains your top choice. You can read more about how to write a strong letter of continued interest on CollegeVine’s blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/deferred-or-waitlisted-tips-for-writing-a-letter-of-continued-interest.

Remember that deferral is not the end of the road for your application at your dream school. Use this opportunity to reiterate your strong interest and showcase your most recent achievements, but do keep an open mind about other colleges you apply to as well—while there’s nothing wrong with staying optimistic, there’s no guarantee of acceptance after deferral, and you want to make sure you have options you’re genuinely excited about come springtime. Good luck!