What Does a Deferral Mean?

Hi! I'm applying to colleges this year and I've heard about something called a deferral. Can someone explain to me what exactly a deferral is and what it means for someone who gets deferred from their dream college? Is there anything I can do if I get deferred?

Hello! A deferral is when a college decides to move an applicant from the Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) pool to the Regular Decision (RD) pool for further consideration. This typically happens because the admissions committee believes that they want to see how the applicant compares to the larger RD applicant pool before making a decision on whether to accept or reject them.

Being deferred from your dream college means that you are neither accepted nor rejected during the early round. Your application will now be reevaluated alongside the RD applicants, and you might receive an acceptance, waitlist, or rejection during the RD decision release.

If you've been deferred from your dream school, there are a few steps you can take to potentially improve your chances during RD:

1. Send a thoughtful Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI): In this letter, you can share any updates on academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and awards you've received since applying. Express your continued interest in attending the school, and explain why you believe you would be a good fit.

2. Maintain strong grades: Your senior-year grades are still important, and demonstrating consistent academic performance can make a difference in the RD round.

3. Seek additional recommendations: If there's a teacher, coach, or mentor who can provide further insight into your strengths and share additional context on your qualities, ask them to write you a supplemental recommendation letter. Make sure it provides new information and perspective, not just reiterating what's already in your application.

4. Stay involved in extracurricular activities: Continue to show your commitment and passion in your activities, taking on leadership roles or accomplishing significant milestones if possible.

Remember, a deferral is not a rejection; it means your application still has a chance, so do your best to demonstrate your ongoing passion and potential to thrive at that college. Good luck!