Can someone explain deferral in a university context?

Hi all! I've heard the term deferral being used in the context of university admissions, but I'm not entirely clear on its meaning. Can someone break it down for me? Is it something that I should be concerned about when applying to colleges?

Deferral, in the context of university admissions, is a decision by a college or university to postpone a final decision on an applicant's admission status. This usually occurs when a student applies under an Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) plan, and the admissions committee needs additional time to review their application in comparison to the larger pool of Regular Decision (RD) applicants.

Here's a quick breakdown of the two most common scenarios where deferral comes into play:

1. Early Application Deferral: When a student applies through EA/ED and the institution decides they want more time to review their application, they may defer the applicant to the RD pool. It simply means the student will be considered along with all the other RD applicants, and their final decision will be conveyed during the RD notification period.

2. Gap Year Deferral: This refers to when a student has already been admitted to a college but wishes to take a year off before beginning their studies, commonly known as a gap year. In this case, they may request a deferral from the institution, which, if approved, would allow them to start their studies in the subsequent academic year.

If you're applying to colleges, a deferral is not necessarily something to be concerned about. Being deferred after applying under an EA or ED plan does not mean a rejection; it simply means your application will be considered within the larger RD applicant pool, and you may still be admitted later on. Just ensure that you continue to focus on the quality of your application, and if you end up deferred, use that time to enhance your application or consider other college options.

For those considering a gap year, it's important to research each college's deferral policies and clarify if they are open to approving deferrals, as well as the steps to take for requesting a deferral and the requirements or expectations during the gap year.