What does it mean when your application is deferred?

Hey everyone, I'm currently a junior and thinking about the application process that I'll be facing soon. I've heard about applications being deferred. Can someone please explain what that means and what the implications are? Thanks!

Hello! A deferral is when a college decides not to make a final admission decision on an Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) applicant and moves their application to the Regular Decision (RD) pool. The implication of deferral is that the college needs more time and information to evaluate before making a final admission decision.

There are a variety of reasons a college might defer an application. For instance, admissions officers could want to see updated grades or test scores, or compare the student's application with the broader regular applicant pool.

Once an application is deferred, it's treated like any other RD application. However, being deferred does not necessarily mean that your chances of acceptance have decreased. Colleges admit students from their deferred applicant pool every year.

If you find yourself in this situation, it's important to:

1. Maintain strong grades: Your academic performance still matters, so keep up the hard work in your senior year.

2. Update your application: Make sure to send a mid-year report with your grades from the first half of senior year. Submit any relevant updated test scores as well.

3. Demonstrate continued interest: Reach out to the college's admissions office to reiterate your interest in the school, attend virtual or on-campus events, and connect with current students or alumni if possible. You can also write a "letter of continued interest" (LOCI), expressing your enthusiasm and providing updates on any new awards or accomplishments in your extracurriculars. You can read more about how to write a strong LOCI on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/deferred-or-waitlisted-tips-for-writing-a-letter-of-continued-interest.

Remember, being deferred is not the same as being denied. While there's no guarantee of acceptance after deferral, your best bet (if you find yourself in this position) is to treat this outcome as an opportunity to continue showcasing your strengths and interest in the college.

Good luck with your application process!