What is a college deferral?

Hey! I've heard people mention college deferrals before, but I'm not sure I understand what they are. Can somebody please explain the concept to me and why someone would get one? Thanks!

Hello! A college deferral is when a student who has applied to a college through an Early Decision (ED) or Early Action (EA) program doesn't receive an acceptance or rejection but instead has their application moved into the Regular Decision (RD) applicant pool. Essentially, the college decides to wait to make a final decision on their application.

There are a few reasons why a college might defer an applicant:

1. Need for additional information: The admissions committee might feel they need to see additional information, such as updated grades, to make a more informed decision.

2. Contextualize applicants: Deferring an early applicant allows the college to review their application alongside the RD pool, providing a larger context in which to evaluate the applicant's competitiveness.

3. Demonstrated interest: In some cases, colleges want to see if a deferred applicant remains genuinely interested in attending their institution, so they may look for signs of demonstrated interest, such as additional essays or outreach to admissions representatives.

It's important to note that being deferred does not mean an applicant has been rejected. Deferred applicants still have a chance to be admitted in the RD round. If you find yourself deferred, it's a good idea to update the college with any new relevant information, such as improved grades, new awards, or significant extracurricular accomplishments. You can also reaffirm your interest in the school by writing a letter of continued interest or reaching out to the admissions office. This can help improve your chances of being admitted during the RD round.

I hope this clears up the concept of college deferrals for you!