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What is the meaning of 'deferred application' in college admissions?

Hey everyone! I've seen the phrase 'deferred application' mentioned in some threads here, and I'm a bit confused. Can someone explain what it means when a college defers an application? Like, what happens to your application if it's deferred? Thanks!

2 years ago

Hello! A 'deferred application' refers to a situation in the college admissions process where a decision on an applicant's Early Action (EA) or Early Decision (ED) application is postponed until the Regular Decision round. When a college defers an application, they're essentially saying that the student shows promise, but they want to see more applicants in the regular pool before making a final decision on their acceptance.

Once an application is deferred, the student's application will be considered along with all the Regular Decision applicants, and the final decision can be an acceptance, rejection, or waitlist. The specific timeline for this reconsideration varies by school, but usually, the applicant will receive a final decision by April.

For deferred applicants, it's typically a good idea to keep the college updated on any new accomplishments, awards, or updated grades during the period between the deferment and the regular decision notification date. This can help strengthen the student's application and potentially improve their chance of acceptance during the regular decision round.

Keep in mind, though, that deferment isn't a guarantee of acceptance or rejection but another opportunity to be considered among the pool of applicants. Good luck!

2 years ago

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