Hello everyone, I was wondering what happens if a school doesn't accept or reject my Early Decision application. Can they defer me to the regular decision pool, or is this not allowed? Any help would be appreciated!
Hello! Yes, a college can defer your Early Decision application to the regular decision pool if they don’t feel ready to admit or reject you outright at that time.
When this happens, your application will be reconsidered alongside the regular decision applicants, and you'll receive a final decision by the regular decision notification deadline. It's important to note that if you applied Early Decision, which is binding, and you're deferred to the regular decision pool, the commitment to enroll if accepted is no longer binding. If you're accepted, the fact that you originally applied ED doesn't affect anything, and you'll be able to choose between that school and all the others at which you were accepted.
If you are deferred and still feel strongly about a particular school, we recommend writing a deferral letter, to express your continued interest in the school. You can read more about how to write a strong one here: https://blog.collegevine.com/deferred-or-waitlisted-tips-for-writing-a-letter-of-continued-interest
Keep in mind, every college's policies might vary slightly, so it's always a good idea to read up on the specific Early Decision policies and procedures for the school you're applying to. Best of luck with your application process!
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