What to do when you get Deferred

Many selective colleges have seen their application numbers skyrocket this fall in their early decision and early action periods. As a result, a large number of very qualified students are getting news that isn’t exactly what they were hoping to hear:  instead of a letter of admission, they’re being deferred to the regular decision pool. 

Deferral has been a tool utilized by admissions offices for years to manage their selection process and it will get used even more this cycle. Admissions offices are already over-loaded, and they are not looking to make more work for themselves; by postponing an application into the larger regular decision pool, they are committed to going through the evaluation process on an application all over again. In other words, they aren’t deferring an applicant simply to be nice – there is still hope. Indeed, a small number of deferred students to selective schools typically do get admitted in regular decision every year, and that will certainly be the case this year. But the deferral is a sign that there is some level of uncertainty on the part of the admissions office and students should attempt to provide more information to inspire the admissions office to act affirmatively.

What should a student do?  The most important step is to follow up with the admissions office to express your continued interest. But you should do so with a strategy and purpose:

1.     Build your resume. Let them know of new achievements and accomplishments that have happened since your application.  Be sure to give them new material about yourself to add to your application file!

2.     Seek 1-2 new letters of reference. You probably had teachers at your school write letters in your initial application. Consider finding a former boss, a community leader you’ve worked with, or even a teacher you had earlier in your high school career to add their voices to those writing great things about you. 

When you do reach out to the school, plan to reach out once. Your letter will have more power if you send along a single update, as opposed to several smaller updates. And read the deferral notice carefully to see if they give instructions on where to send any new materials. If they don’t, email the admissions office directly with your update.

Keep in mind that schools won’t review your application again until February, or maybe even March. They need to begin reviewing the rest of the regular decision pool before they go back to your application. Resist the temptation to send something to them right away. Send out your correspondence in mid-January, preferably after your most recent semester grades are finalized, and when you’ve had a chance to reflect on where this school stands on your list. This will also give you time to update your resume and craft a letter that highlights your new accomplishments while affirming your continued excitement about that school.

Here are a few other things to keep in mind if you get a deferral letter:

· Don’t be discouraged. This is an unusual admissions cycle due to the pandemic. Although a deferral is certainly a reminder to be realistic about competitive college admissions, your application will be reviewed again and now you have an opportunity to add to it.

· Focus first on the other schools on your regular decision list and make sure to get those applications completed on time! Make sure to give yourself time to put your best foot forward with them.

· Keep an open mind. Countless students have been deferred in early decision, and then eventually admitted by that school in regular decision…only to decide to go somewhere else in regular decision! Rather than see a deferral as a setback, this is an opportunity to take a second look at your assumptions and priorities about college. You may discover another school on your list that is an even better fit!

· Keep working hard in school.  All of your colleges will be looking at your mid-year grades. And the school that deferred you may have done so because they want to see how you are doing in your senior year courses before making a final decision. Don’t let the deferral stop you from getting the most out of school and your favorite activities. 

2020 has disrupted our lives in so many ways. Many students applied early to get certainty amidst all the chaos of this past year. Receiving a deferral can feel deflating. But it is also an opportunity and far from the end of the road. As with every step in the application process, be thoughtful and purposeful in communicating your goals and dreams to the schools on your list and make the most of the time you still have to find the right college!