Deferred Application? What It Means and What To Do

Deferred from your dream school? Don’t panic — you're still in the game. But what do you do about it? This post breaks down what a deferral means, why it happens, and, most importantly, offers practical tips and insights for what to do next — to boost your chances of turning that “maybe” into a “yes.”

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When acceptance time rolls around, you’re most likely expecting to hear one of two answers — that you’ve been accepted, or rejected.

What most advisors don’t tell you is that there's as good a chance as any you could get deferred instead, meaning that if you applied Early Decision or Early Action, the college didn’t accept you during that cycle, but they do see potential in your application and will reevaluate it again during the Regular Decision cycle.

As a "maybe" it's frustrating, even if it's not a rejection.

The good news is that being deferred shows you might readily be accepted if there were more space available. So you can still get an offer during the regular round. And, when you're evaluated in the regular round, your early application will convey a strong demonstrated interest in attending this college, which could give you a small extra advantage.

The bad news is that at most highly ranked universities, with very few exceptions, your chances for admission in this later round will be, statistically speaking, significantly lower than in the early round because of the larger pool of applicants.

What are your chances of getting in?

There's not a simple answer. Across wide averages, roughly 10% of deferred students are later accepted in the Regular Decision round. But this number only means so much, because which university you are deferred from can make a big difference.

Some schools defer large percentages of students who aren't accepted; others may defer only very few students. Wondering about the school that deferred you? It may be hard to know what percentage of deferred students get accepted in the next round, and this could vary from one year to the next anyway. Check in with your Crimson strategist to see if they have specific insights for the college that deferred you.

What to do now?

If you get deferred, don’t freak out. There are steps you can take to make your application stand out and prove to the university that you deserve a spot in the incoming class.

1) Answer this very important question: do you still have a strong interest in attending this college?

This university might have been your dream school, but have things changed since you applied? If it’s still high on your list, then definitely don’t give up! All good things are worth fighting for.

2) Tell your counselor and strategist

Your school guidance counselor and Crimson strategist may help you make the best decision about what to do next. And, if you do decide you want to try to get an offer in the Regular Decision round, your school counselor needs to know — they may need to send in your mid year/final report by early January.

3) Read your mail and email

Watch for communications from the college and pay attention to any instructions they send to you. Follow any requirements they outline, including timelines and deadlines, especially if it relates to sending an official academic update, a letter of continued interest, or similar step.

If you're finding the guidance you expected from the college, or have questions, reach out to your admissions contact at the college, or contact the admissions office, for more information and guidance.

4) Write a letter of continued interest

If this college is your top choice, you should write a letter of continued interest (LOCI).

Tips for your LOCI:

• Be concise: keep the letter (email) to about one page.
• Clearly reaffirm that you still have a very strong interest in attending the college.
• Share any meaningful updates related to crucial application components (grades, SAT/ACT test scores, extracurricular involvement, academic honors...).
• These letters are typically sent between end of December and the end of January.

Important note: Some schools may have more specific guidelines or requirements for what to report in your letter, or for how to format it or submit it, or whom or where to send it to. You may be asked to submit a form in lieu of a letter (email). These guidelines are probably in your deferral notification, and you may find additional instructions on the school portal.

You can learn more about LOCIs here: How To Write a Winning LOCI After Deferral or Waitlist

5) Update your application strategy for the regular decision round

Since you don't have a definite "yes" from your EA/ED college, it's a good time to decide if you have a solid application strategy for the Regular Decision round. In particular, make sure you've identified at least two target schools and two safety schools that are good choices for your goals and interests, in addition to any reach schools. And, be sure you've got a realistic timeline for submitting strong applications to all of them. This way, you're almost certain to get into some schools you're excited about even if you get rejected or waitlisted from others.

Final Thoughts

Getting deferred can feel like a setback at first — but it’s far from the end of the road. Remember, a deferral means the admissions committee sees promise in your application. And, while you're not in the door, you're at the door.

This means it's not time to lose momentum. By staying proactive, updating your application thoughtfully, and crafting a strong letter of continued interest, you might just turn that deferral into an offer.

Need help?

Right now you can get LOCI coaching and targeted advising to help you convert your deferral into an acceptance. One of our friendly advisors will be happy to give you more information so you can decide if this service is right for you. Schedule a free feedback session to learn more.