Few processes in the landscape of highly selective college admissions can be compared to the precariousness of middle school crushes, but when I think of a college admissions deferral, that is exactly what comes to mind. Recall the note passed behind the teacher’s back with the simple question: Do you like _____ (name of daily crush)? Then the inevitable three boxes, of which the object of affection chose one: No, Yes, or Maybe. The biggest conundrum was always the maybe…was it that your true love wanted to let you down easy? Were they unsure? Too bashful to say yes? Something else? The gaggle of giggling teens at the lunch table considered the possibility, only to be distracted moments later by cold pizza and smarties, the next crush waiting in the wings. Minus the giggles and bad cafeteria food, the deferral can be equally as confusing as the checked box of MAYBE. Let’s take a quick look at what it means to get a deferral letter, understand why it happens, and what to do if this box is checked for you.
What does a college deferral mean?
A deferral is the reconsideration of an early decision/action student’s college application in the regular decision round of the admissions cycle. Many schools offer decisions in ‘rounds’, either early decision (which is binding) or early action (which is not). Deadlines for these early rounds are usually months before the ‘regular decision’ round, and will yield answers much sooner. A deferral isn’t necessarily bad news, but it lets a student know that their application will be considered again once all applications have been submitted.
Top reasons colleges defer students:
Though only slightly more understandable than a middle-schooler’s affections, there are indeed a few common reasons why a student might get a deferral. These include:
The student is a strong candidate, but the college wants to see if even stronger students will apply. Remember, above all, colleges are businesses, and they want to brag that they have students with the strongest GPA/test scores/class ranks, etc.
The student is borderline, and the admissions committee is taking a ‘wait and see’ approach to the student’s 1st semester senior year grades or accomplishments.
The college is prioritizing ethnic/geographical diversity and is unsure where you may fit into that picture.
The student is an excellent candidate that did not demonstrate interest in the school. The school is protecting their yield because they doubt the student will accept an offer of admission.
Occasionally, the college received many more applications than expected, and therefore did not have enough readers to review the early round applicants (very rare).
Next steps after a college deferral:
If you applied early decision (binding), you are off the hook for that binding agreement. Most of our Access College America students apply early action (non-binding) - so here is our best advice for what to do if deferred:
Reply immediately to the office of admissions with a simple, short email letting them know that you are still interested in their school. Something along the lines of - It is still your top choice, and you are grateful to still be considered.
Keep your grades as high as possible, and strive for leadership and additional accomplishments at school. Send an update at the semester if applicable.
Compose a LOCI, or Letter of Continued Interest. It should contain a sentence or two of appreciation for the hard work of the admissions officers, another mention that this is your first choice college, the addition of any new information (see #2 - improved grades or accolades), and an additional letter of recommendation or two, unless you are specifically instructed not to provide them.
In some cases, you may wish to have your school counselor call the admissions office on your behalf and ask for feedback.
Keep the deferral in perspective!
There will be a temptation to take it personally if a deferral comes your way. I implore you not to. Please understand that this is in no way a value judgement on you, but a business decision on the part of the school. Ultimately, the institution you end up attending is not a measure of your success in life. In my opinion, it is always better to go to a party that would be elated to have you attend. If you submitted to a balanced college list, this deferral may be as fleeting a concern as middle school affections. Rest assured you will have plenty of choices who checked the YES box!
FAQ's: College Deferral and What to do Next:
1. What does a college deferral mean?
A college deferral means that your application, which was submitted during the early decision or early action round, has been moved to the regular decision pool for further review. It is not a rejection, but rather a “wait and see” decision by the admissions committee.
2. Is a deferral better than a rejection?
Yes! A deferral means you still have a chance of being admitted. Unlike a rejection, where your application is no longer considered, a deferral allows you to strengthen your candidacy by updating your application with improved grades, additional achievements, and a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI).
3. Why do colleges defer students?
Colleges defer students for several reasons, including:
They want to compare your application to the regular decision pool.
They need to see your first-semester senior year grades.
They suspect you may not enroll (low demonstrated interest).
They are balancing geographic or demographic diversity.
The admissions office received more applications than expected.
4. What should I do if I get deferred from college?
Here are four key steps to take after a deferral:
Send a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) reaffirming your enthusiasm for the school and updating them on recent achievements.
Maintain or improve your grades to show strong academic performance.
Submit any new honors, awards, or leadership roles that strengthen your application.
Have your school counselor reach out to the admissions office for additional insights.
5. Can I submit additional recommendation letters after being deferred?
Yes, but only if the college allows it. Some colleges welcome an extra letter, while others specifically ask applicants not to send more materials. Always check the school’s deferral instructions before submitting anything additional.
6. Does a deferral mean I have a good chance of getting in?
It depends on the college and its admissions process. Some schools accept a large percentage of deferred students in the regular round, while others admit very few. Research the deferral statistics for your specific college to understand your chances.
7. Should I apply to other schools if I get deferred?
Absolutely! A deferral means you should continue applying to other schools on your college list. It’s important to have backup options in case the deferred school does not admit you in the regular round.
8. How do I write a strong Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)?
A great LOCI should: Be concise (1 page max), express continued enthusiasm for the college, highlight new achievements since applying, thhank the admissions office for their time, and avoid begging or complaining.
9. When will I find out if I’ve been accepted after a deferral?
Deferred students typically receive their final admissions decision with the regular decision applicants in March or April.
10. Where can I get help with college applications and deferrals?
Access College America specializes in college admissions strategy, including deferrals, waitlists, and crafting strong Letters of Continued Interest. Book a Discovery Call today to get expert guidance on your next steps!
For guidance on balancing your list, college research, highly selective college admissions, essay writing and more, book your DISCOVERY CALL with Access College America today!
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