What is a deferral?

If you applied early to a US college (via Early Decision, which is binding, or Early Action, which isn't) you will normally hear from the college sometime in December, though this can be as late as February if you applied ED2. The college will usually admit or deny you, but there is another possible outcome: you get deferred.

Being deferred means that you haven't been denied a place, but that the college will reconsider your application alongside the regular decision pool. In other words, they've moved you out of the early round and into the regular round, where you'll be assessed against all the remaining applicants.

Deferral is a different outcome from being waitlisted, which happens later in the cycle. You can read more about waitlisting and how to handle it in our blog post here.

Is a deferral a good or bad thing?

It's a shame not to be admitted early, but it does mean you're still in the running. The college has decided you weren't quite as competitive as the other early applicants they admitted, but that there's a chance you could be competitive enough compared to the regular applicant pool. They'll make that decision once they've seen all the final applications.

What can I do to help my chances if I've been deferred?

The most important thing you can do is to write a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) to the college. As with a waitlist letter, you want to be concise and impactful, and you want to follow the college's specific guidance on whether they accept additional information and how it should be submitted.

What makes a good Letter of Continued Interest?

See below:

• Following universities' guidance. Not all colleges will want or accept additional materials after a deferral, so check this before sending. Also check whether they want it via email and to whom, or whether it should be uploaded through the application portal.
• Using a polite and polished style, and thanking the admissions office for continuing to consider your application.
• Stating specific reasons why this college remains your top choice. These should be the same kinds of things you might have raised in your supplemental essays, but avoid repeating those verbatim. You may need to do a bit more research into the university to do this well.
• Providing relevant updates about anything you've accomplished since you applied. Improved school grades, new courses, strong mock exam results, progress on a research project, Extended Essay or EPQ, sporting achievements, and new awards or honours all work well here. Connecting these accomplishments to specific programmes you're interested in at the university is a great way to demonstrate fit.

If your update includes improved grades or new academic honours, ask your school to send an Optional Report through the Common Application as well, so the college has it on the official record.

You should also continue demonstrating interest in the college, making it clear that you remain genuinely engaged with them.

How much of a chance do I have of being admitted now?

It's difficult to say, but probably no more or less of a chance than any other serious applicant in the regular round. You shouldn't assume that you have a better chance, or that you're just on the cusp of being admitted. You still have to prove yourself. Follow the advice above, stay positive, and work hard at school to maintain or improve your grades.

Should I apply to other colleges?

Yes. Being deferred is a useful signal that you may not ultimately be competitive for that college, or that the college may not be quite the right fit for you, so you should be looking seriously at other options. Hopefully you already have a well-rounded college list in progress. Many regular decision deadlines fall in early January, with some as late as early February, and there are also colleges with rolling admissions where you can apply right up to May and beyond.

Planning your future when deferred

Don't let being deferred put your future planning on hold. Taking control of your college trajectory can help you feel empowered in the process. Even with a strong LOCI, there's no guarantee you'll be admitted in the regular round, as a wide range of factors goes into final decisions. Keep working on your other applications, get excited about the other colleges on your list, and start thinking about your future at any of them.

If you need help with your LOCI, refining your college list, or thinking through your application strategy, our College Counselling team is here to support you. Don't hesitate to reach out to info@guidewellglobal.com and we'll be happy to help.