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So you sent an early application to your dream school. You were refreshing your email, only to be informed that your application is being reconsidered for the regular admissions period. If that’s the case, it is likely that your application has been deferred.
If that’s you, take a deep breath. Being deferred doesn’t mean you failed. It just means the school wants to look at your application again during the regular round of admissions; you still have a shot.
In this article, we’ll go through the reasons as to why you could have been deferred and ways to create a backup plan for your application.
Before a Deferral
Submitting an early application to college has several advantages. For one, some universities may reserve extra spots for early applicants, which can make acceptance rates slightly higher compared to the regular admissions round. In addition, submitting an early application shows your school of choice that you are keenly interested in pursuing a degree from their selection of programs. Your early application communicates to them that they are your top choice for college.
As you know, there are different types of early application that you can pursue, and the one you choose can affect your chances of successfully getting admitted.
- Early action (EA): Applications that are non-committal, allowing flexibility to consider other schools before making a final decision.
- Early decision (ED): ED applications indicate that you intend to enroll in the university you applied to and must commit to doing so should you be accepted.
Universities usually specify which type they are offering to incoming students, so we recommend that you carefully go through their guidelines and provisions. This way, you can make a more informed choice about whether to apply early and which school is truly your top pick.
Despite these options, your early application can still be moved to the regular admissions period. Deferrals only happen with early applications, and this decision usually happens when the university thinks your submission is still missing certain qualities they’re looking for. In some cases, it can simply be because the university did not receive enough early applicants and wants to wait for the regular round to compare everyone fairly. Several other factors and statistics can also be at play and can influence the deferral of your application.
Common Reasons for Deferral
Ivy League universities often defer their early applicants to the regular season for a variety of reasons.
According to The Harvard Crimson, 83% of Harvard early applicants are deferred. At Yale University, 17% of early applicants are deferred, while 71% were denied. At times, deferrals happen because the admissions team may need more data from a larger selection of applicants before they can arrive at a final decision.
In such a competitive academic environment, universities carefully review your submissions to ensure that your grades and experiences are up to par with their standards. The following can be possible reasons if you got deferred:
GPA
As you may be currently in your senior year, the university may ask you to submit your current grades or academic standing as a basis for your admission. It is therefore important that your grades meet the standards of the school you’re applying to and demonstrate your strengths across several subjects.
Missing extracurriculars
Aside from stellar grades, prestigious universities require an intimidating list of your extracurricular involvement, may it be leadership roles, contributions to the community, or even a portfolio of your activities. Many students are actively competing for high positions in their local organizations and are actively building up their resumes. If your application lacks this, the admissions team may defer you to see how yours would compare with the other applicants’ experiences.
Misalignment with the college’s values
If, by any chance, your record indicates demerits or infractions, these factors may negatively impact your admission results.
What’s the Difference with Waitlisting?
Being waitlisted is when your application is still being decided upon by the university, despite results already coming out. Unlike deferrals, which usually happen with early applications, waitlisting can happen during the regular admissions season. It might feel disappointing, but being waitlisted is not a flat-out “no.”
Some universities will check if you are still interested and may give you instructions on how to improve your application. They could ask for supporting documents, such as letters of recommendation or even an update on your grades and recent achievements. As such, it is important to prepare a backup plan.
Creating a Backup Plan
Admissions officers want students with outstanding talents, grades, achievements, and experiences. The competition among thousands of applicants is often steep, and many are constantly working on their resumes and portfolios to increase their chances of being accepted into their top choices. Creating a backup plan sets you up for success, especially if your application has been deferred. It offers a way to showcase your experiences and skills, providing a safety net for your plans of study.
Sending a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)
A letter of continued interest (LOCI) is one that you send to the admissions office, indicating that you are still interested in attending the school and pursuing a degree under their curriculum. You can send this letter after you’re notified of being deferred or waitlisted.
If you are unsure of what to write or say, here are some things to consider before writing your LOCI:
- Reflect deeply on your level of interest or enthusiasm in attending your top-choice.
- Think about what you haven’t already included in your existing application. New information is incredibly crucial for your LOCI; it will show how you stayed competitive by improving your stats throughout the application season.
- Reconsider the question: Why do you want to attend this college?
Now that you’ve reflected on your whys and thought about new information you’d like to include, it is time to write your LOCI. If you are struggling with how to begin, here are some general guidelines to help you start drafting:
- Start by offering thanks to the admissions team for considering your application. This shows good character, and it helps reinforce a positive impression of you as an applicant
- Reiterate that their school remains your top choice. What about their programs are appealing to you? Do you share similar values with the school? Be detailed and sincere. At the same time, keep your tone confident and composed, and express genuine enthusiasm without sounding desperate.
- Focus on new information. This is the most important part of your letter because it informs the school of what has changed since you first applied, new awards, research progress, improved grades, and so on. Show that you took initiative and made concrete efforts to strengthen your academic or extracurricular profile. You may also be selective about the information you wish to mention, choosing only those that are relevant to your intended program. When you list an achievement, you may explain how it helped you grow as a student and as a person. Overall, your goal is to show how you have been proactive in building up your experiences, resume, and portfolio since your first application.
- If possible, visit the school and briefly include what you liked about their community and campus. Doing this and writing about your gives the admissions team an impression that you are really keen on attending their institution.
- Let them know how you can contribute to their school community. How have your past roles in clubs and organizations shaped who you are? How will your experiences be favorable toward the school? Reflect on these things and talk about them generously in your letter.
- Conclude your letter creatively. You may sign off in a manner unique to you.
Updating Your Application or Portfolio
Aside from writing the LOCI, you may also choose to submit updated materials. This can include your grades, especially those from your senior year that weren’t part of your original application, as well as new roles, community initiatives, and any pursuits outside the school that you’ve worked on recently.
If you’re submitting these updates separately from your LOCI, avoid repeating the same details in both. Each submission should add something new and strengthen your overall application.
Sending a Letter of Recommendation from a Trusted Teacher
Some universities may require you to send a letter of recommendation in your first application. However, should it be deferred, the school may ask for a follow-up letter to help strengthen your application. Some colleges have a specified format that you may download and send to your recommender, while others may simply require a free format letter.
When asking a teacher who you trust or have a good, professional relationship with, it is advisable to ask them at least a week before the deadline for the letter of recommendation. This gives them ample time to reflect on your strengths and write a compelling letter.
Upon asking your teacher to write up a recommendation for you, it is important to update them of your achievements, experiences and roles in any sports or organizations, and even your academic standing. These bits of information will help them create a more informed, well-rounded, and favorable letter that represents your excellence.
Considering Other Choices for College
When you are pursing Early Action at a college, it’s wise to not put all your eggs in one basket. Exploring other universities and having a second or even third option as safety net can give you more flexibility and peace of mind. Plenty of universities open early applications, and many may offer similar programs and courses (or even the exact one) as the degree you are applying for at your top choice.
Don’t Worry: Deferral is Not the End
Although deferrals can often be perceived as a form of rejection, it is important to remember that this process is another opportunity to be accepted into your dream school. Your college journey isn’t over; it’s just getting started.
If you are worried about your deferral or would like to improve your resume and portfolio, our consultants at Ivy Talent Education are here to help! For more information or directions on how to write the LOCI or improve your portfolio, we are happy to offer personalized advice and prompts for improving your application. We will help you strategically compile your achievements and offer guidance for linking them to what your dream university is looking for.
Ready to get that “Accepted” email? Reach out to Ivy Talent Education for support and directions as you navigate your application.
