What to Do If You’re Deferred in Early Action or Early Decision: A Complete Guide

Every year, thousands of students submit their most heartfelt applications to selective universities through Early Action (EA) or Early Decision (ED), hoping to secure a spot before the regular admission frenzy. But amid the excitement, many applicants receive a decision that feels confusing and frustrating: a deferral.

If you have been deferred, take a breath. A deferral is not a rejection. It is an invitation to continue the conversation — and if you play your cards right, it can lead to an eventual offer of admission. This guide breaks down what a deferral means, why it happens, and what smart, proactive steps you can take next.

What Is a Deferral?

A deferral occurs when a college decides to postpone your Early Action or Early Decision application to the Regular Decision pool. Instead of giving you an early “yes” or “no,” the admissions office wants to reconsider your application alongside the larger applicant group arriving in January.

In simple terms, a deferral means:

• Your application is still alive.

• The college sees potential.

• They want more context, more evidence, or more time.

A deferred application will be reviewed again during the regular cycle, often with fresh eyes and possibly by a different admissions officer.

Why Was I Deferred?

A deferral is rarely about a single flaw in your application. In most cases, it is about context and competition.

Here are the most common reasons students are deferred:

1. Your Academic Profile Is Strong, But Needs Confirmation

Some colleges want to see first-semester or mid-year grades before finalising a decision. If you’re taking rigorous courses, they may want proof that you can sustain performance.

2. The Applicant Pool Was Extremely Competitive

Early rounds tend to attract high-achieving students. If a college already admitted a certain number of applicants early, they might defer strong candidates to maintain balance in the incoming class.

3. They Want to Re-Evaluate You in the Regular Pool

Admissions offices often defer students they feel optimistic about but want to compare more holistically with the larger group.

4. Something in Your Application Didn’t Fully Align

You may be strong academically but lacked depth in extracurriculars — or vice versa. A deferral allows the admissions team to see whether other applicants fill that gap or whether you stand out more later.

5. They Want to Gauge Continued Interest

In the case of selective private universities, demonstrating ongoing interest can matter. A thoughtful follow-up letter, additional achievements, and communication can tip you into the admit pile later.

6. Institutional Priorities Shift

Colleges admit based on strategic needs — academic interests, geography, diversity, arts/sports talent, financial aid balancing. Sometimes you fit these priorities better in the regular cycle than early.

Deferrals: Next Steps

Once you’ve been deferred, your next moves should be strategic. Many students make the mistake of overreacting — bombarding admissions offices with documents, emails, and updates.

Your goal is to show growth, maturity, continuity, and commitment, not desperation.

Right After You’ve Been Deferred (First 1–2 Weeks)

1. Read Your Deferral Letter Carefully

Some colleges provide instructions on what they want next: midyear grades, an update form, or a statement of continued interest. Follow these instructions exactly. Deviating from them can hurt your chances.

2. Recommit to Academic Excellence

Your first-semester grades matter more than ever. They serve as the strongest piece of new evidence in your favour. Work hard, avoid senior-year dips, and aim to show an upward trend if you are borderline.

3. Prepare a Strong Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI)

This is the single most important action you can take post-deferral. A LOCI:

• Reaffirms your interest in the college

• Shares new achievements since applying

• Updates the admissions team on your academic progress

• Shows maturity, clarity, and self-awareness

Keep it professional, concise, and genuinely enthusiastic.

4. Update Your High School Counselor

Your counselor may be able to send additional context, recommendations, or updated grades. A quick conversation helps align your strategy with someone who can advocate for you.

5. Reflect Honestly on Your Application

What areas could be strengthened?

• Academic rigour

• Test scores

• Essays

• Extracurricular depth

• Demonstrated interest

Being realistic helps you plan a better Regular Decision strategy, both for the deferred college and others on your list.

In Late January (After You Have New Information)

By late January, you will typically have:

• First-semester grades

• New awards, leadership roles, or project updates

• Standardised test improvements (if applicable)

• New extracurricular progress

Here’s what you should do at this stage:

1. Submit Midyear Grades Promptly

Many colleges emphasise this. Strong performance can significantly improve your chances.

2. Send a Final, Polished Update or LOCI (If Allowed)

Avoid sending multiple letters unless explicitly permitted. A single comprehensive update is better.

Include:

• Two or three academic highlights

• Any measurable achievements

• Updates on major projects, research, apps, or competitions

• Reinforcing (not repeating) why the college is your top choice

• A mature closing statement

3. Let the College See Your Growth Curve

Admissions officers pay close attention to momentum. If your first-semester grades improve or your leadership deepens, it signals readiness for college rigor.

4. Strengthen Other Regular Applications

A deferral is a great moment to revisit your other applications. Many students ultimately attend a school they did not prioritise early — and thrive there.

How to Email an Admissions Officer for an Update

If the college permits communication, emailing an admissions officer can be appropriate. Keep these principles in mind:

1. Be Respectful and Concise

Admissions officers read hundreds of emails daily.

2. Follow the College’s Instructions

If the school forbids additional communication, do not send an email.

3. Use a Professional Tone

Make sure your message reflects maturity and clarity.

Sample Email Template

Subject: Update and Continued Interest – [Your Full Name], [Application ID]

Dear [Admissions Officer’s Name],
I hope you are well. I wanted to thank you for taking the time to review my Early [Action/Decision] application to [University Name]. I remain deeply interested in the programme due to [one brief, specific reason].

Since submitting my application, I would like to share a few updates:

• [New academic achievement]

• [Extracurricular or leadership update]

• [Award, competition result, or project progress]

I continue to feel that [University Name] is the best fit for my academic goals and personal growth, particularly because of [another brief, concrete reason].

Thank you again for reconsidering my application in the Regular Decision round. Please let me know if I can provide any additional information.

Warm regards,
[Your Name]
[High School]
[Application ID]

You can find more tips on writing emails to admission officers in our previous newsletter:

Do Deferred Applicants Get Accepted in the End?

Yes — many do.

Your chances will depend on the specific college. Here is what general admissions data shows:

1. Selective Colleges Admit a Meaningful Portion of Deferred Students

For example, schools like:

• Harvard

• Brown

• UChicago

• Michigan

• Georgia Tech

all regularly admit deferred applicants in the Regular Decision round.

Typical acceptance rates for deferred applicants range between 5% and 15%, depending on the year.

2. Demonstrated Interest Can Help at Some Colleges

Private universities that consider interest may reward well-crafted LOCIs and continued engagement.

3. Strong Midyear Grades Matter Immensely

Many deferred applicants who ultimately get accepted show improved academic performance.

4. A Deferral Often Means You’re Very Close

If you were completely out of range, you would likely have been rejected, not deferred.

Final Thoughts

Being deferred from your Early Action or Early Decision college can feel discouraging, but it is not the end of your admissions journey. A deferral is an opportunity — a pause, not a full stop.

What matters most now is how you respond:

• Stay academically strong.

• Send thoughtful, strategic updates.

• Demonstrate genuine interest (if appropriate).

• Strengthen your Regular Decision applications.

• Maintain perspective: a deferral is not a reflection of your worth or potential.

Many students who are deferred ultimately get admitted, and many who do not still find extraordinary success at universities they once considered backups.

You control your next steps. Make them count.

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Amol & Nishant,

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