As the first wave of Early Action (EA) and Early Decision (ED) results arrive in the first few weeks of December, many students may be deferred from the school of their dreams. By being deferred, the college is telling you that it has been unable to make a final decision on your application. You may be within its profile of admitted students but not near the top. The school is essentially holding onto your application to see how you will compare to its regular decision applications. Being deferred can be disappointing and confusing, but here is our Great College Advice on what to do if you are deferred.
Email a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) if your college application is deferred
Some schools may have specifically asked you not to contact them. If that is the case then there is likely not a specific reason why you were deferred. There may be little you can do to increase your chances for acceptance during the regular decision round. Some colleges do not want you to send letters; rather they want you to update information in their admissions portal for them. These updates may include checking a box that you still want your application to be reviewed in the Regular Decision round, as well as space for more information. However, for many colleges, you should send a Letter of Continued Interest to the regional admissions representative in charge of your application. Here is what you should include in your letter:
Send updated grades if it will help your case
Most colleges will require you to submit an official semester grade report. If you did have a low grade on your first quarter grade report and your grade has improved, then certainly let your colleges know. If you are still struggling in the class ask the teacher to write you a letter of recommendation. The letter should illustrate the steps you have taken to improve your grade (i.e. tutoring, seeking help with questions outside of class, etc.).
Submit additional materials that are relevant
Some colleges may ask you not to submit additional materials. Some colleges will encourage additional letters of recommendation, as well as updates on awards and activities and further information on the student’s interest in the school. It is fine to ask teachers, counselors, employers, etc. to send additional letters of recommendation to the college.
If you have received an award or recognition since you submitted your application, tell them about it. This is not the time to be modest! Perhaps you have been cast as the lead in the musical, appointed to a community board, or you did a bunch of volunteering over the holidays. Please share whatever information you can give to colleges that is new since you submitted your application.
Inquire as to why you were deferred
Whether in the letter or through a call to the admissions representation, reach out and politely ask if any detail can be provided as to why you were deferred. This admissions officer will have the most accurate account of why you were deferred. The admissions rep may have a question about a specific grade, or your application may have been incomplete.
Demonstrate your continued interest in attending this college
Colleges also want to admit students who will definitely enroll in their institution. So, it is important to continue to show interest in the school, even though you are disappointed. You will clearly show interest by taking the initiative to find out why you were deferred and by submitting additional materials before the college asks you to.
You can also ask to do a phone interview, visit the school (only if you live close enough for it not be a great expense) and send an email or two (don’t send too many) to the admissions officer in charge of your application. Resist the temptation to engage in gimmicky, silly things like sending cookies to the admissions office.
By the end of January, you should check in again with the college and make sure they have all the information they need to make a final decision on your application. Again, this is best done through the admissions officer who is directly in charge of your file.
Does being deferred mean I have a better chance of being admitted later?
Not necessarily. While most colleges try to defer applicants who they think have a good shot at admission in the regular round, reality is that some colleges are using the deferred status as a security blanket. They don’t want to reject qualified applicants until the last possible moment. This also means that, unfortunately, you could be put on the waiting list.
Should I apply to additional schools if my application is deferred?
If you did not have a balanced college list before receiving your deferral, then you should definitely apply to additional schools. If you were deferred from this school, it is possible that you may not be admitted to schools with a similar profile–especially if your grades and submitted test scores are well below the average admissions profile. Review your list to ensure that you have an adequate number of “target” and “likely” schools.
Remember that this decision is not permanent. A deferral just means you will have to wait a bit longer. You will eventually receive a final decision on your application. We are hoping you receive the answer you desire!
Ready to begin the college admissions journey?
The team at Great College Advice has deep experience in guiding students along the road from high school to college. If you’d like more information about our services, contact us for a free consultation. Or just pick up the phone and call us at 720.279.7577. We’d be happy to chat with you.
