By Elizabeth LaScala, PhD
Students who apply early decision (ED) or early action (EA) to their top choice school may receive news of a deferral and feel disappointed. Unlike acceptance and rejection, you are left with uncertainty. So let’s examine deferral more closely.
Deferred students should handle the result in objective, constructive ways. Know that just a short time ago relatively few students were deferred during the early round, if they were a good match for the school. As more students apply early, however, the trend toward deferral is on the rise. Deferral means that the college believes you are a strong applicant, but wishes to reserve a final decision until your application can be reevaluated in the larger pool. While you wait, there are constructive steps to take.
Follow instructions from the admissions department such as submission of mid-year grades. Keep your grades up, since students may be deferred because the school wants to see mid-semester grades.
Consider contacting the admissions officer in charge of your application. Ask if s/he can offer specific reasons for deferral and use the information to strengthen any shortcomings you can control for applications still to be submitted. Remember, you can create alternative versions of your Common Application.
Review your college list and be sure it is well balanced by admission probability. If it is not, check in with your advisor about how to avoid rejections during the regular decision cycle.
Continue active involvement in your extracurricular activities.
Do not pester the college, but do keep them informed about any NEW information that may strengthen your application, such as an honor or award you receive.
Although not the best news, deferral is not a rejection. Maintain a positive outlook and move ahead with your other applications. If you have a well-matched and balanced college list, you will have good, interesting options in the spring; then you will be in a position to choose!
