You’ve Been Deferred. Now What?

 

You’ve done everything right— spent countless hours perfecting your application, studying for tests, and immersing yourself in volunteer work and extracurriculars. You hit “submit,” and have been waiting in anticipation for that acceptance letter. But instead of a “yes” or “no,” you got the dreaded deferral. Now what?

 

First, take a deep breath! Getting deferred can feel like a setback, but it’s important to remember that a deferral is not a rejection.

 

What does it mean to be deferred?

A deferral means that the college has decided to revisit your application during the regular decision review period. Being deferred indicates that your application was strong enough to remain in the running for further consideration by the admissions committee. A deferral is not an acceptance or denial of admission, but simply a hold on your application for later review.

 

Here are three first steps to take if you have received a deferral notification from your university:

 

1. Read the deferral notice and follow any specific instructions from the university. Each school will provide specific instructions for your next steps once deferred. Some colleges will request that you log into your portal and accept your deferral to demonstrate that you still want to be considered during their regular review. Other colleges will want your first semester grades. Some allow you to send a Letter of Continued Interest, or LOCI, to be included with your application. For example, University of Pennsylvania students who are deferred or placed on the wait list are asked to send a one-page letter including any updates to their grades or accomplishments since their initial application submission and information as to why they are still excited about UPenn. This letter must be formally submitted through the portal. 

 

2. Submit a letter of continued interest. Even if the school does not require a letter of continued interest (LOCI), we recommend submitting one if the college will accept it. A compelling letter of interest emphasizes your excitement about the possibility of still being accepted at that university and can provide key updates to your application. For instance, historically, Tufts University has not required applicants to submit any additional application materials once they have been deferred, and deferred students are automatically placed in the regular decision applicant pool. However, they do encourage students to demonstrate their continued interest. A LOCI is a great way to do this!

 

When reaching out to the admissions office with a letter of continued interest there are a few key points to remember:

 

• Keep a positive, upbeat, and professional tone. Reiterate your interest in the university and that you are still hoping to become a future student there. Offer specific examples of why you believe this school is the best fit for you.

• Update Accomplishments. Describe to the admissions committee your increase in GPA, or upward trajectory in grades and test scores if applicable. You could also share information about a recent school project you enjoyed that is related to your intended major. In addition to academic updates, be sure to include any recent extracurricular achievements, like being nominated as team captain or winning an award. 

• Provide further context to your application if needed. If you feel there was something included in your application that you could provide more details on, such as a challenging home or school situation that caused unexpected or excessive stress, explain this. You can also include additional information about your class schedule and extracurricular activities. Maybe you didn’t take AP Physics senior year because the teacher for AP Physics left midway through the last school year. Or, you stopped playing Trombone because your mom got a new job and could no longer drive you to and from the required practice times. Admissions offices will take into consideration these specific personal or academic circumstances.

 

3. Get excited about the other schools you have applied to. If there are any schools on your college list that you have not yet submitted your applications to, finish and submit them as soon as possible! Start researching the other schools you are considering. The deferral is not a definite no, but it is a good idea to begin seriously considering your “backup” options. Stay proactive with your other applications. Continue visiting campuses, connecting with admissions representatives, and demonstrating general interest at other institutions. It’s important to keep your options open.

 

Receiving a deferral from your top-choice school can be disappointing, but it’s important to remember that this isn’t the final word. There’s still plenty of time to shape the outcome, and by following these steps, you’ll put yourself in the best position. Whether you are accepted by your deferred school or fall in love with another great option, stay proactive, stay positive, and know that everything will fall into place. 

 

At Premium Prep, we specialize in helping students navigate deferrals, crafting compelling LOCIs, and refining their college applications. Don’t face this alone—contact us today and take the next step with confidence.