What are the odds of getting in if you are deferred?

Some estimates say that most colleges will accept at least 5-10% of deferred students in regular decision pools. Others estimate that the deferral acceptance rate is often approximately equal to the regular decision acceptance rate.

How likely is it to get accepted after being deferred?

An applicant's overall chances are similar after being deferred or waitlisted. About 10% of deferred applicants and about 10% of waitlisted applicants ultimately get in.

Do I have a chance if I'm deferred?

Being deferred from college doesn't mean you've been denied acceptance. Being waitlisted means you are on a list reserve because spots are filled. Very selective colleges defer as many as 70-80% of early applicants. If you take important steps, you still have a chance for admissions.

Is a deferral basically a rejection?

What is a Deferred College Admissions Decision? A deferral means the college wants to review your application again with the regular decision pool of applicants. While it might feel like a rejection, a deferral is not a denial, nor does it mean there was something wrong with your application.

Is it better to be deferred or waitlisted?

If you are waitlisted, you remain in a state of uncertainty without the guarantee of being reconsidered. While deferral status requires you to wait longer for a decision, it gives you an opportunity to strengthen your application before the regular decision round.

What to Do if You Get Deferred

How do you increase chances after being deferred?

Is getting deferred from an Ivy good?

A deferral is simply an indication that the admissions committee intends to evaluate your application in the regular decision round—your hopes of attending your dream school may still be realized.

Does getting deferred hurt your chances?

You might feel like you've been rejected if you receive a deferral, but all it means is that your application will be reviewed again in the Regular Decision round. There is nothing wrong with your application, but you may need to submit more information to the admissions committee.

Do colleges defer overqualified students?

While there is some anecdotal evidence that overqualified students get rejected, these students aren't usually turned down because of their better-than-average grades or test scores. Most likely, the overqualified student isn't the right fit for a school or they haven't shown enough interest to admission officers.

What are good reasons for deferral?

How do you stand out after being deferred?

Why did I get deferred and not rejected?

A student is deferred when they've applied through Early Action or Early Decision and college admissions officers decide that there isn't enough information or context to grant them a full acceptance. Rather than reject the student, the application is essentially put on pause until the regular decision admission cycle.

Do deferred applicants have an advantage?

For many students, this can be an advantage, as the Regular Decision pool is typically not as strong as the early pools. A deferral also provides students the opportunity to show an improvement in grades, especially if they're taking a challenging senior year course load.

How many people get deferred then accepted to Harvard?

Historically, about 10% of students who Harvard defers ultimately earn admission in Regular Decision. While this data point can vary from year to year, it's rarely released by the school. But, over the years, Ivy Coach's sources in Harvard's admissions office have confirmed that 10% is the general rule of thumb.

Can you be waitlisted after being deferred?

If you receive a deferral letter, it means the school will review your application again at a later date and decide to accept, decline, or waitlist you at that time.

How do you write a letter to colleges after being deferred?

​​How to format a letter of continued interest

First, begin with “Dear [the name of the college admissions officer you are writing to].” Then, thank them for their consideration. Explain that you are still interested in attending their school and that this school is your first choice.

Do most deferred students get accepted?

Some estimates say that most colleges will accept at least 5-10% of deferred students in regular decision pools. Others estimate that the deferral acceptance rate is often approximately equal to the regular decision acceptance rate. However, these estimates are overarching and don't apply to all schools.

Why are colleges deferring so many students?

Deferring the application to the regular decision candidate pool gives admissions officers more time to thoroughly review it. Sometimes, a deferral means admissions officers want to wait and see how the student's academic performance shapes up in their senior year of high school.

What to do if you are deferred from a college?

Is deferred worse than waitlisted?

A deferred applicant will be considered again before any reconsideration is provided to a waitlisted applicant. As such, being waitlisted at a school is worse than a deferral because the institution has decided not to admit you unless other applicants decline their admission offer and seats become available.

Why am I getting deferred so much?

Colleges defer students because they are not ready to make a final decision, may have had a large number of early applications or may expect a large number of applications in the Regular Decision round and want to keep spots open for the right candidates. It does not mean an automatic rejection at all.

Is deferment a good idea?

Deferment also typically pauses your interest, making it a better choice than forbearance. However, neither plan is an ideal long-term solution.

Why does Harvard defer so many applicants?

When you apply in the early action pool, Harvard will deny, defer, or accept your application. Getting “deferred” just means that Harvard still thinks you're pretty neat-o and wants to look at your application again during the regular decision pool.

What to do after being deferred by Harvard?

However, if you are able to supplement your application with additional extracurricular achievements, continued perfect grades, and/or improved test scores, you may elevate your profile to one that can get you accepted in the RD pool. Extracurricular achievements are the most important things in this situation.

How many colleges should you apply too?

In general, most students apply to between 8 and 12 colleges. This is a good range to aim for, provided that the applications you submit represent a broad variety of colleges. Ideally, you want to apply to at least two safety, four target, and two reach schools.