What happens if I get deferred?

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.

How likely is it to get accepted after being 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. However, these estimates are overarching and don't apply to all schools.

Is getting deferred a good thing?

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.

What should you do if you get deferred?

Is it better to get rejected or deferred?

One step better than a rejection is a deferral. Students should think of deferral as a 'maybe'. Sometimes early admission college applicants are neither accepted nor rejected. Instead, the applicants are held until the general application deadline has passed.

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Do people who get deferred usually get in?

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.

Does getting deferred hurt your chances?

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 it better to be waitlisted or deferred?

In general, you can assume that your odds are better if you've been deferred rather than waitlisted. Deferred students are reconsidered during the regular decision round and should have about the same chance as other regular decision applicants.

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 I have to reapply after deferral?

As a deferred applicant, you will usually be reevaluated with the Regular Decision applicants automatically. Some schools may ask that you submit more information or a letter stating your continued interest in the school. Make sure you read the deferral letter very carefully so you can follow all instructions!

What are reasons for deferred?

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.

How do you stand out after being deferred?

Do colleges defer overqualified students?

It's important to note that most of the stories and rumors surrounding overqualified students getting rejected are anecdotal. No school has actually admitted to turning down students because they are overqualified.

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.

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 are so many students getting deferred?

Colleges defer applications for several reasons. In some cases, a deferral indicates that the admissions department isn't ready to make a final decision about a candidate. Deferring the application to the regular decision candidate pool gives admissions officers more time to thoroughly review it.

How do you increase chances after being deferred?

Can you get scholarship after being deferred?

Taking a gap year before college does not affect your ability to apply for financial aid in the future. Merit-based scholarships generally do not change if you defer your enrollment a year. Need-based grants and scholarships tend to only be affected if your family's financial situation changes during your gap year.

Why do colleges defer students?

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 it good to be deferred from an Ivy?

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.

How long can you defer college acceptance?

It's a way to defer, or push back, your entry to college. For example, if you're admitted to the fall semester, you can defer your admission to the following fall. Deferral is usually for a year or less. Many students defer so they can take a break from studies after high school.

Is it bad to be deferred by Harvard?

Being deferred by Harvard does not mean that you are not a strong candidate for an elite school. If you were totally unqualified, they would have rejected you, but being in a pool of thousands of deferred students isn't too reassuring either.

What happens if you defer college?

If you choose admission deferment to your college of choice, you are choosing to wait to start school for a certain amount of time (usually a year). You're not giving up your acceptance. In fact, deferring admission means you are still technically enrolled in college. You're just putting your start date on hold.